A custom dredging robot for 600mm+ sewer pipes that works with the client's locally-made suction truck — no built-in pump. Variable-angle crawler tracks (angled stance inside the pipe, horizontal on flat ground), 100mm suction hose with a stirring roller, full 304 stainless steel body.
Project Overview
An Indian client commissioned a custom dredging robot that can enter and clean pipes of 600mm and above — with no built-in pump, working together with locally-made heavy-duty suction trucks.
Background & Requirements
India has a large number of 600mm sewer pipes. Traditional high-pressure jetting is inefficient and water-hungry, and the small diameter makes man-entry cleaning unsuitable — forced man-entry can easily cause hydrogen sulfide (H2S) poisoning accidents in confined spaces.
Our Solution & Configuration
To work with the client's existing suction trucks while controlling budget and easing transportation, we removed the independent hydraulic power unit and used the hydraulic outlets on the client's suction truck as the power source.
With a very small 600mm diameter, ordinary tracks cannot get enough ground contact. We therefore equipped the robot with a variable-angle track system: inside the 600mm pipe the tracks are angled into an outward splay for sufficient support, and on flat ground or in tanks they return to the normal horizontal layout.
The suction hose is 100mm in diameter, with a stirring roller at the front per the client's request to loosen sediment before extraction. The whole machine is built from 304 stainless steel for corrosion resistance and easy maintenance.
Implementation
After the client approved the design, we completed the prototype and delivered it. Photos of the finished machine:
Results & Value
Working with the client's local suction trucks, the robot cleans 600mm pipes without high-pressure water and without man-entry. With no independent power unit, it is simple, cost-effective and easy to transport — ready to scale across the client's existing fleet.