A spud system for a dredging vessel with a longitudinal direction includes a spud carrier for mounting a spud therein in a vertical stance and which spud carrier is moveable with respect to the dredging vessel in a longitudinal direction for advancing the dredging vessel, a spud carrier drive system coupled with the dredging vessel and the spud carrier for driving the spud carrier with respect to the dredging vessel. The spud carrier drive system includes a hydraulic drive cylinder for controlling the position of the spud carrier. The spud system further comprises a hydraulic system comprising a parallel hydraulic cylinder in fluid parallel connection with the hydraulic drive cylinder and presstressing means coupled with a rod of the parallel hydraulic cylinder such that said rod is forced towards a central position.

A vessel (1) includes a spud (10), a spud lifting device (20) and a plurality of spud guiders (30). The spud guiders (30) are arranged to hold the spud (10) in a substantial vertical orientation and guide the spud (10) when moving in a substantial vertical direction between a lower position in which it can engage with a water bottom and an upper position. The spud lifting device (20) is arranged to lift the spud (10) from the lower position to the upper position. The vessel (1) further includes a spud position detector (40) to detect passage of the lower end (11) of the spud (10) along one or more spud detection points at predetermined heights.

A hydraulic manifold may be used with a dredge. The hydraulic manifold may have a body with a mounting surface, a front surface located opposite the mounting surface, a top surface located between the mounting and front surfaces, a bottom surface located opposite the top surface, and end surfaces located opposite each other and connecting the mounting, front, top, and bottom surfaces. The manifold may also have at least one drain port and at least one supply port in at least one of the end surfaces, at least one valve port in the top surface, at least one consumer port in the top surface, and at least one transponder port in the bottom surface.

A watercraft propulsion system for moving a watercraft along a waterway having a bottom and a surface, wherein the watercraft presents a port side and a starboard side. The watercraft propulsion system comprises a boom assembly having a proximal end and a distal end, with the proximal end being rotatably coupled with the watercraft. The watercraft additionally comprises a wheel mounted to the distal end of the boom. The wheel includes at least one generally radially-extending blade assembly, with the blade assembly comprising a primary blade and a secondary blade. The secondary blade extends at an angle with respect to the primary blade so as to present a fluid channel between the primary blade and the secondary blade.

The invention relates to a spud system for a dredging vessel with a longitudinal direction, which spud system comprises; a spud carrier for mounting a spud therein in a vertical stance and which spud carrier is mounted for limited rotation around a horizontal transverse axis and is moveable with respect to the dredging vessel in a longitudinal direction for advancing the dredging vessel, and a spud carrier drive system coupled with the dredging vessel and the spud carrier for driving the spud carrier with respect to the dredging vessel.

Amphibious undercarriage systems, drive systems and work vehicles are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, an amphibious undercarriage system includes a pontoon, a first shaft, a second shaft, a track chain and at least one motor. The pontoon has a first end and a second end and is configured to float atop a liquid body. The first shaft is disposed at the first end of the pontoon. The second shaft is disposed at the second end of the pontoon. The track chain is movably attached to the pontoon so as to travel around the pontoon and moveably engaged with the first shaft and the second shaft. The motor is configured to drive the first shaft to cause the track chain to travel around the pontoon and the second shaft to rotate due to engagement with the track chain.