Excavator Pump Attachment
Transform an excavator into a high-solids dredging system with the EDDY Pump Excavator Pump Attachment. Designed to pin into the existing bucket linkage and run from excavator hydraulics or an HPU, this attachment combines a non-clog slurry pump with a cutterhead, water jetting, and auger options, along with liner-safe options for demanding dredging conditions. Available in 4-inch to 12-inch models, the system supports up to 7,300 GPM, 40 to 70% solids, and solids handling up to 11 inches, depending on material, slurry density, pump size, pipeline layout, and site conditions.
Design Advantages for Field Operations
- Converts standard excavators into high-solids dredging and slurry pumping systems without requiring a dedicated dredge platform
- Non-clog pump design handles abrasive slurries, sludge, sand, tailings, drilling mud, and high-viscosity material with reduced plugging risk
- Pumps up to 70% solids by weight, depending on material characteristics and system configuration
- Available in 4-inch through 12-inch models to support compact dredging work through large-scale production operations
- Supports flow rates from 250 GPM up to 7,300 GPM across the product range for varying production requirements
- Handles solids up to 11 inches in diameter on larger models for difficult high-solids applications
- Mounts directly to the excavator linkage for precise dredging control in ponds, lagoons, mines, settling basins, and confined areas
- Compatible with excavator auxiliary hydraulics or standalone hydraulic power units for flexible deployment options
- Cutterhead, auger, mixer head, and water jetting configurations are available to match different material conditions and dredging objectives
- Liner-safe wheel configurations available for dredging lined ponds and sensitive containment areas
- Magnetic flow meter integration helps maintain stable pipeline velocity and reduce pipeline plugging during operation
- High head capabilities up to 240 feet support longer discharge distances and challenging material transport conditions
- Eliminates many suction lift limitations associated with conventional dredging systems by placing the pump directly at the material source
- The modular attachment approach simplifies transportation, mobilization, and deployment compared to larger conventional dredges
- Designed for severe-duty industrial applications, including mining, wastewater, fly ash, aggregate, oil and gas, and environmental dredging
Gallery
Excavator Pump Attachment
Technical Specifications
Performance Specifications
- Flow Rate: 250–7,300 GPM
- Head Range: Up to 240 ft (Maximum head varies by model. The 10-inch model supports the highest listed head range)
- Production Rate: 75–600 cubic yards of material per hour
- Percent Solids: Up to 70% solids by weight
- Solids Handling Capacity: Up to 11 inches
- Maximum Speed: 900-1,800 RPM
Physical Specifications
- Discharge Size: 4-12 inches
- Suction Size: 6-14 inches
- Overall Weight (with pump): 3,300-9,500 lbs
- Excavator Carrier Requirement: 20–94 tons
Hydraulic Power Requirements
- Pump Circuit Flow: 35-160 GPM at 5,000 PSI
- Cutterhead Circuit Flow: 12–28 GPM at 5,000 PSI
- Hydraulic Power Source: Excavator auxiliary hydraulics or external hydraulic power unit (HPU)
- Safety Features: Crossover check valve to prevent hydraulic motor damage and rotor separation
Recommended Sensors and Monitoring
- Hydraulic Pressure Gauge: For both pump and cutterhead circuits (0–6,000 PSI range)
- Magnetic Flow Meter: Maintains stable, plug-free pipeline flow and ensures optimal production rates
Optional Accessories
- Magnetic Flow Meter for performance tracking
- Discharge Line Pressure Gauge (0–150 PSI)
- “Quick Prime” Valve (requires 24V air system)
- Pivot-Mounted Discharge Hose Carrier (compatible with most excavators)
- Recirculation System for pre-mixing applications (requires 24V air system)
*All specifications mentioned will vary depending on the model
Cutterheads and Accessories for the Excavator Pump Attachment
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.
Model Comparison: Excavator Dredge Attachments
| Specification | EXF 4000 | EXF 6000 | EXF 8000 | EXF 10000 | EXF 12000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discharge Size | 4 inch | 6 inch | 8 inch | 10 inch | 12 inch |
| Suction Size | 6 inch | 8 inch | 10 inch | 12 inch | 14 inch |
| Max Flow | 1,200 GPM | 2,500 GPM | 3,600 GPM | 5,000 GPM | 7,300 GPM |
| Min Flow | 250 GPM | 450 GPM | 1,400 GPM | 1,600 GPM | 2,600 GPM |
| Head Range | Up to 160 ft | Up to 200 ft | Up to 230 ft | Up to 240 ft | Up to 180 ft |
| Solids Handling | Up to 3 in | Up to 5 in | Up to 7 in | Up to 9 in | Up to 11 in |
| Percent Solids | 40–70% | 40–70% | 40–70% | 40–70% | 40–70% |
| Max Speed (RPM) | 1,800 | 1,800 | 1,200 | 1,200 | 900 |
| Production Rate | 75–150 yd³/hr | 150–200 yd³/hr | 250–300 yd³/hr | 300–350 yd³/hr | 500–600 yd³/hr |
| Hydraulic Flow (Pump Circuit) | 35 GPM @ 5000 PSI | 57 GPM @ 5000 PSI | 120 GPM @ 5000 PSI | 120 GPM @ 5000 PSI | 160 GPM @ 5000 PSI |
| Hydraulic Flow (Cutterhead Circuit) | 12–18 GPM | 12–18 GPM | 20–28 GPM | 20–28 GPM | 20–28 GPM |
| Minimum Excavator Size | 20–45 tons | 20–45 tons | 60–94 tons | 60–94 tons | 60–94 tons |
| Overall Weight (Approx.) | 3,300 lbs | 4,800 lbs | 6,800 lbs | 7,500 lbs | 9,500 lbs |
| Solids Type | Sludge, Slurry, Tailings | Sludge, Slurry, Tailings | Heavy Slurry, Mining Waste | Mining Tailings, Sand | High-Density Slurry, Dredge Sediment |
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.
Industries & Applications
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.
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 16 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.
Talk To About Any Question?
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 40 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.
HD (Heavy Duty) Slurry Pumps / Dredge Equipment
Related Products
For assistance Call 619-404-1916 and let us help match your project
with the right pump.