Abstract: A liquid inlet adapted to fit over the intake end of a suction hose for a portable dredging machine. The inlet is elbow shaped, having a discharge end mountable to the dredging machine suction hose. The opposite end of the inlet includes a set of spiral-shaped fingers that are powered to rotate in front of an open intake end. The fingers are rotated by a hand-held drive motor on a shaft that passes through a portion of the elbow. The rotating fingers strain material drawn into the elbow and suction hose and deflect material that could otherwise clog the suction hose.