Dredging is a critical industry to keep waterways navigable. There are several reasons waterways need to be dredged. It could be a new waterway which needs to be deepened or a contaminated waterway that is need of remediation. Over time waterways will fill with silt and debris which needs maintenance to keep them to certain depths. There are several dredging techniques which dredgers use to accomplish this dredging. Cutterhead, suction, and mechanical dredging are several of the techniques which can be utilized; each has its place and its purpose. This document will focus on mechanical dredging.
Mechanical dredging is dredging by use of buckets to remove rocks, sediment, and debris from the surface of a waterway. Mechanical dredging typical require three main pieces:
The two main options when using mechanical dredging are cable vs. hydraulic and each has their pros and cons.
Cable cranes typically will have a much larger operating capacity allowing for much larger buckets to be used. Cable operated buckets are most commonly used on two rope cable cranes and can be over 60 cubic yards weighing over 100,000 pounds. The equipment for cable operations is very expensive. These buckets rely on the weight of the bucket and number of sheaves for its digging power.
PRO’S
CON’S
Hydraulic cylinders power hydraulically operated clamshell buckets. Hydraulic machines, such as a material handler will have much less operating capacity than a cable crane, meaning smaller buckets will have to be used. These buckets are typically in the 3 to 6 cubic yard range. Hydraulic machines have a faster cycle time than a cable crane, and the operator is also able to push the bucket into the material. These machines typically max out at around 50ft digging depth with extensions. The limiting factor on the size of these buckets is the operating capacity of the machine. An Anvil model HC5 3 yard bucket weighs about 6,000 pounds. Dredge material typically weighs about 120 pounds per cubic foot. This means the total weight of the bucket and material is 14,748 pounds. The most common size material handler has an operating capacity of between 10,000 and 14,000 pounds when fully extended down and then out.
PRO’S
Cons
This will illustrate the difference in tons per cycle between a 4-yard hydraulic bucket and a 12-yard cable bucket. This is estimating 120 pounds per cubic weight of the material.
ANVIL HC5-400 4 YARD HYDRAULIC BUCKET
ANVIL RN-1200 12 YARD 2 ROPE CABLE BUCKET
There are several options when selecting a cable clamshell bucket for dredging. The two most popular types are a Round Nose style bucket and a General Purpose style bucket. Round Nose and General Purpose buckets are very similar in design, weight, and the number of sheaves; the main difference is the bowl corners on a Round Nose bucket are rounded. This allows for better penetration in harder material. A Round Nose bucket does require more labor for manufacturing therefor; the cost will be higher than a General Purpose Bucket. When choosing which style bucket, it is important to consider the density of the material that will be dredged.
For environmental dredging applications, a cable level cut bucket is the preferred style of bucket. Cable Level buckets close within plus or minus 2 inches and do not scoop like a traditional clamshell bucket. This allows for the removal of only the contaminated sediment. An environmental level cut bucket will also have features such as a low turbidity design and baffles to contain sediment while releasing water.
Cable Dredging Bucket Models:
RN - Round Nose Dredging Bucket
GP - General Purpose Dredging Bucket
CLC - Cable Level Cut Dredging Bucket
Hydraulic clamshell dredging buckets come in many sizes and styles to fit your needs. These buckets are typically sized to the maximum capacity of the machine which they are attached. These buckets range in size from a ½ cubic yard to over 15 cubic yards capacities. The main difference from a standard hydraulic bucket and a hydraulic dredging bucket is that the dredging buckets must have sealed cylinders and a sealed rotator to prevent water and debris from entering the hydraulic systems.
A level cut environmental dredging bucket makes a level cut plus or minus one inch. It also features low turbidity designs and baffles to contain the sediments while allowing water to flow out.
Hydraulic Dredging Bucket Models:
Not as common as the other style, electro-hydraulic dredging buckets are sometimes used for dredging. These buckets feature sealed electric motors which power the hydraulic system. An electric cable, usually on a spool is required to power the bucket while in operation.
There are several options available for dredging buckets, these include:
Environmental dredging is a special industry which requires special equipment. Environment dredging buckets are available in cable and hydraulic operated design. The features which make a clamshell bucket an environmental bucket are “level cut.” This means when the bucket closed; it is level within a couple of inches, it does not “scoop” like a traditional bucket. This allows the operator to only remove the top layer of contaminated sediment. A low turbidity design is important as this prevents the bucket from stirring up the surrounding sediment as the bucket operates. Another important feature is baffles which keep the sediment in the bucket but allows water to escape.
Level Cut Dredging Bucket:
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