Ellicott Refurbishes Cutter Dredger
While Ellicott is known primarily for dredge design and manufacturing, it also offers services for refurbishment and modernization of any manufacturer’s dredge.
Ellicott said it has completed the refurbishment of the Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD) 12” (300 mm) cutter dredge Commodore. After extensive flood damage, GLDD hired Ellicott to refurbish and modernize the Commodore, a non-Ellicott dredge, including hydraulics, electric controls and the booster pump.
One of the main improvements was a comprehensive upgrade to the Commodore’s hydraulic system. The cutter drive system was upgraded to 130 HP (97 kW) with the same RPM as the current system. This increases the dredge’s efficiency, allowing it to cut harder and more compact materials. The proportional valves were also replaced and integrated into the dredge’s new control system.
Another improvement was the complete overhaul of the control systems. All old electric controls and circuits were removed and replaced with a more modern system. The new system is more efficient and allows for easier troubleshooting and superior integration.
A more ergonomic chair was added to increase operator comfort, and the dash was replaced with a larger touch screen display for easier operation.
In addition to hydraulic and control system upgrades, Ellicott integrated the booster pump into the cab dashboard. This allows the operator to control the booster and monitor the suction pressure and discharge pressure from the cab.