How does the cutter suction dredger's reamer turn?

As we watch dredgers move along rivers and canals, we can see the arms of the dredger's hull moving back and forth. What we may not realize is that there is a critical component of the dredger's system that causes this movement to happen: the cutterhead.

The cutterhead, located at the end of the dredger's hull, is a circular disk with protruding teeth that resemble a saw blade. The cutterhead's primary function is to break up the sediment on the bottom of the body of water and carry it through the dredger for deposition. But how does this component move?

The cutterhead moves thanks to a system of joints that connect it to the dredger's hull. These joints, also called hinges, allow the cutterhead to tilt and rotate, letting it break up sediment at different angles and efficiently move it through the machine. The hinges are typically hydraulic and can be controlled by the dredger operator in the cockpit of the machine.

The cutterhead, like all critical dredger components, undergoes tremendous stress during operation. As it moves through the water, the teeth on the blade encounter solid sediments that can damage the cutterhead. As a result, cutterheads are made from high-strength materials, such as steel alloys, that can withstand significant wear and tear and resist corrosion from prolonged water exposure.

In addition to being made from durable materials, the cutterhead is also designed to be easily replaceable. Oftentimes cutterheads will be replaced with a spare while the original is being repaired to minimize downtime and keep the dredger operational.

In conclusion, the cutterhead is a vital component that allows a dredger to effectively remove sediment from rivers and canals. The components' hinges allow it to move freely with the machine, breaking up sediment with ease thanks to its durable material design. Ultimately, these frequently maintained components keep our waterways functioning properly while providing cost-effective solutions to industries utilizing our rivers and canals.