Patent ID: 7334358

Claim:
A portable dredging apparatus comprising: a) a submersible, hand-operated dredge unit comprising: i) a housing having a platform with a plurality of vertically-extending sidewalls depending downward from the edges thereof thereby defining an undercarriage; ii) a cutting element disposed within said undercarriage comprising a hydraulically-operated axle having a plurality of cutting blades extending therefrom; iii) a wiper blade proximal said cutting element for removing excessive debris retained by said cutting blades; iv) a discharge port for removing the resultant sludge dislodged and agitated by said cutting element; v) a mesh filter screen disposed between said cutting element and said discharge port for restricting the size of debris entering said discharge port; vi) a handle member extending from said platform to allow a user to manipulate said dredge unit; and vii) user controls mounted on said handle member; b) a portable hydraulic power plant having hydraulic hose lines in communication with said dredge unit; and c) a trash pump in communication with said discharge port of said dredge unit.