Home / Products / Dredging Equipment /
Excavator Dredge Pump Attachment for High-Solids Slurry & Sediment Removal
The EDDY Pump Excavator Dredge Pump Attachment turns any hydraulic excavator into a high-production dredging excavator. It pins into the existing bucket linkage, runs from excavator hydraulics or an HPU, and pairs a non-clog slurry pump with cutterhead, water-jetting, and auger options for demanding dredging conditions.
Excavator Pump Family Snapshot
Model Range
4 in to 12 in
Flow Range
250–7,300 GPM
Head Range
Up to 240 ft TDH
Solids Handling
Up to 11 in
% Solids By Weight
Up to 70%
Power
Excavator hydraulics or HPU
Available Configurations
Standard Cutterhead
Best for breaking up compacted material and feeding solids straight into the pump for general dredging.
Self-Cleaning Head
Best for sticky or fibrous material where buildup and plugging are a concern.
Water Jetting Ring
Best for loosening compacted solids and improving slurry consistency at the intake.
Auger Head
Best for controlled feeding of dense sludge and high-solids material.
Clay Cutterhead
Best for re-suspending settled solids to keep slurry consistent during pumping.
Extended Cutterhead
Best for deeper or hard-to-reach material zones.
Liner-Safe Wheels
Best for dredging lined ponds while protecting sensitive liner surfaces.
What Is an Excavator Dredge Pump Attachment?
An excavator dredge pump attachment is a hydraulic slurry pump system that mounts directly to the arm of a standard hydraulic excavator, converting it into a mobile dredging machine. The pump runs from the excavator's auxiliary hydraulic circuit or a standalone hydraulic power unit, drawing abrasive slurry directly at the dredge face and transferring it through a discharge pipeline - eliminating the need to deploy a separate dredge vessel.
Compared to a cutter suction dredger or standalone dredge barge, an excavator-mounted pump attachment offers faster mobilization, lower capital cost, and the ability to reach confined or shallow-water areas that larger dredging equipment cannot access. The EDDY Pump excavator dredge attachment handles up to 70% solids by weight with an open-rotor design that passes 11-inch solids -- making it effective in the abrasive, high-density materials that clog conventional suction dredge pumps.
Gallery
Excavator Pump Attachment
Excavator Dredge Pump Attachment - Cutterhead & Accessory Options
Different dredging conditions require different agitation and material handling methods. The EDDY Pump Excavator Pump Attachment can be configured with multiple cutterhead and accessory options to improve material flow, reduce plugging, increase production efficiency, or support sensitive dredging environments. These configurations allow the attachment to adapt to compacted sediment, lined ponds, high-viscosity slurry, and varying material densities across industrial dredging applications.
Standard Cutterhead
Breaks up compacted material and feeds solids directly into the pump for general dredging applications.
Self-Cleaning Head
Helps reduce buildup and plugging in sticky or fibrous material conditions.
Water Jetting Ring
Uses water agitation to loosen compacted solids and improve slurry consistency near the intake.
Auger Head
Provides controlled feeding of dense sludge, sediment, and high-solids material into the pump.
Mixer Heads
Re-suspends settled solids to maintain slurry consistency during pumping operations.
Extended Cutterhead
Improves dredging reach for deeper or difficult-to-access material zones.
Liner-Safe Wheels
Supports dredging in lined ponds while reducing contact with sensitive liner surfaces.
Magnetic Flow Meter
Monitors pipeline flow conditions to help maintain stable material transport.
Quick Prime Valve
Improves startup and priming performance during dredging operations.
Pivot-Mounted Discharge Hose Carrier
Helps manage hose movement and reduce strain along the excavator boom.
*Accessory availability varies by pump size, excavator, hydraulic package, and application. Confirm final configuration with EDDY Pump engineering.
Excavator Pump Attachment Model Specs
The EDDY Pump Excavator Pump Attachment converts standard excavators into high-solids dredging and slurry pumping systems. Available in 4-inch through 12-inch hydraulic models, each attachment combines the EDDY Pump non-clog slurry pump design with excavator or HPU-powered hydraulic drive options, cutterhead configurations, and dredging accessories for demanding field applications.
Use the table below to compare pump size, flow range, head range, solids handling, production rate, hydraulic requirements, and downloadable spec sheets.
Standard EDDY Pump Platform Specs
| Pump Platform | Discharge Size | Suction Size | Flow Range (GPM) | Head Range (ft) | Solids Handling | % Solids by Weight | Production Rate (yd³/hr) | Max Pump Speed (RPM) | Spec Sheet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXF-4000 | 4 in | 6 in | 250–1,200 | Up to 160 | Up to 3 in | 40–70% | 75–150 | 1,800 | Download  Download  |
| EXF-6000 | 6 in | 8 in | 450–2,500 | Up to 200 | Up to 5 in | 40–70% | 150–200 | 1,800 | Download Download |
| EXF-8000 | 8 in | 10 in | 1,400–3,600 | Up to 230 | Up to 7 in | 40–70% | 250–300 | 1,200 | Download Download |
| EXF-10000 | 10 in | 12 in | 1,600–5,000 | Up to 240 | Up to 9 in | 40–70% | 300–350 | 1,200 | Download Download |
| EXF-12000 | 12 in | 14 in | 2,600–7,300 | Up to 180* | Up to 11 in | 40–70% | 500–600 | 900 | Download Download |
Final pump selection depends on slurry density, solids concentration, total dynamic head, discharge distance, pipe size, elevation change, and available hydraulic power.
*Maximum head and maximum flow are not simultaneous operating points. The EXF-12000 can achieve up to 180 ft of head at lower flow; available head decreases as flow increases. Confirm the required duty point against the pump curve.
Hydraulic Drive / HPU Requirements
The Excavator Pump Attachment can be powered by excavator auxiliary hydraulics or by a standalone Hydraulic Power Unit. Hydraulic requirements vary by pump size, cutterhead configuration, hose routing, and application conditions.
| Pump Platform | Pump Circuit | Cutterhead Circuit | Discharge Hose | Hydraulic Source | Min Excavator Size | Approx. Weight | Protection / Controls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXF-4000 | 35 GPM @ 5,000 PSI / 80cc motor | 12–18 GPM @ 5,000 PSI / 1340cc motor | 6 in | Excavator aux or HPU | 20–45 tons | 3,300 lbs | Crossover check valve required |
| EXF-6000 | 57 GPM @ 5,000 PSI / 180cc motor | 12–18 GPM @ 5,000 PSI / 1340cc motor | 6 in | Excavator aux or HPU | 20–45 tons | 4,800 lbs | Crossover check valve required |
| EXF-8000 | 120 GPM @ 5,000 PSI / 500cc motor | 20–28 GPM @ 5,000 PSI / 2150cc motor | 8 in | Excavator aux or HPU | 60–94 tons | 6,800 lbs | Crossover check valve required |
| EXF-10000 | 120 GPM @ 5,000 PSI / 500cc motor | 20–28 GPM @ 5,000 PSI / 2150cc motor | 10 in | Excavator aux or HPU | 60–94 tons | 7,500 lbs | Crossover check valve required |
| EXF-12000 | 160 GPM @ 5,000 PSI / 700cc motor | 20–28 GPM @ 5,000 PSI / 2150cc motor | 12 in | Excavator aux or HPU | 60–94 tons | 9,500 lbs | Crossover check valve required |
Recommended Sensors and Monitoring
For better field performance and pipeline management, EDDY Pump recommends the following sensors and monitoring accessories:
- Hydraulic pressure gauge for pump and cutterhead circuits, 0–6,000 PSI range
- Magnetic flow meter to maintain stable pipeline velocity and help prevent plugging
- Discharge line pressure gauge, 0–150 PSI
- Optional quick-prime valve, where applicable
- Optional pivot-mounted discharge hose carrier
- Optional recirculation system for pre-mixing applications
Accessory availability varies by pump size, excavator, hydraulic package, and application. Confirm final configuration with EDDY Pump engineering.
Download Excavator Pump Attachment Spec Sheets
| Model | English PDF | Spanish PDF |
|---|---|---|
| 4-Inch EXF-4000 Hydraulic Excavator Pump Attachment | Download |
Download |
| 6-Inch EXF-6000 Hydraulic Excavator Pump Attachment | Download |
Download |
| 8-Inch EXF-8000 Hydraulic Excavator Pump Attachment | Download |
Download |
| 10-Inch EXF-10000 Hydraulic Excavator Pump Attachment | Download |
Download |
| 12-Inch EXF-12000 Hydraulic Excavator Pump Attachment | Download |
Download |
Additional Excavator Pump Attachment Resources
| Resource | Download / Link |
|---|---|
| Excavator Pump Attachment Brochure | Download Brochure |
| Excavator Pin Linkage Chart | Download Pin Linkage Chart |
| Hydraulic Power Unit Spec Sheets | View HPU Spec Sheets |
Equipment Rentals and Custom Solutions
EDDY Pump rental systems provide a flexible option for short-term dredging projects, emergency response work, seasonal operations, and equipment evaluation before purchase. Rental packages can be configured with excavator pump attachments, hydraulic power units, discharge hose, and supporting dredging accessories based on project requirements.
- Test equipment performance before committing to a purchase
- Reduce upfront costs for temporary or seasonal projects
- Rent-to-own programs available
- Fast deployment for demanding dredging applications
- Engineering support for system sizing and configuration
For specialized applications, EDDY Pump also provides custom dredging solutions with in-house engineering, fabrication, and application-specific system design support.
Excavator Dredge Pump Attachment - Industries & Applications
Pond Dredging Equipment for Water Management Projects
The excavator pump attachment is widely deployed as pond dredging equipment for stormwater retention basins, industrial containment ponds, and water management facilities where full dredge mobilization is not cost-effective. The liner-safe wheel configuration allows operation inside HDPE-lined ponds without membrane damage.
Mine Tailings Pond Dredging
Used to remove settled tailings, slurry, and process waste from mining ponds and containment areas where high solids concentrations and abrasive material make conventional pumping difficult. The excavator-mounted configuration allows operators to reach difficult areas without deploying large dredging platforms.
Sand and Aggregate Excavation
Supports submerged sand recovery, fines removal, and material transfer operations in aggregate pits and processing facilities. The attachment allows direct pumping at the material source while handling abrasive sand mixtures and larger solids.
Wastewater Lagoon Cleaning
Removes sludge, grit, and settled solids from municipal and industrial lagoons without draining the basin. Liner-safe wheel options are available for facilities operating lined containment systems.
Ash Pond and Industrial Waste Removal
Used in fly ash, coal ash, and industrial settling pond applications where dense slurry and fine solids require controlled agitation and reliable solids transport over long discharge distances.
Oil and Gas Pit Cleanup
Handles drilling mud, tank bottoms, reserve pit waste, and high-viscosity slurry generated during oilfield operations. The attachment provides a mobile dredging option for remote or temporary work sites.
River Dredging Equipment & Canal Sediment Removal
For river dredging equipment applications - including waterway restoration, canal dredging, and flood channel maintenance - the excavator attachment mounts to equipment already on site, reducing mobilization cost. Cable-deployed and excavator-mounted configurations are both available for riverbank and mid-channel work.
Environmental Sediment Removal
Used for sediment remediation in waterways, stormwater ponds, and contaminated basins where controlled dredging and targeted material removal are required to minimize disturbance outside the work zone.
Paper and Pulp Sludge Removal
Pumps pulp slurry, fiber-rich sludge, and process waste from clarifiers, settling basins, and storage ponds where conventional pumps often experience plugging or reduced flow efficiency.
Industrial Tank and Sump Cleaning
Supports removal of settled solids, abrasive slurry, and accumulated sludge from process tanks, pits, and industrial sumps where direct excavator access improves material recovery and cleanup efficiency.
Lined Pond Maintenance
Configured with liner-safe wheels and controlled agitation systems for dredging operations inside lined ponds used in mining, wastewater, and industrial containment applications where liner protection is critical.
Remote and Confined Area Dredging
Allows dredging in areas where conventional dredges are difficult to mobilize, including remote sites, narrow basins, temporary ponds, and confined industrial work zones with limited access.
Case Study: Excavator Pump Attachment for Tailings Removal
The Problem
A mining operation needed to remove more than 18,000 cubic yards of settled tailings from a lined containment pond that had lost nearly 35% of its active storage capacity. Previous dredging methods created concerns about damaging the liner surface, while conventional pumps struggled with the dense, abrasive slurry and high solids concentration. The site also had limited access for larger dredging equipment, making mobilization difficult and increasing project delays.
The Solution
The operation deployed an EDDY Pump 6-Inch Excavator Pump Attachment configured with liner-safe wheels and a water jetting ring to dredge material from the lined pond safely. Mounted directly to a hydraulic excavator, the system allowed operators to maintain controlled positioning while pumping high-solids slurry directly from the pond floor. The EDDY Pump system handled solids concentrations that other pumps were not able to, while transferring material through a long discharge pipeline to the designated disposal area.
The Result
Using the EDDY Pump excavator dredging system, the mining operation restored approximately 3.6 million gallons of pond capacity while completing the dredging campaign ahead of schedule. The project maintained continuous production rates exceeding 150 yd³/hr without liner damage or major pipeline plugging events. By avoiding liner repair costs and reducing mobilization requirements compared to a conventional dredge setup, the site significantly lowered overall project downtime and operational disruption.
Call for sales or support
If you need assistance with pump selection, sales or engineering support, call 619-404-1916.
Excavator Dredge Pump Attachment vs Dredge Barge: Which Is Right for Your Project?
| Factor | Excavator Pump Attachment | Dredge Barge / Cutter Suction Dredger |
|---|---|---|
| Mobilization | Fast -- uses existing excavator on site | Slower -- dedicated vessel required |
| Capital cost | Lower -- attachment added to existing machine | Higher -- standalone dredge investment |
| Confined/shallow areas | Excellent -- reaches tight sites | Limited -- requires navigable water depth |
| Liner-safe operation | Yes -- liner-safe wheel option available | Varies by dredge type |
| Production rate | 75-600 yd3/hr depending on model | Higher for large continuous projects |
| Discharge distance | Up to 240 ft head; extend with booster pumps | Similar with booster configuration |
| Best for | Ponds, mining, lagoons, confined sites, short-duration projects | Large waterways, ports, long-duration high-volume dredging |
EDDY Pump also manufactures standalone dredging systems including autonomous dredges, cable-deployed dredges, and dredge sleds for projects where the excavator attachment is not the optimal solution. Contact our engineering team to compare options for your site conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Excavator Pump Attachment - FAQs
What is an excavator pump attachment used for?
An excavator pump attachment converts a hydraulic excavator into a mobile dredging and slurry pumping system. It is commonly used for pond dredging, sludge removal, mine tailings recovery, sand excavation, industrial cleanup, and high-solids material transfer in areas where conventional dredges are difficult to deploy.
What materials can the attachment pump?
The system is designed to handle abrasive and high-solids materials including slurry, sludge, sediment, sand, drilling mud, mine tailings, grit, fly ash, coal ash, and industrial waste slurry. The non-clog pump design allows it to manage materials that typically create plugging or excessive wear in conventional pumps.
What excavator size is required to operate the attachment?
Excavator requirements depend on the attachment size, hydraulic demand, and production target. Smaller 4-inch and 6-inch systems typically operate on 20 to 45 ton excavators, while larger 8-inch to 12-inch models generally require 60 to 94 ton carriers for stable operation and sufficient hydraulic power.
Can the excavator pump attachment operate with a hydraulic power unit instead of excavator hydraulics?
Yes. The attachment can operate from the excavator’s auxiliary hydraulic system or from a standalone hydraulic power unit (HPU). This allows greater flexibility when excavator hydraulic capacity is limited or when a dedicated hydraulic system is preferred for continuous dredging operations.
How much solids concentration can the system handle?
Depending on the material properties and system configuration, EDDY Pump excavator attachments are capable of pumping slurry with solids concentrations up to 70%, depending on material, slurry density, pump size, pipeline layout, and site conditions. Actual performance depends on particle size, slurry density, pipeline layout, and the selected pump model.
Are different cutterhead options available for different materials?
Yes. Multiple cutterhead and agitation configurations are available to match specific dredging conditions. Options include standard cutterheads for general dredging, auger heads for dense sludge, water jetting rings for compacted material, mixer heads for slurry re-suspension, and liner-safe wheels for lined ponds.
Can the system be used in lined ponds or containment areas?
Yes. The attachment can be configured with liner-safe wheels designed to reduce direct contact with geomembrane liners during dredging. This is commonly used in mining ponds, wastewater lagoons, and industrial containment systems where liner protection is critical.
What discharge distances can the attachment support?
Discharge capability depends on the selected pump size, slurry density, solids concentration, elevation changes, and pipeline design. Larger models offer high flow rates and head capabilities up to 240 feet, allowing material transfer across long pipeline distances in demanding dredging applications.
Is rental equipment available for temporary projects?
Yes. EDDY Pump offers rental systems for short-term dredging work, emergency cleanup, shutdown support, pilot testing, and seasonal operations. Rental packages can include the excavator pump attachment, hydraulic power units, discharge hose, and supporting dredging accessories. Rent-to-own options are also available.
What information is needed to size the correct excavator pump attachment?
Proper sizing typically requires information about the material being pumped, solids concentration, particle size, production goals, dredging depth, discharge distance, available excavator hydraulic capacity, and site access conditions. This information helps determine the appropriate pump size, cutterhead configuration, and hydraulic requirements for the project.
What is the difference between an excavator pump attachment and a suction dredge pump?
A suction dredge pump is a standalone pump unit deployed separately -- usually on a barge or sled -- that dredges by suction through a draghead or intake. An excavator pump attachment mounts directly to a hydraulic excavator arm, combining excavator positioning precision with pump suction capability. The excavator-mounted configuration provides operator control over intake placement and works in shallower or more confined conditions than most standalone suction dredge configurations.
Can the excavator pump attachment handle pond dredging and river dredging?
Yes. The excavator pump attachment is commonly used for pond dredging (stormwater basins, mining containment ponds, industrial lagoons) and river dredging (channel maintenance, sediment removal, restoration projects). For pond dredging in lined facilities, the liner-safe wheel configuration minimizes liner contact. For river and canal dredging, the excavator reach allows dredging from the bank without entering the waterway with a vessel.