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you’ve got a massive project, a reliable excavator, and a Tussu Submersible Dredging Pump ready to move some serious sediment. You’re not just moving dirt anymore; you’re reclaiming land, cleaning ponds, or desilting a harbor.
But how do you marry these two heavy-duty machines? At Tussu Pump, we know that a sloppy connection leads to downtime. Here is your step-by-step guide to rigging your excavator for dredging dominance.
1. The Mechanical Marriage: Mounting the Pump
First things first: the pump needs to stay put. Most Tussu dredging pumps are designed to replace the bucket.
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The Adapter Plate: You’ll need a custom or semi-universal mounting bracket (adapter plate). This plate pins directly into the excavator’s arm (stick) using the standard bucket pins or a quick-coupler system.
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Alignment: Ensure the pump is centered. If it’s off-balance, it’ll create unnecessary torque on your arm bushings.
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The “Tussu Edge”: We often recommend a swivel joint if your project requires complex maneuvering. This prevents the hoses from kinking when you rotate the pump head.
2. Powering the Beast: Hydraulic Integration
Your excavator is a giant hydraulic power pack on tracks. To run a Tussu pump, you’ll tap into the Auxiliary Hydraulic Circuit (the same lines used for hammers or shears).
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The Flow & Pressure Match: Check your excavator’s specs. You need to ensure the $L/min$ (flow) and $Bar$ (pressure) match the requirements of the pump’s hydraulic motor.
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Too little flow? The pump won’t reach the necessary RPM to create suction.
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Too much flow? You risk blowing the seals.
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The Third Line (Case Drain): This is critical! Most high-performance dredging pumps require a case drain line to return excess pressure from the motor housing back to the tank. Do not skip this, or you’ll be buying a new motor sooner than you think.
3. The Plumbing: Discharge Hoses
Now that the pump is spinning, where is the sludge going?
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The Connection: Use a heavy-duty, reinforced flexible hose for the first 10–20 meters. This allows the excavator arm to move freely without snapping the line.
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The Pathing: Secure the discharge hose along the excavator arm using heavy-duty clamps or “saddles.” Leave enough slack at the joints (the “elbow” of the excavator) so the hose doesn’t stretch or pinch when the arm is fully extended or retracted.
4. Optional but Vital: The Cutter Head or Water Jets
If you’re dealing with compacted clay or thick sludge, the pump alone might need a “wingman.”
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Mechanical Cutters: These are powered by the same hydraulic system and physically break up the material before it enters the suction intake.
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Jetting Rings: If you prefer high-pressure water, you’ll need to run a separate water line down the arm to a nozzle ring around the pump intake.
Pro-Tips for the Operator
Watch Your Depth: Even though it’s a submersible pump, keep an eye on your hydraulic hose lengths. You don’t want to over-extend and pull a fitting loose underwater.
The Slurry Mix: Dredging is a dance. If you bury the pump head too deep in the mud, you’ll clog it. If it’s too high, you’re just pumping water. Listen to the engine—it’ll tell you when you’ve hit that “sweet spot” of 30-50% solids.
Why Choose Tussu?
At Tussu Pump, we don’t just build pumps; we build solutions for the toughest environments on earth. Our submersible dredging pumps are engineered with high-chrome wear parts to handle sand, gravel, and sludge without breaking a sweat.
Ready to upgrade your fleet? Contact our engineering team today to find the perfect pump-to-excavator match for you. Let’s get to work!
