Abstract

A framework mounted on wheels to follow a ditch path carries a plurality of siphon tubes suspended at their outer end from an arm pivotable in response to a float detecting the water level in the ditch, and the inner end of the tubes contain water impeller blades mounted on a common shaft through all tube heads, retaining the heads in submerged position in the ditch. The structure supporting the outer tube ends is spring biased to raise the tubes, and each tube has a flexible mid-portion and a water trap in the outer end. A silt remover agitator is mounted on a longitudinal track and powered to move between the opposite ends of the framework to entrain silt in the water for removal by the siphon tubes. A wheel trash remover at the upstream end of the framework is self-powered by the current to catch and eject debris from the ditch water, and a dam at the downstream end of the framework retains the ditch water under the framework. A clock timer controls the movement of the framework at fixed intervals by actuating an electric drive motor that also turns the impeller shaft at the conclusion of each movement.