Pro tip: I used to run the cutterhead at full tilt all the time...

For years on the Mississippi, I'd just crank it to max RPM thinking more power meant more material moved. Then about six months ago, an old hand showed me his logs... he'd drop to 70% once the suction was solid and actually increased his daily yardage by almost 15%. The pump wasn't fighting to keep up, and we saved a ton on wear. I tried it on my next shift and the difference in engine strain was crazy. Anyone else tweak their cutter speed based on the material instead of just running it wide open?

2 comments

2 Comments

williams.sage6d ago

Totally get that. Ran a dredge up in Alaska and did the same thing for a long time. Found that backing off to even 60% in really thick clay kept the pump happy and actually moved more muck. The engine just purred instead of screaming.

leo_harris6d ago

Wait, you ran a dredge in Alaska? That's a whole different world of cold...