IMS Dredges is the world's leading supplier of one truck transportable, self-propelled hydraulic dredges and dredging systems for maintaining rivers, lakes, canals, and other inland waterways.

IMS Versi-Dredges are set apart by patented technologies: Starwheel Drive® self-propulsion (no anchors, cables or spuds), the SolidsMaster® auger cutterhead, the WeedMaster® cutterhead and the Pump Defender® self-cleaning debris guard. Every Versi-Dredge is also one-truck transportable when fully assembled, with an optional proprietary Transport-Launch-Retrieve (TLR) trailer available to transport, launch and retrieve the dredge without a crane. Together these let a single operator move, launch and dredge with high maneuverability and minimal downtime, and make the dredge easy to ship and redeploy worldwide. Contact IMS to see which configuration fits your project.

A self-propelled dredge moves itself using IMS’s patented Starwheel Drive paddle wheels, so it needs no anchors, cables, winches or spuds. Cable and spud dredges must be repositioned with shore anchors or pushed along fixed spuds, which is slower, harder to maneuver and can disrupt boat traffic. Self-propulsion lets the operator drive directly to the work area and dredge continuously in tight or busy waterways.

IMS hydraulic dredges dig to different depths by model — the 7012 HP Versi-Dredge reaches a standard maximum dredging depth of 30 ft (9.1 m), while the DM-60 Depth Master is designed for deeper reservoir and port work. The right depth rating depends on your reservoir, channel or pond profile. Share your target depth with IMS and they will match you to the correct model.

The best model depends on water depth, the material you are removing, required production rate and how far you must pump. IMS offers the 4008 LP, 5012 LP and 5012 HP for canals, lakes and lagoons, the high-production 7012 HP for rivers, ports and sand mining, and the DM-60 Depth Master for deep reservoirs. Tell IMS your project details and they will recommend the right configuration.

All IMS Versi-Dredge models are one-truck transportable when fully assembled, which greatly reduces mobilization and demobilization time compared with conventional dredges that ship in pieces — making them ideal for remote sites and multi-location projects. IMS also offers the optional proprietary Transport-Launch-Retrieve (TLR) trailer, which lets a single semi-truck haul, launch and retrieve the dredge with no crane and no disassembly.

An IMS Versi-Dredge can pump a wide range of materials including silt, sand, gravel, mud, clay, sludge and mine tailings, and — with the WeedMaster cutterhead — shredded aquatic vegetation. The abrasion-resistant pump and self-cleaning Pump Defender debris guard let it handle debris-rich and high-solids slurries with minimal downtime. The ideal cutterhead and pump setup is matched to your specific material.

Yes. IMS Dredges is a US manufacturer that designs and builds its Versi-Dredge systems in New Richmond, Wisconsin, in a 75,000 sq ft factory with an adjoining 8,000 sq ft office. The ISO 9001-certified facility has delivered 500+ dredging systems to 60+ countries since 1986. IMS is part of Ellicott Dredge Enterprises, LLC, owned by Markel Group (NYSE: MKL).

IMS Versi-Dredges are used for river and flood-control dredging, canal and irrigation maintenance, lake and reservoir restoration, lagoon and wastewater cleanout, port and marina dredging, sand mining, beach restoration, mine tailings and aquatic vegetation removal. Customers include government waterway agencies, utilities, municipalities, marinas, mining operators, lake associations and dredging contractors. IMS matches the model and cutterhead to your application.