The cup cutters system, in which Impianti Draganti is a leader in construction in Italy, currently represents the pinnacle of technology in the dredging sector. This is primarily because it doesn’t just separate the material to be dredged; it directly channels it into the suction mouth, allowing for high solid concentrations. Additionally, by working from the top down, it performs exceptionally well even in difficult terrains with clay, sand, and gravel conglomerates, and since it can operate partially above water, it can level banks. Finally, from an economic standpoint, the cup disaggregator is advantageous even when other disaggregating devices could be used. The higher concentration of transported solid material reduces operating costs and, therefore, the cost of extraction per cubic meter. This is mainly due to the design of the cups, which directly channel the dredged material into the suction mouth from the top down, and the solid recovery system, which reduces material loss.
Despite a slightly higher initial investment, the application of a cup disaggregator allows for economic benefits in the short term due to the following best performances:
- Higher solid concentrations (up to 70%);
- Consistent production at various dredging depths;
- Low power consumption;
- Less water transport;
- Versatility (it can operate in compact and/or clayey and/or sandy terrains);
- Guarantee of continuous production with minimal pressure loss.
The pump dredger with a cup cutter is not only the most economical and productive dredging system in existence but also the most environmentally friendly. The consistent production, low power consumption, and higher concentrations of transported solid material, leading to a reduction in the amount of water needed for material flow, along with the use of fully biodegradable oils, make the environmental impact of the dredger virtually negligible.