Unusual paddle-dredger...

[mjt60a]

While looking for pics/info on Cleddau Queen, I found this - http://www.megoran.fsworld.co.uk/Independent%20Wheels.htm

[Barrie]

A model of that would be very useful in our sailing water. We lost about the season in 2006 due to excessive weed!

Merry Christmas

Barrie

[rayman]

we have quite a few of those machines working in this country. In fact I think they are an Aust. invention. I know several contractors who go around harvesting with them.

[Roderick Smith]

Ray's post struck a responsive chord.
I had published a photo of one a few years ago.
I can't recall if it had paddles or not, and I can't find it fast.
Googling on aquatic weed harvesters brings up heaps of material.
Here is just one site: www.weedharvesters.com.  It shows models with paddle wheels, and models without.
I suspect that paddle wheels win in the weed-choked environments because any other propulsion method could become choked.
I demurred from taking Jessie II into Lake Barmah: the water was sufficiently deep, but there were too many weeds.  I did strangle the propeller in a side bay where I stopped for lunch above Torumbarry on a recent Murray cruise, but I could recognise the symptoms, and was able to clear the propeller with ease.

Another  of the many google-found documents is www.northcoastweeds.org.au/site-files/docs/forum06/aquatic-weed-mgmt-durre.pdf, showing a paddle-propelled one in use on a Gold Coast (Qld) waterway.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[rayman]

there is one working in King Georges sound (Albany) lower sth. west Australia that has water jet propulsion. The chain grate shown on the ramp in front has a hydraulic operated sickle bar to cut the weed at any depth to 6'. the harvest is transported up the chain grate and deposited on deck where a pair of rams and sliding gate stack it up. Holds about 5 tons. The barge then skedadles of to a selected spot on the beach where the load is then pushed off in a pile and later picked up by f.e.loaders and removed. There are three or more working virtually year round in the Peel Inlet, based at Mandurah, about 60 miles south of Perth. These ones all have wheel drive and are identical to that one pictured.
 Rayman