Innovation Description and Benefit:

The Culvert Cleaner is a custom-built hydraulic auger system designed to efficiently clean out culverts of varying lengths. This innovation utilizes a CAT hydraulic drive head mounted to an excavator bucket, powered by the machine’s existing hydraulic controls. The system features modular auger sections—starting with a pointed lead section followed by multiple 8-foot extensions—allowing operators to clean culverts up to 30 feet or more by adding sections as needed. This design enables cleaning from one or both ends of the culvert, providing flexibility for different site conditions. By repurposing farm-grade augers and fabricating custom attachments, the solution is cost-effective, easy to use, and significantly reduces manual labor and time compared to traditional methods. The Culvert Cleaner improves operational efficiency, enhances safety, and ensures thorough culvert maintenance with minimal equipment downtime.