Microdredging systems comprising a pumping platform and loading platform. In certain embodiments, system operates autonomously and is adapted to allow the loading platform undock from the pumping platform for disposal of the removed sediment.

A method of exposing a buried utility under a roadway by cutting an access hole in the roadway, vacuuming away dirt surrounding the buried utility, and spraying at least one of pressurized water or compressed air into the dirt to loosen the dirt. A vacuum device having a vacuum nozzle, a compressed air nozzle, and a pressurized water nozzle.

A strongarm device for use with a hydro excavation hose includes a support frame configured to carry hydro excavation equipment, a support post having first and second ends, the first end being secured to the support frame, and a boom having a first end and a second end, where the first end is pivotally connected to the second end of the support post and configured for the second end of the boom to rotate relative thereto. In addition, the strongarm device includes a bracket secured to and suspended from the second end of the boom, and a roller secured to the bracket and configured for the hydro excavation hose to roll back and forth over an upper surface of the roller.

A system to drive vacuum equipment on a truck having an engine and a transmission includes a power take-off (PTO) unit configured to be coupled to a PTO port located on a side of the transmission. The system also includes a PTO shaft coupled to the PTO unit, vacuum equipment mounted to the truck, and a first gear box coupled to the PTO shaft and the first gear box configured to transfer power to the vacuum equipment. In addition, the system includes at least one belt coupled to the gear box, where the at least one belt drives additional auxiliary equipment. The additional auxiliary equipment comprises at least one of a water pump and a hydraulic pump, where the hydraulic pump is configured to stop and reverse a flow of hydraulic fluid to stop and reverse a rotational direction of air through the blower.

A system to drive vacuum equipment on a truck having an engine and a transmission includes a power take-off (PTO) unit configured to be coupled to a PTO port located on a side of the transmission. The system also includes a PTO shaft coupled to the PTO unit, vacuum equipment mounted to the truck, and a first gear box coupled to the PTO shaft and the first gear box configured to transfer power to the vacuum equipment. In addition, the system includes at least one belt coupled to the gear box, where the at least one belt drives additional auxiliary equipment. The additional auxiliary equipment comprises at least one of a water pump and a hydraulic pump, where the hydraulic pump is configured to stop and reverse a flow of hydraulic fluid to stop and reverse a rotational direction of air through the blower.

Systems and methods include a wing tool configured to be operable from work vessel(s), the wing tool including thrusters capable of fluidizing sediments from a first seabed location and moving it to a second seabed location, the second seabed location including a trench or differently shaped collection sump previously made by the wing tool and/or an extraction pump. The extraction pump operates from a second work vessel having sufficient capacity to pump fluidized sediments from the trench. Certain systems include a separation unit that separates sand from silts and clays and water from collected sediment. Systems and methods for reclamation of reservoirs, moving sand waves, for pre-trenching and/or recovering marine pipelines and cables, for removing cover from marine archaeological sites and for disposing of contaminated bottom materials in an environmentally acceptable manner.

The invention provides a control system for a construction machine comprises a construction machine and a measuring instrument, wherein the construction machine comprises at least two targets, a tilt detecting component, a driving unit, a machine control unit and a machine communication unit, wherein the measuring instrument comprises a distance measuring unit, an optical axis deflecting unit for deflecting the optical axes, a projecting direction detecting unit for detecting a deflection angle and a deflecting direction and a measurement control unit for determining a measuring point and transmitting a measurement result, wherein the measurement control unit allows the distance measuring unit to alternately measure the targets and calculates a direction and front-back and left-right tilts of the construction machine based on three-dimensional positions of the targets and a detection result of the tilt detecting component, and the machine control unit controls the driving unit based on a calculation result.

A device for the removal of a layer of sludge and/or sand from the bottom of a wetland includes: a diving bell with an open bottom and a lower free edge; a unit for driving the diving bell with its lower edge into the layer of sludge to be removed; a dredge pump installed in the space of the diving bell and provided with an inlet for pumping up the sludge and/or an outlet to which a pipe is connected for pumping the pumped up sludge and/or sand to a collector; and a compressor for pumping gas under pressure into the space of the diving bell during dredging. The diving bell is also provided with a gas outlet for the compressed gas, the gas outlet being adjustable in height in the diving bell because the outlet is attached to a float that can float on the sludge.

Cutting wheel system (1) for a dredging device, comprising a cutting wheel (2) and a cutting wheel drive system (8), whereby the cutting wheel comprises at least two cutting element rings (3), which rings are positioned at a distance from each other in parallel planes whereby the cutting element rings have coaxial rotation axes (12,13), whereby a suction tube (7) can be positioned between the two cutting element rings (3), whereby the cutting wheel drive system is arranged to rotate the cutting wheel about the coaxial rotation axes, wherein the cutting wheel system further comprises connecting arms (9) for mounting the cutting wheel in a rotatable manner to the dredging device, wherein the connecting arms are moveable with respect to each other between a closed position wherein the connecting arms engage the cutting wheel from opposite sides of the cutting wheel, and an open position wherein the cutting wheel is released from the connecting arms.

A boom turret for a debris body. The boom turret includes an inlet defining an inlet axis and configured to couple to a hose. An outlet defining an outlet axis and configured to rotatably couple to the debris body. The inlet axis is substantially orthogonal to the outlet axis and a debris flow path is defined within the boom turret between the inlet and the outlet. A plate is disposed between the inlet and the outlet and has a surface at least partially defining the debris flow path through the boom turret. A nozzle is coupled to the plate and extends into the debris flow path. A pressure vessel is configured to hold a charge of pressurized fluid, and the pressure vessel is coupled in flow communication with the nozzle and selectively releases the charge of pressurized fluid through the nozzle to dislodge accumulated debris within the debris flow path.