Dredging equipment

Trailing suction pipes

Maintain control of the drag head with our trailing suction pipes.

Our trailing suction pipes control the drag head, both horizontally and vertically, to maintain proper contact with the seabed and safely transfer the excavation forces to the vessel. With the help of our trailing suction pipes, the drag head can achieve high production rates, especially in combination with advanced automation.

The trailing suction pipe is flexible enough to support the drag head to pick up as much soil as possible. Even when the seabed is uneven, or when the drag head gets under the dredging vessel or away from it whilst turning.

Benefits of choosing our suction pipes

Robust design
Customised and standardised models
Easy to maintain with exchangeable suction bend

Robust design

Designed for harsh dredging conditions, using both wear resistant materials and easily replaceable components to reduce maintenance. Optional hydraulic piping and cabling for control and automation are well protected for reliable operation.

Standardised models...

Our trailing suction pipes are available in standardised two-piece designs with internal diameters ranging from 400 to 1.200 mm, configurable with a range of options to meet your specific needs. These models are designed integrally with other components for optimum economy and performance.

.. and customised models

Customised features can be incorporated to meet specific operating requirements. For example, increased jet water flows and very large dredging depths. Or high loads on the trailing suction pipe due to extra heavy drag heads and high drag forces due to difficult soils (clay, soft rock).

Easy to maintain with exchangeable suction bend

Our exchangeable suction bend protects the entire assembly and ensures long-term reliability. Components that are subject to wear from the mixture flow are separated from those that transfer the loads from the dredging process. This makes maintenance both safe and easy.

Advanced automation

Accurate dredging requires knowing the exact position of the suction head in relation to the actual dredge track at all times. This insight is provided by IHC Dredging's Suction Tube Position Monitor (STPM), part of our dredging control system. In addition, the system can automate certain tasks in drag head and suction pipe control, giving you extra support to dredge as efficiently as possible.

Trailing suction pipe with submersible dredge pump

The submersible dredge pump, installed as an integral unit in the trailing suction pipe, improves the suction performance of a dredge pump system and ensures optimum production with shallow draught and empty dredging vessels, deep dredging capability and fast hopper loading times.

Power outputs currently range from 150 to 6,500kW. Depths below 120 meters can be achieved.

Benefits of a submersible dredge pump