Articulation of Rotomite's Cutterhead

Maintaining a 90% cutterhead angle to the Material. An operator of the Rotomite-6000, Rotomite-8000, or Rotomite-SD110, sitting in the cab, can control the attitude of the cutterhead towards the Material to be dredged for maximum performance. As the ladder, pump, and cutterhead are lowered, the angle (attitude) of a fixed (non articulating) cutterhead in relation to the vertical face of the Material changes - i. e., if the lowered cutterhead rises at a 30% angle from the lagoon bottom, without articulation the cutterhead will face the Material at a 60% angle causing a reduction in sludge production. With the Rotomite’s articulating cutterheads, operators can rotate the cutterhead up to 84 degrees (70 degrees with the Rotomite-8000) to maintain  a 90% angle to the vertical face of the Material to assure maximum productivity and minimum turbidity. Further, if they so desire, operators can articulate the cutterhead to carve difficult Material.  See the cutterhead articulate in the video to the left .

 

 Automation of FLUMP Control System - Options.  Automating the FLUMP (Models A1 or A2) in a high utilization application - i. e., running almost continuously - is a smart business decision. Automation provides owners with excellent returns-on-investment ("ROI") through reduced operating costs. Crisafulli staff will work with you to run the numbers based on analysis of your particular application to determine the most cost effective dredging solution for you. See Automation of FLUMP for further information.

 

Control Systems (Panels) for FLUMP™ Sludge Removal Systems.  Crisafulli’s FLUMP is an unmanned dredge connected by cable to an electrical power source. The FLUMP can be controlled manually by a full-time operator, or, alternatively, remotely and automatically by a part-time operator for lower labor costs and maximum solids production. Crisafulli offers four basic levels of FLUMP automation, Models M1, M2, A1, and A2. In addition, Crisafulli offers custom configurations of the control system. See Automation of FLUMP

 

The FLUMP’s and Rotomite's Six Front-Ends
Six "front-end" configurations are offered with the FLUMP and Rotomite sludge removal systems –

(1) the powerful "Cobra" cutterhead (seen to the left); (2) an Auger type weed cutterhead, (3) a Reel type weed cutterhead, (4) a siphon manifold, (5) a vacuum or suction system, and (6) a pond liner protection system.

Each front-end is offered in a range of sizes, materials, and coatings. For example, the Cobra cutterhead is available in widths of 4 feet, 8.5 feet, and 11 feet. Crisafulli builds the Cobra from carbon steel used in most applications, or stainless steel for highly caustic environments. In addition, each front-end is offered with or without a pond liner protection system. Each front-end is engineered for maximum efficiency, reliability, and effectiveness. See Six Front-Ends for further information.

 

Hydraulically Powered Ladder
Hydraulic Ladder Lift. Each of the Rotomites (6000, 8000, and SD-110) has two bi-directional hydraulically powered cylinders between the ladder and the Rotomite-6000's platform to lower and raise the rigid, steel ladder, cutterhead, and pump. Hydraulically powered cylinders enable the operator to exert the dredge's weight on the Material being dredged. In combination with cutterhead articulation, the hydraulic powered ladder increases the capacity of the Rotomite’s cutterhead to cut and process sludge. Only the Rotomite-6000 and Rotomite-8000 offer a standard hydraulically powered ladder lowering and lifting mechanism. See the hydraulic ladder operate in the Rotomite-6000 product video to the top left .

 

Crisafulli Integral Floating Discharge Line
To carry the dredged sludge from the FLUMP or Rotomite to the designated disposal site, typically on land, the FLUMP or Rotomite use a Crisafulli Integral Floating Discharge Line (CIFDL). The Discharge Line is modular, offered in either 15 foot or 20 foot rigid lengths, and 5 foot flexible lengths, and is one of three styles – i.e., (1) aluminum pipe with aluminum floats; (2) aluminum pipe with foam floats; and (3) polyethylene pipe with foam floats. Crisafulli recommends starting at the FLUMP with a flexible section, then alternating rigid and flexible, and ending in a flexible section. Each section, either rigid or flexible, includes a female quick coupler, a ring clamp and rubber gasket. A #150 flange is available to adapt to a customer’s pipe line. The Discharge Line is offered in 4-inch, 6-inch, 8 inch, and 10 inch diameters. The Crisafulli Floating Discharge Line system is highly versatile, easy to set up and use, and can carry heavy, concentrated sludge across a pond to the discharge site, distances often up to 500 feet. See Integrated Floating Discharge Line.

 

Pivoting Traverse System - U.S. Patent #6,041,527
When used with Crisafulli's patented Pivoting Traverse System and a cabled traverse system, the FLUMP and Rotomite-6000 are approximately 48% more productive than competitive products. Crisafulli FLUMPs and Rotomites can complete lagoon dredging projects in approximately half the time and save owners all or close to the entire cost of the FLUMP or Rotomite over several years from reduced operating costs. See Pivoting Traverse System for further information.

 

Pond Liner Protection System
Since many municipal and industrial settling ponds are lined with an impermeable membrane rather than concrete, Crisafulli engineered a pond liner protection system that prevents the cutterhead from cutting or damaging the pond liner. The Crisafulli Pond Liner Protection System (“PLPS”) can be attached to any Crisafulli cutterhead. Comprised of two small wheels mounted on an axle, the PLPS raises the cutterhead a few inches above the pond liner and enables the cutterhead to roll along the pond bottom.

 

Propulsion and Steering System on Rotomites
Crisafulli's hydraulically powered propulsion and steering system for the Rotomites (other than the Rotomite SD110) is unique in the dredge world. Providing both thrust and steering, the System provides adequate force to enable the horizontal auger on the cutterhead to engage, cut, and dislodge compacted solids. Unlike propulsion systems on many competitors' dredges, that either crawl along the lagoon bottom thereby generating substantial turbidity, or drive one or more "spuds" (or spikes) into the lagoon bottom and must be removed and the dredge relocated repeatedly by a support vessel during the dredging process, the Crisafulli propulsion system generates little or no turbidity and enables the Rotomite to be self-sufficient and move easily around the lagoon, canal, or river without external support. The System provides both forward and reverse thrust. The Rotomite propulsion system is more flexible and versitile enabling the Rotomite to be more productive and less costly to operate. The dredge operator on the Rotomite controls the propulsion and steering system from the comfort of the Rotomite's air conditioned cab. See Propulsion & Steering System

 

Pump
Crisafulli Pumps used in FLUMPs and Rotomites. Crisafulli uses its S-Series or J-Series direct drive, electrically powered, self-priming, centrifugal 1150 RPM and 1750 RPM pumps on FLUMPs, with a steel shaft extending from the motor to the pump. A hydraulically powered pump is offered as an option on FLUMPs. Rotomites use Crisafulli 6" or 8" J-Series pumps. 

40 years of experience building pumps. Crisafulli has engineered and built pumps for more than 40 years and started business as Crisafulli Pump Company. Crisafulli pumps are proven reliable and effective. Crisafulli builds pumps in sizes ranging from 2 inch (the diameter of the discharge pipe on the pump) to 24 inches. Depending on size, horse power (HP), and application, Crisafulli pumps achieve flow rates of up to 18,000 gallons per minute (GPM). Crisafulli fabricates its pumps and engineers its pump impellers and volutes to handle abrasive slurries. Depending on pump size, Crisafulli pumps can process “golf balls” - i.e., solids with diameters in excess of three inches.  See Pumps for further information.

 

Remote Control System for FLUMPs
Hand-held radio remote control systems enable operators to control FLUMPs from distances of more than 1,500 feet. See Radio Remote Controlled FLUMP.

 

 Cabled Traverse System

As an unmanned dredge a FLUMP, or the Rotomite when operated in a cabled traverse system, are positioned and moved, either manually or automatically, along a tensioned galvanized steel cabl extending across the pond. The cable is attached at either end of the pond to a galvanized steel cable affixed to sturdy steel posts set firmly in the ground (generally in concrete foundations). This form of traverse system is built with either two or four posts. Lateral positioning of the FLUMP is either manual, or electric by two 3/4 HP shore based electric winches. Accordingly, such traverse systems are referred to as: (a) 2 post manual; (b) 4 post manual; or 4 post electric. 

 

Alternatively, a FLUMP can be positioned and controlled when the traverse cable is attached to a “Trolley” fastened to a shore based steel rail at either end of the pond for uncomplicated control over the lateral positioning function. This style is commonly referred to as a “rail traverse”.  See Cabled Traverse System for further information.

From the left, Rotomite-6000 with Pivoting Traverse System, FLUMP with Pond Liner Protection System, FLUMP with Radio Remote Control System