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Serious question, has anyone else seen a huge jump in production after switching to a different cutterhead pattern?

We were working a sand and gravel deposit on the Ohio River, using a standard star-type cutterhead on our 12-inch dredge. For the first three weeks, our average was about 80 cubic yards per hour. Last month, the boss brought in a new helical design from a different shop. The first full week with it, we hit a steady 115 yards per hour in the same material. The difference in how it chews through the bottom is night and day, way less vibration too. What other cutterhead setups have you guys tried that made a real difference in output?
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jamie_taylor
jamie_taylor3d agoMost Upvoted
Holy cow, that's a massive jump, @davis.emma wasn't kidding. Makes you wonder what else is out there.
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davis.emma
Wait, you jumped 35 yards an hour just from a new head?
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