I thought fixing a clogged cutter head would be a quick job on the old dredge.

We were working a stretch of the Mississippi near Baton Rouge when the suction dropped to nothing. Figured it was just a rock jammed in the head, maybe a two hour fix. Got the crane over, pulled it up, and it was clean. The problem was actually about 30 feet back in the 12-inch discharge line. A solid plug of clay and gravel had set up like concrete. Tried rodding it from the deck with no luck. Ended up having to cut a section out with the torch, which meant shutting down the whole operation. From first noticing the drop in flow to getting back online was a full 16-hour shift. Has anyone else had a line blockage that far back from the head? What's your best trick for finding them before they set up hard?

2 comments

2 Comments

nora7351mo ago

Ugh, that's the worst! It's always the hidden problem, not the obvious one, that eats up your whole day.

troy_butler71mo ago

Tell me about it. The sneaky ones always cost you.