Coupling Selection for the Drivelineĭisc couplings are the primary couplings chosen for driving a dredge pump on a ladder dredge. In addition to operating reliably in a harsh environment, the installation of the driveline needs to be efficient and cost effective. The driveline needs to operate under conditions with periodic shock loading, dynamically changing misalignment, and a sandy, abrasive underwater environment. During operation, the driveline faces a harsh environment just like the dredge pump. The driveline allows mechanical power to be transferred from the engine or motor to the dredge pump. Ladder Dredge: Driveline Considerations for the Dredge Pump If the dredge is a ladder design with the pump on the ladder, the driveline design will require torque tubes with couplings on either end of the tubes supported by bearings, all suitable for underwater usage. If the dredge is in-hull, there are several options: use a direct drive through a gearbox use a marine transmission or use a belt drive. Selecting the Drive SystemĪfter the style of dredge and pump are determined, the driveline can be selected. Along with the material going through the pumps, which act like aggressive sandblasters, there can also be large rocks, tree branches and other miscellaneous material that can impact the pumps. In-hull pumps have cleaner environments on the outside, but the environments the pumps experience on the inside are just as harsh. Underwater pumps operate in wet, dirty environments with sand and grit often surrounding the pumps.

How to setup a dredging pump