VMI Dredges is at the Nebraska Concrete and Aggregate Association’s 66th Annual Meeting in Kearney, NE at the Younes Conference Center!
#ThrowbackThursday to a classic VMI cutter suction dredge from the archives! 💪🚜 Built to move serious material, this beast was designed for efficiency, power, and reliability—just like every VMI dredge today.
It’s National Engineers Week, and we’re celebrating the brilliant minds behind VMI Dredges!
From designing cutting-edge dredging technology to ensuring every machine meets the highest standards, our engineers keep innovation and efficiency at the core of everything we do.
💡 Without engineering, there’s no dredging. Without dredging, industries stop moving.
👷♂️👷♀️ To the engineers who power VMI Dredges—thank you for making revenue flow! Drop a 👏 in the comments to show your appreciation!
#NationalEngineersWeek #VMIEngineers #DredgingInnovation #WeMakeRevenueFlow #EngineeringExcellence #ThisIsHowYouDredge
The dredging operation at the Cushing High School Pond is complete and the "mission accomplished" said one of the individuals watching as the huge dredging equipment was loaded on a truck and taken back to the company who donated it for the project. What was the mission? To restore the ponde to its original depth which will improve the fish habitat and clearity, and simply to beautify the body of water near the new Cushing High School field house.
The eight-week project came in under cost - way under cost. In fact it is the generosity of a local manufacturer that made the project possible at all. The dredging machine is one of several owned and manufactured by VMI.
Gene Maitlen, who founded the company here several years ago, was on hand to see the machine loaded. Seeing dredges loaded on trucks is common place for him. The company he now operates with his sons, has shipped their equipment all over the world. This one was being shipped just across Highway 33.
Several of these smaller machines are leased by the day or month for between $1000 to $2000 per day. The Maitlens made this one available at no cost to their community. "This was the key in getting this done," said Dale Cotham who helped pull it all together. In turn, the school provided the operator and Lionel Harris of Harris Oil provided the fuel.
"This is one of the real benefits of living in a small town," said Cotham. "People will step up to the plate to get something done." The pond is now at its original depth of 15 foot in the deepest part and an average of seven foot, overall.
The Bank of Cushing also will help see the pond is restocked with game fish. Jim Shields said the Cushing Vo-Ag class plans to make restocking a project. "None of this could have happened without the help of others."
Operator Kenneth Ward waved goodbye to the machine. The dredging, which made statewide news when he turned up a purse that had been missing for 30 years, had been an adventure for him. He also found old tires, hubcaps, fishing poles and lures and even a Texas license plate. "I also found some grass carp teeth," Ward said. "At least that's what people tell me they are," he said. "Pretty weird." Some of the carp along with game fish were victims of last summer's drought.
An agreement made with the City of Cushing years ago when the city gave McLaury's Pond and surrounding property to the school calls for the school to maintain the body of water for use of the public. Ward was trained to operate the dredge by Randy Maitlen. The job took about eight weeks.
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✅ Protecting ecosystems 🌿
✅ Preventing costly downtime ⏳
✅ Building a sustainable future 🌎
#DredgeLife #GuyTheDredgeGuy #VMIDredges #thisishowyoudredge #SustainableSolutions
The dredging industry isn’t just about machinery—it’s about impact. It’s about solving real-world problems, supporting communities, and shaping the future of waterways across the globe. At VMI, we’re honored to contribute to such a vital industry, and here’s why we love it so much.
At its core, dredging is about creating positive change. Whether it’s restoring water quality, maintaining navigable waterways, or protecting communities from flooding, the work done in this industry has a lasting impact.
We love knowing that the dredges we manufacture play a role in these meaningful projects. From small ponds to major waterways, our machines help keep industries running, ecosystems thriving, and people safe. The dredging industry isn’t just about moving sediment—it’s about improving lives.
Dredging is an ever-evolving field, and we love the challenge that comes with staying ahead of the curve. New technologies, environmental regulations, and project demands constantly push us to innovate.
At VMI, we thrive on finding creative solutions to complex problems. Whether it’s designing more fuel-efficient dredges, developing equipment for environmentally sensitive areas, or enhancing precision and control, we’re always looking for ways to improve.
The dredging industry keeps us inspired and motivated, and we love the opportunity to innovate and grow alongside it.
One of the things we love most about the dredging industry is the people we get to work with. From operators and contractors to environmental specialists and engineers, this field is full of passionate, dedicated individuals who care deeply about the work they do.
At VMI, we’re fortunate to collaborate with clients who share our commitment to excellence. We love being part of their success stories and providing equipment that helps them achieve their goals. The relationships we’ve built over the years are a big part of why we’re so passionate about this industry.
No two dredging projects are the same, and that’s one of the reasons we love this industry. Every job presents unique challenges, whether it’s working in tight spaces, dealing with tough sediments, or navigating environmental sensitivities.
This variety keeps us on our toes and ensures that our work is always interesting and rewarding. From small-scale sediment removal to large-scale environmental restoration, the scope of what the dredging industry can accomplish is truly inspiring.
The dredging industry is increasingly focused on sustainability, and we’re proud to be part of that movement. From restoring wetlands to creating habitats for aquatic life, dredging plays a key role in environmental stewardship.
At VMI, we’re dedicated to manufacturing equipment that supports these efforts. We love being part of an industry that prioritizes sustainability and works toward a healthier planet for future generations.
For us, loving the dredging industry is also about appreciating its history and its future. Dredging has been a critical part of infrastructure and development for centuries, and it continues to evolve in exciting ways.
As a company with over five decades of experience, we’re proud to be part of that legacy. We love knowing that the work we do today builds on the foundation of innovation and progress that has shaped the industry over time.
This Valentine’s Day, we’re reminded of why we love what we do. The dredging industry is more than just a profession—it’s a passion. It challenges us, inspires us, and gives us the opportunity to make a real difference in the world.
At VMI Dredges, we’re committed to continuing our work with the same dedication and enthusiasm that has driven us for decades. Whether it’s developing new technologies, supporting our clients, or contributing to meaningful projects, we’re excited to be part of this incredible industry for years to come.
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Pat Sumpter, Sales Manager, 918-225-7000, Ext. 12
www.vmidredges.com • sales@vmidredges.com
DID YOU KNOW?
Your VMI Horizontal Dredge can dig deeper with an extension kit—up to 20 feet deep! 🌊💪 That means more versatility, more efficiency, and more material moved with the equipment you already own.
🔧 Upgrade your dredge. Expand your capabilities. Get more done.
📩 Ready to take your operation to the next level? Let’s talk.
#DidYouKnow #DredgeMore #VMIDredges #DredgingInnovation #ThisIsHowYouDredge #EfficiencyMatters
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Pat Sumpter, Sales Manager, 918-225-7000, Ext. 12
www.vmidredges.com • sales@vmidredges.com
#ThrowbackThursday to the early days of dredging innovation!
This vintage beauty is one of our classic VMI horizontal dredges, a testament to our decades-long commitment to pushing boundaries in sediment removal. 🛠️ From humble beginnings to industry leaders, VMI has been creating solutions that stand the test of time.
Who remembers working with one of these? Share your stories below! 📸✨ #VMIDredges #DredgingHistory #InnovationThroughTime #TBT"
Gene Maitlen considers VMI's cutterhead the most successful part of the company's dredge design. The cutterhead is so effective because it is a direct feed to the pump, says Maitlen, company president. As the cutter revolves, the pump sucks a full width draw into the recessed-impeller pump, without having to auger the material to the center. The cutter is reversible, so the dredge can move backward and dig with the same efficiency as when moving forward.
The company fabricates the patented horizontal cutterheads, including the teeth, along with portable dredges from four through 12 inches.
VMI (Vaughn-Maitlen Industries) operates from a new manufacturing complex in Cushing, OKlahoma, 65 miles northeast of Oklahoma City. In business since 1972, VMI's major customers have been sludge and industrial pond operators. When they moved into their new facility last year, they increased both capacity and capability, and are now turning out regular cutterhead dredges in pump sizes up to 12 inches, where previously their largest dredge was 10 inches. They have already sold one of these larger dredges to a sand and gravel producer in Wichita, Kansas, and have just completed another.
Maitlen's business partner is Bob Vaughn, with whom he spent a career selling construction equipment. Seeing a need for a portable dredge for sludge management, they started their dredge manufacturing company, producing a heavy, durable pontoon-mounted dredge that had immediate success in the industry.
Gene Maitlen has returned to Cushing, the home of his pioneer forebears, and lives on the ranch where he grew up. He enjoys the dredge business and works with wife Peggy and sons Tony and Randy. They made the move from Bethany, Oklahoma - a suburb of Oklahoma City - in March 1989, seeking a rural lifestyle as well as expanded manufacturing facilities.
Peggy is the secretary/treasurer of the company, and greets visitors from her desk in the main lobby. Randy, who started with the company at its outset, designs the dredges and modifications and is working on a totally computer-operated dredge. Tony joined the company in 1976 as sales manager. Of a more cosmopolitan bend, Tony enjoys traveling for the business for sales and customer support. International Sales Manager Henry Boschen calls on customers in the northeast United States as well as in other countries.
Maitlen designed the building with input from Peggy and his sons, and contracted the construction locally. The shop/office is a two-story corrugated steel building painted the company's signatory sky blue, with comfortable offices in front and the shop running the length of the building in back. An overhead crane serves the entire shop, where three or four dredges can be in progress at the same time. Fabrication facilities for the cutters and teeth are conveniently placed and one wall is dedicated to storage of spare parts.
Behind the shop a second building - a paint room equipped with infrared heat lamps - holds a dredge newly painted sky blue. This is a 12 inch standard cutterhead dredge - one of the first non-horizontal cutters they have made. VMI dredges are coated with coal tar epoxy below the waterline after being sandblasted to bare metal. Anodes are added when a dredge is bound for seawater, to resist corrosion.
Over the years they have modified the dredge design to add certain improvements. A rubber shock absorber on the cutter motor takes the impact and prevents the drive shaft from breaking if the cutter hits a rock or other hard objects. All the systems are hydraulic, operated with each circuit having its own individual pump. This gives it the capability of all systems operating simultaneously without any loss of power. Using Cummins and Cat engines for power, VMI puts a 234 horsepower engine on a six inch dredge, correspondingly larger engines on larger pumps. This is more power than other manufacturers use, says Maitlen, but it insures that all the systems have adequate power at all times.
The cutter suction dredges operate from swing cables and spuds, while the horizontal cutter dredges move on a single line traverse anchored on shore. All functions are variable speed and not operated from gearboxes. Combined with adequate horsepower to drive the system, VMI's machines maintain sufficient head to move material as far as necessary in any project. Relief valves are built into the hydraulic pumps and motors.
The dredge pontoons are filled with foam to prevent the dredge from sinking. This is important in remote areas, where armed passersby may take pot shots at a dredge, says Maitlen. Even if someone drilled a line of holes with a machine gun, a foam-filled dredge would only float lower in the water, he said.
Since the move to Cushing, part of the identity of the company is taken from the town and surrounding territory, the traditional land of the Sac and Fox Indian nation. One of VMI's welders, Josh Williamson, is a full blooded Sac and Fox who does competition Native American dancing throughout the country in his spare time. Dressed in full regalia, he entertained at VMI's opening ceremonies last March when the facility opened, along with several other local dancers. Prisci Dean, another VMI employee, is also part Sac and Fox.
"I suppose your first question is why anyone is building dredges in the middle of Oklahoma," said Maitlen to a visitor. Besides giving the family a rural lifestyle in their ancestral home, Cushing offers a good opportunity for business. The local Chamber of Commerce offers land at no cost to new industry moving in, and donated six acres worth $3000 an acre to VMI in a business park east of town. VMI provides 15 jobs, an annual payroll exceeding $200,000 and county taxes.
Dependent on the oil industry, Cushing has seen a decline in recent years and has a workforce eager for employment, according to Tony Kaai, President of the Chamber of Commerce. A rural community of about 8000, Cushing is an old-fashioned prairie town, with clean wide streets lined with hundred-year-old houses. VMI's presence in the community has added jobs and income, and the Maitlens' valuable participation in the community. They give dredging a good name on the great plains.
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Pat Sumpter, Sales Manager, 918-225-7000, Ext. 12
www.vmidredges.com • sales@vmidredges.com
VMI Dredges is at the Nebraska Concrete and Aggregate Association’s 66th Annual Meeting in Kearney, NE at the Younes Conference Center! 🔹...
