Product Description
Perfect for dredging and piling operations, the Digger Hopper is a versatile pontoon designed for both excavator transport and on-water operation. Capable of carrying a 2.5-tonne excavator, this vessel provides a mobile working platform from which it can dig, excavate, drive piles, and dredge, putting the material into the large hold.
KEY FEATURES
Length: 40ft
Beam: 6ft 10in
Working Platform Length: 25ft
Draft: 300mm (unloaded), 600mm (loaded)
Max Machine Size: 2.5t (canopy only)
Carrying Capacity: 8 tonnes (materials)
Interchangeable floors for transport or platform use
INFORMATION SHEETS
Unlike traditional digger pontoons, there’s no need to rotate sponsons, making this craft easier to navigate through narrow locks or under bridges. Once on-site, the excavator can track along the full 25ft working platform or be disembarked directly onto the bank.
Stability is a major issue when working on water. Four hydraulic stabiliser legs, powered by an onboard unit, descend to the canal or riverbed to provide a secure working platform. Each leg reaches 1.5 metres below the hull – and can be extended a further metre in deeper stretches of water.
Weighing just 9 tonnes and fully Hiab transportable, this mini digger pontoon can be rapidly deployed anywhere in the UK’s inland waterway network. The interchangeable deck panels even allow it to be converted into a standard materials hopper, offering a versatility not found in other vessels.
Whether you're supporting bankside works, operating in remote areas, or performing routine dredging, this small but mighty platform is your go-to solution.
Gallery
Use Case
Ideal for piling, Nicospan, dredging, and tight-access sites
Transport Method
Hiab lorry deliverable
Platform Type
Interchangeable floors for dual-use (machine or materials)
Operating Machine Reach
Up to 25ft
Stabilisers
4 hydraulic legs (1.5m depth, +1m extension available)
Carrying Capacity
2.5t excavator (canopy only) / 8t materials
Draft
300mm unloaded / 600mm loaded
Working Platform
25ft
Beam
6ft 10in
Length
40ft
LABEL
VALUE
Specifications
Frequently hired together
The Rothen Group provide a high quality, work boat rental service supplying an array of large and small work boats for narrow beam & wide beam waterways.
“The Rothen Group’s knowledge has ensured that potential issues were highlighted early, meaning projects run smoothly and on programme. They have a large fleet of plant and operators too, which reassures that the work will be completed safely and with due care.”
Martin Dean
JN Bentley
“The Rothen Group have worked with us and supplied marine, piling and fencing plant for many years. The team have excellent working knowledge of the UK canal system.”
Jim Walton
CPC Civils
“The works were completed to a high standard of quality both ahead of programme and in a safe manner. All parties were really pleased with how smooth the construction phase went.”
Andrew Smith
Mott MacDonald Bentley
“Your crew worked seamlessly to deliver both the headwall and gabion basket lifts safely and efficiently. Their approach to safety, teamwork, and communication made a real difference and helped keep everything on track.”
Adam De'Ath
Canal & River Trust
"The professionalism, communication and quality of the works delivered by The Rothen Group has been exceptional! From the project initiation phase to delivering the hard work on the ground they have been an outstanding contractor to work with."
Charles Hughes
Canal & River Trust
