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How TIMS Is Changing Cutter Suction Dredge Mobilization

     How TIMS Is Changing Cutter Suction Dredge Mobilization Before a cutter suction dredge can begin moving material, it must reach the project, enter the water and be assembled safely. That sounds obvious. In practice, mobilization can become one of the most complicated and expensive parts of a dredging operation. Large components must be transported within legal-load requirements. Cranes, crews and assembly areas must be coordinated. Traditional launch procedures may require substantial lifting capacity, complex sequencing and work performed at or below the waterline. VMI Dredges approached that challenge by reconsidering the machine from the beginning. The result is TIMS, the patent-pending Transformable Integrated Modular System used with VMI’s Titan cutter suction dredges. TIMS is not simply a dredge boom that can be made longer. It is a modular approach to transportation, assembly and operating depth designed around the realities of getting a serious dredge to work...
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Way Back When Article November 16, 1989 - VMI is "Going Great" Here

 VMI is "going great" here

By Joe Shimko, Cushing Daily Citizen
Thursday, November 16, 1989

With the ever growing awareness of the environment both nationally and internationally, firms dealing with that issue are benefitting.  VMI, on of the newest firms in Cushing, has felt the increased concern about the cleaning up of the environment.

"We're going great," said VMI owner Gene Maitlen.

He indicated the cirm, which builds dredges, has "more orders now since we moved here."  That doesn't necessarily relate directly to their presence here, but factors such as numerous "clean water acts" being enforced in the United States and overseas have meant more activity such as the cleaning up of waterways.

This has meant more work than ever before for the 15 employees at the firm's site at 1125 N. Fleetwood.  If the steady stream of work continues, Maitlen expects to see more employees hired, to possibly 20 in the future.

VMI, which had its plans for coming to Cushing announced in 1988, saw construction on its two buildings started in April of last year.  By August, the company was ready to start with production commencing in October.

Recently Maitlen and others in the company were pleased when the first dredge, built entirely in Cushing, was sold to the City of Harrisonville, Kansas.

The dredge, which was viewed and climbed by citizens who attended an open house-ribbon cutting for VMI Tuesday, is the MDE415-HS.  The efficiency of both the company and president of the firm are symbolized by the newest piece of equipment.

Ribbon cutting at the Open House held at VMI while they and other local chamber officials stand on top of the first ever dredge built at the new company.

GENE MAITLEN (fourth from left) and his wife Peggy cut the ribbon at the Open House held at VMI while they and other local chamber officials stand on top of the first ever dredge built at the new company. (Staff Photo)

Recalling an Andy Rooney television commentary on the many items that are given names or identities without any significance, Maitlen outlined what each letter and number means.

"The 'M' stands for mini-dredge and the 'E' for the economy," said the owner.

The numbers also have meaning to VMI and its potential customers.

"The 'f' stands for a four-inch pump that can go 15 feet deep which the '15' stands for," he added.

the 'H' and the 'S' are also significant standing for hydro solids.

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Location: 1125 N Maitlen Dr, Cushing, OK 74023, USA

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