PSA: A sudden silt surge nearly took out my cutter head in Mobile Bay

We were pulling a 14-inch line about 300 yards offshore when the density meter spiked from 1.2 to over 1.8 in seconds. The whole dredge shuddered and the engine load redlined, so I had to kill the pump and reverse the ladder to clear it before the shaft could bind. Has anyone else hit a hidden silt pocket like that and what's your go-to move to save the gear?

3 comments

3 Comments

wesley_jones18d ago

Man that sounds rough but honestly, is it really a "surge"? Sounds like you just hit a bad patch of mud. Gear can handle a lot.

vera_lewis218d ago

Seen that everywhere lately. Systems pushed past their limits.

spencer_owens5818d ago

Pushed past their limits" feels a bit strong. Things are strained, sure, but broken? I see a lot of complaining online but not much actual collapse.

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