If you do this, keep an eye on the tip because they will jam there too - a small slot screwdriver is handy to clean them out. If you are getting clogs, you can put a post through the nozzle (a bolt), which will limit the size of the rocks (flat ones seem to be the worst). Darn thing should suck up sand and small rocks (and gold). Make sure you are pulling the pump handle to the top, so you dirt is taken above the check valve. Sometimes people put a screw into the check valve flap to give it extra weight to help it close. Confirm the check valve can close completely. Make sure it is not clogged with rocks somewhere, including the tip of the nozzle and the hose to the bucket. Also, make sure there is no air leak at any of the joints. For sure, if you have a leather seal, put it into water for a day. The advise in this thread has been good, but maybe take it a step at a time. I have not used that particular brand, but most function about the same.

I suggest you do some trouble shooting before scrapping it. I figured the bucket would fill up in 10-20 pumps. I had to cut my losses after basically wasting an hour and go with my trusty shovel. Both custom nozzles would get a rock stuck in it literally every 10 seconds. Dump the water out.and it would barely have anything maybe a 3rd full was the best I did. I would think ok, it has to be nearly full by now. There was plenty of dirt and small gravel where I was pumping but it seemed like only water was going thru the hose. My main reason for disappointment was the amount of material I was actually getting. BGT,5g bucket, Pump, and Shovel is a bit much to carry at once, a handle would help. The lid wont go on but I can toss it inside of my 5g bucket and its no big deal, but the pump itself could use something.

The hose can be wound up to fit in the small bucket with the accessories. There needs to be a handle of some sort on the base of the pump to give you a stronger pumping action. It is very awkward to handle all the way around. Disappointed.Im sure some was user error but I was not able to get material the way I thought I would be able to.

Manual hand dredge with bucket