Self-Propelled Auger Dredges by IMS
A low-turbidity auger dredge cuts sediment with a horizontal, shrouded cutterhead to create an even bottom profile and pumps it as slurry through a pipeline. IMS Versi-Dredge® auger dredges add the patented Starwheel Drive® self-propulsion system, so they move themselves across the water without cables, spuds or anchors, and they ship on one truck.
IMS is a brand of Ellicott Dredge Enterprises (EDE). More than 600 IMS dredges have been delivered to customers in over 60 countries, and about half of IMS buyers come back for another dredge.
How an IMS auger dredge works
- Shrouded, low-turbidity cutterhead. The SolidsMaster® cutterhead is shrouded on the top and sides, which keeps sediment from spreading into the water column. Replaceable hardened teeth handle a wide range of materials, and a paddlebar option suits materials that slurry easily.
- Ladder-mounted submersible pump. The submerged hydraulic-drive dredge pump rides on the ladder behind the horizontal auger cutterhead. IMS uses ladder-mounted pumps because they pull a higher percentage of solids than hull-mounted pumps.
- Pump Defender® self-cleaning debris guard. The patented Pump Defender cleans the pump inlet with every revolution of the cutterhead and reduces downtime in debris-rich water by up to 80%.
- Joystick controls in a climate-controlled cab. Electronic-over-hydraulic joystick controls, a digital depth gauge and a rear camera keep operation straightforward for one operator.
Why self-propelled matters
The patented Starwheel Drive® paddles the dredge forward into the cut in surface propulsion mode when dredging light and sludgy materials and switches to a bottom-traction mode when dredging sand and more compact sediment deposits. The patented TractionMaster® technology changes speed and torque automatically as the dredge moves from higher rpm paddle mode to positive traction drive bottom propulsion mode.
For lined ponds and lagoons, cable drive infrastructure is built in, so a dredge can be traversed on cables when the liner must not be touched. Cables and anchor plates are sold separately.
One-truck transportable
All Versi-Dredge models are one-truck transportable when fully assembled. The optional, proprietary Transport-Launch-Retrieve (TLR) self-launching trailer lets a semi-truck launch and retrieve the dredge without a crane.
Versi-Dredge auger dredge models
| Model | Engine | Max. dredging depth | Cut (W x D) | Pump discharge | Pump performance (water) | Length | Weight (less fuel) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IMS 4008 LP | 160 HP John Deere diesel | 20 ft (6.0 m) | 96 x 17 in (2,438 x 432 mm) | 8 in (203 mm) | 2,000 gpm @ 65 ft TDH | 39 ft 7 in (12 m) | 22,400 lb (10,160 kg) |
| IMS 5012 LP | 300 HP John Deere diesel | 22 ft (6.7 m) | 108 x 22 in (2,740 x 560 mm) | 12 in (305 mm) | 4,500 gpm @ 65 ft TDH | 42 ft 5 in (12.9 m) | 27,400 lb (12,400 kg) |
| IMS 5012 HP | 375 HP John Deere diesel | 22 ft (6.7 m) | 108 x 22 in (2,740 x 559 mm) | 8 in (203 mm) | 3,500 gpm @ 135 ft TDH | 45 ft 6 in (13.9 m) | 30,500 lb (13,800 kg) |
| IMS 7012 HP | 500 HP John Deere diesel | 30 ft (9.1 m) | 135 x 26 in (3,430 x 660 mm) | 10 in (254 mm) | 5,000 gpm @ 141 ft TDH | 52 ft 6 in (16 m) | 52,000 lb (23,587 kg) |
Specifications subject to change without notice. See the full Versi-Dredge model comparison for additional specifications.
Where IMS auger dredges are used
IMS auger dredges are used wherever sediment has to be removed with little disturbance to the water around it:
- Lagoon dredging: wastewater, industrial and papermill lagoons and ponds
- Mine tailings dredging: tailings ponds and process-water ponds
- Lake and reservoir dredging: restoring depth and capacity
- Canal dredging: irrigation and stormwater canals
- Marina dredging: slips, channels and harbors
- River dredging: channel maintenance and sand recovery
- Sand mining and dredging: sand pits and river sand
- Vegetation dredging: the optional WeedMaster® cutterhead bolts on in place of the SolidsMaster® dredge cutterhead and cuts and pumps hyacinths, reeds, sargassum, milfoil, hydrilla and other vegetation up to 1 km through the pipeline
Shrouded horizontal auger dredges are widely used where turbidity levels matter. Read the data behind this in our article Auger Dredges Cause Less Turbidity than Other Hydraulic Dredges.
What determines the cost of an auger dredge?
IMS quotes each dredge to the project, so this page does not list prices. The main factors are:
- Model size, engine power and pump capacity
- Cutterhead type: SolidsMaster, spiral auger or paddlebar, or the WeedMaster vegetation cutterhead
- Discharge pipeline length and whether a booster pump is needed
- Options such as the TLR trailer, dredging GPS, cable drive package and additional corrosion protection
- Destination and shipping
To get an accurate quote, send IMS the water body, the material, the depth and the pipeline distance.
Auger dredge FAQs
What is a self-propelled auger dredge?
It is a hydraulic dredge that uses a horizontal auger or cutter bar under a steel shroud to loosen sediment and a centrifugal pump to move it through a pipeline, and that propels itself. On IMS Versi-Dredges the propulsion is the patented Starwheel Drive, so no cables, spuds or anchors are needed for normal operation.
How deep can an IMS auger dredge dredge?
The IMS 4008 LP dredges to 20 ft (6.0 m), the 5012 LP and 5012 HP to 22 ft (6.7 m), and the 7012 HP to 30 ft (9.1 m).
What materials can it dredge?
IMS auger dredges remove sand, silt, sludge and other sediment. Replaceable teeth handle harder material, and a paddlebar option suits material that slurries easily. The optional WeedMaster cutterhead converts the dredge into a hydraulic weed harvester that cuts hyacinths, reeds and other vegetation and pumps it up to 1 km.
Do auger dredges create turbidity?
The shrouded cutterhead is designed to keep turbidity low. The article Auger Dredges Cause Less Turbidity than Other Hydraulic Dredges summarizes published data from the Western Dredging Association, the Illinois EPA and Golder Associates.
Does an IMS auger dredge need cables or anchors?
No. The Starwheel Drive moves the dredge on the surface and on the bottom. Cable drive infrastructure is included for lined ponds and similar sites where cables are preferred; cables and anchor plates are sold separately.
How is an IMS auger dredge shipped and started up?
All Versi-Dredge models are one-truck transportable when fully assembled. The optional TLR trailer allows a semi-truck to launch and retrieve the dredge without a crane. IMS includes on-site start-up and training and a 12-month factory warranty with phone and email support.
How much does an auger dredge cost?
The price depends on the model, cutterhead, pipeline distance and options, and IMS quotes each project individually. Contact IMS with your water body, material, depth and pipeline distance to receive a quote.
See all questions on the IMS dredging FAQ page.
