5 Portable Rock Crusher Options For Gold Prospecting

Portable Rock Crushers are machines and hand tools meant to crush rocks into dust to find ores such as gold. Previously, many prospectors had to painstakingly wait for gold easy to obtain gold from the streams and rivers that washed up through erosion and other natural means.  So using a rock crusher today helps expedite the chances for paydirt.

Utilizing portable rock crushers allows prospectors to process rocks immediately from their camp or vehicle instead of waiting until later. Below are some of the best portable rock crushers available, along with their benefits and features.

5 Portable Rock Crushers For Gold Prospecting

Keene G-Force Rock Crusher

Keene G-Force Portable Rock Crusher

This machine is a vertical rock crusher that gravity feeds rock into a high-speed tube that smashes it into a hardened steel impact wall and then into a five-gallon sealed bucket chamber which helps keep the dust low. It is 85lbs, so a bit hefty but it is still small enough to move it where it needs to go, including in the field.

The best part about the Keene Portable Rock Crusher is that it will pass uncrushable particles without damage to the machine, and it can grind up to 2 tons worth of rock in an hour.

Highlighted Features:

  • Lightweight
  • Economical
  • High-Speed
  • Low Dust

Keene Trailer Mounted Rock Crusher

Keene Trailer Mounted Rock Crusher

The Keene Trailer Mount Rock Crusher is a larger machine yet still portable because of the convenient trailer. This rock crusher comes already mounted to a trailer, making it easy to move around despite its weight. It is gas-powered with a double roller mill that helps create finer crushes in a single pass. Keep in mind, is pricier due to its capabilities.  However, it can process more rock faster than many other portable machines, making it possible for more paydirt. 

Highlighted Features:

  • Trailer Mounted
  • Double Roller

The CrazyCrusher Rock Crusher

This is a small rock crusher that’s perfect for hobbyists looking to break down smaller rocks. It’s also great for testing and finding suitable prospecting areas before bringing out heavier equipment.

The great thing is that it can crush rocks with relative ease. It takes up to three passes to get powder-fine materials, but it can start with rocks that are 2-inches in diameter, which some automated rock crushers are not capable of doing.

Highlighted Features:

  • 100% Steel
  • Handheld
  • Adjustable Jaw

Cobra Crusher For Sampling & Testing

small portable rock crusherrock crusher attachment

This rock crusher is small compared to others and weighs 10lbs, but it is perfect for sampling.  Plus, the Cobra Crusher has two options: it can attach to seven amps at 110v or connect to an 18v+ battery.

Also, this portable and powerful rock crusher can process a 1-inch rock in seconds and is made from all-steel construction, making it highly durable for extended periods. 

Another unique element of the Cobra Crusher is that the gold ends up rolled up and rounded instead of left in flakes where it can be washed away by accident, so it’s also great for using in a final pass.

Highlighted Features: 

  • 100% Steel
  • Lightweight
  • Battery Powered
  • Gold is rolled and rounded instead of left in flakes

Small Aluminum Alloy Mortar Pestle

Small Aluminum Alloy Mortar Pestle Rock-Ore Crusher

The Alloy Mortar and Pestle is a relatively small rock crusher most useful for hand-crushing small rocks to get samples for field testing. It’s strong despite its 1lb 4oz weight and is great for quick studies and hobbyists, especially those on a tight budget or those just getting started in the world of prospecting.

It’s also so light it works great when taking camping or cursory looks around an area before going in with heavier equipment due to not adding much to a personal pack.

Highlighted Features:

  • Cheap
  • Durable
  • Lightweight
  • Small

Cast Iron Mortar Pestle

Cast Iron Miners Mortar and Pestle for Ore and Rock Samples

The Cast Iron Mortar and Pestle are more durable because of the cast iron and can easily handle crushing rocks. It weighs roughly 5 lbs, so it is a little bit more to a pack than the previous option, but its added weight takes less effort to crush the rocks and, therefore, a better option for someone who is not quite as strong.

Highlighted Features:

  • Cheap
  • Lightweight
  • Durable
  • Small

Portable Heavy Duty Rock And Ore Pulverizer

Portable Rock Crusher for Gold Prospecting

This portable rock crusher is made of high-strength solid steel, coated with a black finish for extra rust, and is corrosion-resistant.  The diameter of the pipe is approximately 2.1 inches wide.    The base plate is 1/2 inch thick for stability and durability.  The hammer/plunger weighs around 4 lbs.

Highlighted Features:

  • Easily crush or pulverize rocks and glass
  • No electricity or battery is necessary
  • Simple to use:  lift the plunger and crush rocks within cylinder

How to Choose the Best Rock Crusher for Gold Prospecting

Choosing the best rock crusher for gold prospecting depends on how much rock you need to process and pulverize.

If the plan is to go through tons of rock, purchasing a heavy-duty machine that can quickly process more rock will be much better than attempting to use a small handheld rock crusher. However, if gold prospecting is a hobby, selecting a smaller and cheaper option can suit your needs just fine. 

There’s also the issue of rock crushers often kicking up a lot of dust or requiring a lot of power; prospectors should consider this when selecting a suitable machine for their specific needs.

Keep in mind; it is also beneficial to find a smaller rock crusher to test new locations for the potential of paydirt.

Conclusion

There is a selection of suitable rock crushers available to suit various needs, from sampling to processing for a shop. The smallest portable rock crushers are hand-powered and great for hobbyists, while others are big and already mounted onto trailers for prospectors to transport behind their vehicles easily. 

For more gold prospecting help and tips, check out some of the other popular posts:

3 Best Highbankers & Power Sluice Options With Reviews

9 Gold Detecting Tips For Finding More Gold With A Metal Detector

5 Portable Sluice Box Kits For Ultimate Gold Hunting Success

Portable Rock Crushers References

Rock Crushers

Why Crush Rock?

Rock Crushers