Abstract: A dredge and spud apparatus provides a dredge or hull or floating tank. The hull supports one or more spuds. An interface mounts each spud to the hull. The interface includes a frame attached to the hull and a carriage supported by the frame for movement between a forward position and a rear position. The hull can support one or more dredge components. The hull can be a barge. The carriage can be moved from the forward position to the rear position (or from the rear position to the forward position) in order to change position of the hull or floating tank relative to the spuds when the spuds are anchored to the water bed, sea bed, lake bed, river bed, etc. The interface includes inner and outer links, at least one link being powered to move between forward and rear positions.

Abstract: A wide format dredge apparatus provides a floating vessel or hull with one or more anchor lines, anchors or spuds that enable an operator to hold the hull in a selected locale. Port and starboard booms extend in generally opposite directions from the hull. An elongated ladder is pivotally attached to the hull. The ladder is configured to swing between port and starboard positions. Port and starboard swing devices are rigged to the booms. When the ladder swings to the port position, the starboard swing device is lengthened and the port swing device is shortened. When the ladder swings to the starboard position, the port swing device is lengthened and the starboard swing device is shortened. Each swing cable spans from a boom at a position spaced away from the hull to the outer end portion of the ladder. A lifting device is provided for raising and lowering the ladder. A float or tank travels along the ladder. The float or tank at least partially supports the ladder.

Abstract: A dredge apparatus with an improved cutter includes a hull, a boom extending from the hull, and a cutter element rotatably mounted at the free end of the boom. The cutter element is positioned adjacent a suction line that is supported by the boom. The improved cutter element includes a plurality of rings having large open central portions for transmitting material to the suction. At least a pair of rings are spaced apart, one of the rings being supported using a rotary hub and spokes to a drive shaft. The external periphery of each of the rings carries three circumferentially spaced helical vanes. The helical vanes extend circumferentially and from ring to ring beginning at a front ring and ending at a rear ring which is adjacent the boom. Each of the vanes is "V-shaped" in transverse cross section providing a concave and a convex vane surface. The concave surface of each vane faces the suction line. The convex surface of each vane faces the front of the cutter element.