DID YOU KNOW? Your VMI Horizontal Dredge can dig deeper with an extension kit—up to 20 feet deep!

   DID YOU KNOW?

Your VMI Horizontal Dredge can dig deeper with an extension kit—up to 20 feet deep! 🌊💪 That means more versatility, more efficiency, and more material moved with the equipment you already own.

🔧 Upgrade your dredge. Expand your capabilities. Get more done.

📩 Ready to take your operation to the next level? Let’s talk.

#DidYouKnow #DredgeMore #VMIDredges #DredgingInnovation #ThisIsHowYouDredge #EfficiencyMatters

 https://youtube.com/shorts/WUpKc7tfwoE?feature=share

Pat Sumpter, Sales Manager, 918-225-7000, Ext. 12

www.vmidredges.com • sales@vmidredges.com

Call Now       Email Us

#ThrowbackThursday to the early days of dredging innovation!

   #ThrowbackThursday to the early days of dredging innovation!

This vintage beauty is one of our classic VMI horizontal dredges, a testament to our decades-long commitment to pushing boundaries in sediment removal. 🛠️ From humble beginnings to industry leaders, VMI has been creating solutions that stand the test of time.

Who remembers working with one of these? Share your stories below! 📸✨ #VMIDredges #DredgingHistory #InnovationThroughTime #TBT"

Way Back When Article, International Dredging Review, April 1990, Oklahoma Dredge Manufacturer Builds Quality Machines For Sludge, Sand and Gravel

   

Oklahoma Dredge Manufacturer 

Builds Quality Machines For Sludge, 

Sand and Gravel

Courtesy of The International Dredging Review, By Judith Powers, April  1990

Gene Maitlen considers VMI's cutterhead the most successful part of the company's dredge design. The cutterhead is so effective because it is a direct feed to the pump, says Maitlen, company president. As the cutter revolves, the pump sucks a full width draw into the recessed-impeller pump, without having to auger the material to the center. The cutter is reversible, so the dredge can move backward and dig with the same efficiency as when moving forward.

The company fabricates the patented horizontal cutterheads, including the teeth, along with portable dredges from four through 12 inches.

VMI (Vaughn-Maitlen Industries) operates from a new manufacturing complex in Cushing, OKlahoma, 65 miles northeast of Oklahoma City. In business since 1972, VMI's major customers have been sludge and industrial pond operators. When they moved into their new facility last year, they increased both capacity and capability, and are now turning out regular cutterhead dredges in pump sizes up to 12 inches, where previously their largest dredge was 10 inches. They have already sold one of these larger dredges to a sand and gravel producer in Wichita, Kansas, and have just completed another.

Nearing completion, this dredge will cut and slurry heavy materials with its patented horizontal cutterhead, which feeds directly into a full-width suction.

Maitlen's business partner is Bob Vaughn, with whom he spent a career selling construction equipment. Seeing a need for a portable dredge for sludge management, they started their dredge manufacturing company, producing a heavy, durable pontoon-mounted dredge that had immediate success in the industry.

Gene Maitlen has returned to Cushing, the home of his pioneer forebears, and lives on the ranch where he grew up. He enjoys the dredge business and works with wife Peggy and sons Tony and Randy. They made the move from Bethany, Oklahoma - a suburb of Oklahoma City - in March 1989, seeking a rural lifestyle as well as expanded manufacturing facilities.

Peggy is the secretary/treasurer of the company, and greets visitors from her desk in the main lobby. Randy, who started with the company at its outset, designs the dredges and modifications and is working on a totally computer-operated dredge. Tony joined the company in 1976 as sales manager. Of a more cosmopolitan bend, Tony enjoys traveling for the business for sales and customer support. International Sales Manager Henry Boschen calls on customers in the northeast United States as well as in other countries.

Maitlen designed the building with input from Peggy and his sons, and contracted the construction locally. The shop/office is a two-story corrugated steel building painted the company's signatory sky blue, with comfortable offices in front and the shop running the length of the building in back. An overhead crane serves the entire shop, where three or four dredges can be in progress at the same time. Fabrication facilities for the cutters and teeth are conveniently placed and one wall is dedicated to storage of spare parts.

Behind the shop a second building - a paint room equipped with infrared heat lamps - holds a dredge newly painted sky blue. This is a 12 inch standard cutterhead dredge - one of the first non-horizontal cutters they have made. VMI dredges are coated with coal tar epoxy below the waterline after being sandblasted to bare metal. Anodes are added when a dredge is bound for seawater, to resist corrosion.

Gene Maitlen with a dredge in progress in VMI's year old plant.

Over the years they have modified the dredge design to add certain improvements. A rubber shock absorber on the cutter motor takes the impact and prevents the drive shaft from breaking if the cutter hits a rock or other hard objects. All the systems are hydraulic, operated with each circuit having its own individual pump. This gives it the capability of all systems operating simultaneously without any loss of power. Using Cummins and Cat engines for power, VMI puts a 234 horsepower engine on a six inch dredge, correspondingly larger engines on larger pumps. This is more power than other manufacturers use, says Maitlen, but it insures that all the systems have adequate power at all times.

Gene Maitlen, right, describes the patented hydraulic lift connector on the sludge injection plow the company manufactures.  His visitor is Mike Cykoski.

The cutter suction dredges operate from swing cables and spuds, while the horizontal cutter dredges move on a single line traverse anchored on shore. All functions are variable speed and not operated from gearboxes. Combined with adequate horsepower to drive the system, VMI's machines maintain sufficient head to move material as far as necessary in any project. Relief valves are built into the hydraulic pumps and motors.

The dredge pontoons are filled with foam to prevent the dredge from sinking. This is important in remote areas, where armed passersby may take pot shots at a dredge, says Maitlen. Even if someone drilled a line of holes with a machine gun, a foam-filled dredge would only float lower in the water, he said.

Since the move to Cushing, part of the identity of the company is taken from the town and surrounding territory, the traditional land of the Sac and Fox Indian nation. One of VMI's welders, Josh Williamson, is a full blooded Sac and Fox who does competition Native American dancing throughout the country in his spare time. Dressed in full regalia, he entertained at VMI's opening ceremonies last March when the facility opened, along with several other local dancers. Prisci Dean, another VMI employee, is also part Sac and Fox.

"I suppose your first question is why anyone is building dredges in the middle of Oklahoma," said Maitlen to a visitor. Besides giving the family a rural lifestyle in their ancestral home, Cushing offers a good opportunity for business. The local Chamber of Commerce offers land at no cost to new industry moving in, and donated six acres worth $3000 an acre to VMI in a business park east of town. VMI provides 15 jobs, an annual payroll exceeding $200,000 and county taxes.

Dependent on the oil industry, Cushing has seen a decline in recent years and has a workforce eager for employment, according to Tony Kaai, President of the Chamber of Commerce. A rural community of about 8000, Cushing is an old-fashioned prairie town, with clean wide streets lined with hundred-year-old houses. VMI's presence in the community has added jobs and income, and the Maitlens' valuable participation in the community. They give dredging a good name on the great plains.

https://vmidredges.com/qualitymachines.html

The VMI Dredges Swamp Hoe is Rolling Out to Missouri!

   

The VMI Dredges Swamp Hoe is Rolling Out to Missouri!

When the job calls for tough terrain and deep digging, this beast delivers. The VMI Swamp Hoe is built to tackle marshes, wetlands, and more, getting the job done where others can’t.

Missouri, get ready. This machine is coming to make an impact!

#VMIDredges #SwampHoe #Dredging #DredgingAintEasy #thisishowyoudredge #MissouriBound #DredgeLife

 https://youtube.com/shorts/jyN4seJxkR0?feature=share

Pat Sumpter, Sales Manager, 918-225-7000, Ext. 12

www.vmidredges.com • sales@vmidredges.com

Call Now       Email Us

This is what precision craftsmanship looks like! At VMI Dredges, every weld, every cut, and every spark is part of building the toughest, most reliable dredging equipment in the industry.

   

Sparks Are Flying at VMI! 

This is what precision craftsmanship looks like! At VMI Dredges, every weld, every cut, and every spark is part of building the toughest, most reliable dredging equipment in the industry. 

From horizontal dredges to cutter suction workhorses, we build machines that are made to last and ready to perform. No shortcuts. Just solid, expert engineered quality from the ground up.

Dredging done right. Built by VMI.

vmidredges.com

#VMIDredges #SparksOfInnovation #BuiltToLast #DredgingDoneRight #thisishowyoudredge #dredgingequipment

 https://youtu.be/_y-Ccy6J2lc

Guy Says . . . Roses are red, violets are blue, if dredging were easy, everyone would do it too.

🌹⚙️ "Roses are red, violets are blue, if dredging were easy, everyone would do it too." 💪💘

 This Valentine’s Day, let’s give some love to the hard work that keeps our waterways clear, our lakes deep, and our ecosystems thriving. 💧 Because nothing says "I dig you" like a perfectly executed dredge job!

 Tag someone who deserves a shoutout for getting the tough jobs done or someone who just really loves mud. 😂👇

 #DredgingWithHeart #ValentinesDay #GuyTheDredgeGuy #VMIDredges #thisishowyoudredge

 https://youtube.com/shorts/i2cLnYedyNo?feature=share

The Evolution of Horizontal Mini-Dredges: A Legacy of Innovation in Dredge Manufacturing

  

                 The Evolution of Horizontal Mini-Dredges: 

A Legacy of Innovation in Dredge Manufacturing

Horizontal mini-dredges have come a long way since their inception, and VMI Dredges has been at the forefront of that evolution. As a pioneer in dredge manufacturing, we’ve spent decades refining and perfecting horizontal dredges to meet the needs of a growing and dynamic industry. This evolution reflects not only advancements in technology but also our commitment to innovation, quality, and the success of our clients.

The Early Days of Horizontal Dredging

In the early days of dredging, equipment was often bulky, difficult to operate, and limited in its capabilities. Vertical cutter dredges dominated the industry, but they weren’t always the best solution for every job. For smaller waterways, industrial lagoons, and shallow sediment removal, something more versatile and precise was needed.

Horizontal mini-dredges emerged as the answer. Compact, efficient, and easier to maneuver, they quickly became the go-to solution for smaller-scale projects. VMI recognized their potential early on and began designing horizontal dredges tailored to meet these specific needs.

VMI’s Role in Horizontal Dredge Development

At VMI Dredges, we’ve been instrumental in shaping the horizontal dredge market. From the beginning, our focus has been on creating machines that combine power, precision, and reliability. We listened to our clients and understood the unique challenges they faced—limited access to job sites, varying sediment types, and environmental concerns.

Our engineers got to work, designing horizontal dredges that addressed these pain points. The result was a line of equipment that could deliver exceptional performance in a compact, user-friendly package.

Key Innovations Over the Years

The evolution of horizontal dredges is marked by key innovations, many of which were driven by client feedback and real-world demands. Here are a few milestones in VMI’s journey:

Hydraulic Power Systems: Early horizontal dredges were powered by mechanical systems, which could be unreliable and difficult to maintain. VMI introduced hydraulic power systems, providing more consistent performance and easier operation.

Precision Controls: As projects required more accuracy, we developed advanced joystick controls and hydraulic systems that allowed operators to maneuver dredges with pinpoint precision.

Customization Options: No two dredging projects are the same, and VMI responded by offering a range of customization options. From adjustable digging depths to specialized cutter heads, our horizontal dredges could be tailored to meet specific needs.

Environmental Considerations: As environmental concerns grew, VMI took steps to ensure our dredges were as eco-friendly as possible. Fuel-efficient engines, low-impact designs, and advanced sediment management systems became standard features.

Remote Operation Capabilities: In recent years, we’ve integrated remote operation technology into our horizontal dredges, allowing operators to control the equipment from a safe distance. This has improved safety and efficiency on job sites.

Meeting Industry Challenges

The dredging industry is constantly changing, and horizontal dredges have had to adapt. Increasing regulations, tighter budgets, and more complex projects have pushed manufacturers to innovate. VMI has met these challenges head-on, ensuring our equipment stays ahead of the curve.

Our horizontal dredges are now used in a variety of industries, from wastewater treatment and mining to environmental remediation and marina maintenance. They’ve proven their value time and time again, helping clients complete projects on time and within budget.

The Future of Horizontal Dredges

As we look to the future, the evolution of horizontal dredges is far from over. VMI is committed to continuing its legacy of innovation, exploring new technologies like automation, real-time monitoring, and sustainable energy sources.

We believe that horizontal dredges will play an even greater role in the industry, especially as projects become more environmentally sensitive and technically demanding. Our goal is to ensure that VMI dredges remain the gold standard, delivering unmatched performance and reliability for years to come.

Why VMI Dredges?

The evolution of horizontal dredges is a story of progress, innovation, and a relentless drive to improve. At VMI Dredges, we’re proud to have been a part of that story from the beginning. Our equipment isn’t just built to perform—it’s built to last, with decades of expertise behind every weld, bolt, and hydraulic system.

When you choose VMI, you’re not just getting a dredge. You’re getting a partner with a proven history of success and a commitment to helping you achieve your goals.

Experience the difference of a VMI horizontal dredge. Let us help you tackle your next project with equipment that’s designed to evolve with the industry and exceed your expectations.

Darren Waldeck, Director of Business Development, 918-399-6013

Pat Sumpter, Sales Manager, 918-225-7000, Ext. 12

www.vmidredges.com • sales@vmidredges.com

Call Now       Email Us

#VMIDredges #HorizontalDredges #InnovationInDredging #DredgingEvolution #BuiltToLast #FutureOfDredging