A manually operated valve on the dredge head permits the operator to regulate the amount of suction at the inlet of the dredge head and is capable of reducing the amount of suction so as to permit the operator to (1) adjust the density of the material being conveyed, that is regulate the amount of sludge or trash relative to the amount of water that is being conveyed, (2) control the digging aggressiveness of the dredge head, or (3) easily remove foreign material such as rocks, cans or other matter from the inlet of the dredge head or free his hand or foot if it accidently is grabbed by the dredge head. A jet digger may also be used with the dredge head. The dredge head is used for excavating under water and is of the suction type wherein the material is conveyed away from a suction pipe from the dredge head. These heads are, for example of sizes from three inches to eight inches in intake diameter.

A portable and lightweight suction dredge head which is held by a diver and is hand operated so as to be easily moved about in the working position.

Hand dredge pump