Introduction
River dredging often faces environmental constraints and equipment limits. This case study focuses on a customized 20-ton SANY 285ME excavator. It was upgraded with a long reach boom and an amphibious undercarriage to significantly improve dredging performance.
1. Why the SANY 285ME Needed a Long Reach Boom
The SANY 285ME was used for river dredging in this project. The operator needed to remove silt from a channel. To help the excavator work in water, RIVER redesigned its amphibious undercarriage. This change allowed the machine to float and perform dredging tasks. It also made it easier to move between land and water.
However, this change increased the height of the machine. The original boom no longer provided adequate reach, creating a smaller excavation radius and reducing efficiency. The limited reach made operators move the excavator many times. This increased fuel use by 30% and lowered daily work efficiency by almost 40%.
To resolve this limitation, RIVER designed and installed a 15-meter-long reach boom.This changed the machine into a special SANY long reach excavator. Now, it has a much larger working area, which is good for river maintenance.
2. How RIVER Designed the Long Reach Boom for the SANY 285ME
Engineering the Structure
RIVER evaluated how the amphibious undercarriage changed the excavator’s geometry and determined the required digging radius. The team then performed load analysis, reach studies, and stress simulations to define the optimal configuration for the 15-meter boom. They used 3D modeling and finite element analysis (FEA) to refine the reinforcement layout, cylinder positions, and boom curvature, ensuring strength and balance during long-reach operation.
Precision Manufacturing
After finalizing the model, RIVER manufactured the boom using high-strength steel processed by CNC plasma and laser cutting. Certified welders completed key joints under standardized procedures.Internal baffles were added to increase torsional resistance.
Engineers checked all welds using ultrasonic and magnetic-particle inspection. These tests ensured the durability required for a SANY long reach excavator working in continuous dredging conditions.
Strict Quality Testing
Before installation, the long reach system passed multi-stage quality control. Engineers checked the coating thickness, pressure-tested the hydraulic circuits, and aligned all joints. Simulated loading verified stability under maximum working conditions.
Once it met RIVER’s standards, the 15-meter boom was added to the machine. This ensured the customized SANY long reach excavator could work safely and reliably in river dredging tasks.
3. Performance After Installation: Key Advantages
Once equipped with the 15-meter-long reach boom, the modified SANY 285ME delivered immediate improvements:
Expanded Working Range
With the new long boom, the SANY 285ME became a special dredging machine. This change improved its operating range and efficiency a lot.
Field data collected one month after deployment shows that the horizontal range increased from 8 meters to 15 meters. The vertical digging depth also grew from 5 meters to 12 meters. This fully covers the project’s required operating area.
Higher Dredging Efficiency
With greater coverage per cycle, the machine reduced movement times and shortened the overall project duration. Operators reported smoother silt removal and improved stability when working at extended distances.
Optimized for River Maintenance
The combination of an amphibious undercarriage and a long reach boom enables continuous dredging operations, even in areas with fluctuating water levels. It also allows for the removal of sediment built up along wide sections of the river in a safer and more stable location.
4. When Should You Consider Using a Long Reach Boom?
- Extend the operating range for ponds, canals, lakes, and riverbanks.
- High-level demolition with a safer working distance.
- Remote or dangerous conditions,such as unstable slopes or underwater obstacles.
- Deep excavation for foundations or riverbeds.
- Large-area earthmoving,such as slope trimming and reservoir shaping.
RIVER supplies custom long reach booms for major global excavator brands(including SANY, Caterpillar, Komatsu, and XCMG),ensuring compatibility with diverse project and equipment requirements.
Conclusion
Transforming the SANY 285ME into a custom SANY long reach excavator shows how engineering can solve specific problems. With precise design, strict quality control, and enhanced structural performance, RIVER improved the machine’s reach, efficiency, and safety for demanding dredging environments.