Benefits and Capabilities

Eddy Pump

Tornado Motion is the only operations company currently licensed to use the patented
Eddy Pump high solids dredge pump in dredging applications.

Higher Average Solids Percent by Weight
The exclusive Eddy Pump design allows for the pumping of highly viscous materials, and sediment slurries in higher concentrations than conventional pumps. A higher average percent solids by weight is achieved because Tornado Motion's unique dredge design keeps the pump constantly supplied with material.

Sediment re-suspension:
The combination of Tornado Motion's equipment and the use of the Eddy Pump have enabled us to operate at very low to non-detect levels of turbidity.

We record turbidity levels at the head and use underwater cameras to watch the material being drawn into the rotating guard system. We have been selected to do projects where silt curtains are impossible or impractical and low turbidity operation is essential. Oakland University professor Linda Schweitzer said,

“The project gets a gold star, We got as close as 200 feet of the dredge site and there were no suspended sediments in the water. If we didn't find anything within 200 feet, they won't find it 20 miles downstream in drinking water intakes.”

Production Rate:
Tornado Motion's equipment has always employed a great deal of technology in order to produce the best results. A high production rate is achieved through continuous run time and good average slurry density. Production rates can range from 50 cubic yards/hour to 350 cubic yards/hour depending on the equipment selected and the project requirements. Through years of testing and development the productivity and reliability of the technology has drastically improved.

Self-Cleaning Guard:
This system is a patented self-cleaning design that virtually eliminates the suction from becoming fouled with clay, rock, rope, vegetation, etc. This feature reduces lost production time due to head cleaning and more importantly, exposure of workers to removing contaminated debris from the head.

Horizontal Accuracy:
Tornado Motion's equipment employs a Patented compact head assembly that can be articulated in 3 dimensions independently of the main ladder and allows for surgical digging under, over, and around obstacles with the aid of underwater cameras. When the head is in automatic articulating mode the head remains parallel with the centerline of the dredge throughout the entire swing. This creates a level cut even when going up and down slopes as well as eliminates gouging and over-dredging.

Vertical Accuracy:
Tornado Motion's dredge employs PLC controlled ground sensing technology and a large fiat contact patch with the ground. These features enable the head to differentiate between a thin layer of soft contaminated sediment found on top of a generally runner virgin material. Accordingly with the ground density the operator can program how much down pressure to apply to the head so as to only remove the contaminated sediment and not over-dredge into virgin material. Underwater videos and diver inspection reports confirm the accuracy.

Maximum water depth:
Tornado Motion currently operates ladder equipment capable of depths from 26 - 45 feet and cable deployed equipment up to 100 feet water depth.

Positioning Control and DAS:
Tornado Motion Dredges can be equipped with RTK GPS positioning systems. Some dredges offer a 4-spud system that provides excellent positioning control and a swing system that is self-contained. Spud carriages advance the dredge with incredible accuracy. Data Acquisition system (DAS) is used to record desired data which can be analyzed and presented as required.

Surface Water Flow Characteristics:
Tornado Motion's dredge has successfully worked in many different types of water conditions. The four-spud system is the main reason the dredge works so well in high water velocities, varying water levels and chop. The spuds can be powered down to hold the hull level during dredging or set in "float mode" to allow the hull to move up and down with the water level when required.

Pipeline Transport:
Tornado Motion's dredges compliment long floating and/or land-based pipelines to deliver material directly to the desired location without re-handling. If required, booster pumps can be added to the pipeline.

Portability:
Tornado Motion has transported dredges around the world by truck, ship, and container.
All of our equipment is non-permit loads and easily assembled on the waters edge. Some of the work we have done has been in remote land-locked areas where mobilization can be extremely challenging or impossible for other types of equipment.

Diver Operated Dredge:
Tornado Motion worked with the US Navy's MDSU 1 Dive group to develop a small diver operated dredge that was used to clean out some old wrecks in the shallow waters of Midway Island. Tornado Motion was also asked to develop a diver controlled stinger that could be attached to a dredge when needed.

Flexibility for Varying Conditions:
Our equipment can often be adjusted or reconfigured to meet varying conditions. We listen to our clients needs and work towards providing an effective solution. Tornado Motion has learned that being able to quickly adapt to changing conditions is an essential requirement of today's challenging dredging projects.

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	Benefits and Capabilities Eddy Pump Tornado Motion is the only operations company currently licensed to use the patented Eddy Pump high solids dredge pump in dredging applications. Higher Average Solids Percent by Weight The exclusive Eddy Pump design allows for the pumping of highly viscous materials, and sediment slurries in higher concentrations than conventional pumps. A higher average percent solids by weight is achieved because Tornado Motion's unique dredge design keeps the pump constantly supplied with material. Sediment re-suspension: The combination of Tornado Motion's equipment and the use of the Eddy Pump have enabled us to operate at very low to non-detect levels of turbidity. We record turbidity levels at the head and use underwater cameras to watch the material being drawn into the rotating guard system. We have been selected to do projects where silt curtains are impossible or impractical and low turbidity operation is essential. Oakland University professor Linda Schweitzer said, “The project gets a gold star, We got as close as 200 feet of the dredge site and there were no suspended sediments in the water. If we didn't find anything within 200 feet, they won't find it 20 miles downstream in drinking water intakes.” Production Rate: Tornado Motion's equipment has always employed a great deal of technology in order to produce the best results. A high production rate is achieved through continuous run time and good average slurry density. Production rates can range from 50 cubic yards/hour to 350 cubic yards/hour depending on the equipment selected and the project requirements. Through years of testing and development the productivity and reliability of the technology has drastically improved. Self-Cleaning Guard: This system is a patented self-cleaning design that virtually eliminates the suction from becoming fouled with clay, rock, rope, vegetation, etc. This feature reduces lost production time due to head cleaning and more importantly, exposure of workers to removing contaminated debris from the head. Horizontal Accuracy: Tornado Motion's equipment employs a Patented compact head assembly that can be articulated in 3 dimensions independently of the main ladder and allows for surgical digging under, over, and around obstacles with the aid of underwater cameras. When the head is in automatic articulating mode the head remains parallel with the centerline of the dredge throughout the entire swing. This creates a level cut even when going up and down slopes as well as eliminates gouging and over-dredging. Vertical Accuracy: Tornado Motion's dredge employs PLC controlled ground sensing technology and a large fiat contact patch with the ground. These features enable the head to differentiate between a thin layer of soft contaminated sediment found on top of a generally runner virgin material. Accordingly with the ground density the operator can program how much down pressure to apply to the head so as to only remove the contaminated sediment and not over-dredge into virgin material. Underwater videos and diver inspection reports confirm the accuracy. Maximum water depth: Tornado Motion currently operates ladder equipment capable of depths from 26 - 45 feet and cable deployed equipment up to 100 feet water depth. Positioning Control and DAS: Tornado Motion Dredges can be equipped with RTK GPS positioning systems. Some dredges offer a 4-spud system that provides excellent positioning control and a swing system that is self-contained. Spud carriages advance the dredge with incredible accuracy. Data Acquisition system (DAS) is used to record desired data which can be analyzed and presented as required. Surface Water Flow Characteristics: Tornado Motion's dredge has successfully worked in many different types of water conditions. The four-spud system is the main reason the dredge works so well in high water velocities, varying water levels and chop. The spuds can be powered down to hold the hull level during dredging or set in "float mode" to allow the hull to move up and down with the water level when required. Pipeline Transport: Tornado Motion's dredges compliment long floating and/or land-based pipelines to deliver material directly to the desired location without re-handling. If required, booster pumps can be added to the pipeline. Portability: Tornado Motion has transported dredges around the world by truck, ship, and container. All of our equipment is non-permit loads and easily assembled on the waters edge. Some of the work we have done has been in remote land-locked areas where mobilization can be extremely challenging or impossible for other types of equipment. Diver Operated Dredge: Tornado Motion worked with the US Navy's MDSU 1 Dive group to develop a small diver operated dredge that was used to clean out some old wrecks in the shallow waters of Midway Island. Tornado Motion was also asked to develop a diver controlled stinger that could be attached to a dredge when needed. Flexibility for Varying Conditions: Our equipment can often be adjusted or reconfigured to meet varying conditions. We listen to our clients needs and work towards providing an effective solution. Tornado Motion has learned that being able to quickly adapt to changing conditions is an essential requirement of today's challenging dredging projects. top of page