the need arises a vacuum gauge 50 and a line speed gauge 52 which are located within cabin 18 and shown diagrammatically in fig2 are operatively connected to cutter head 25 and discharge or suction pipe 23 line speed gauge 52 measures the flow rate of the material moving through pipe 23 and subsequently through pipe 27 and discharge line 29 and vacuum gauge 50 measures the vacuum on pump 22 cutter head 25 ultimately connects to discharge pipe 29 and includes a discharge pressure gauge 56 operatively connected to pipe 29 and located in cabin 18 there is also a swing pressure gauge 58 a ladder pressure gauge 60 and a cutter pressure gauge 62 located within cabin 18 providing the operator with a visual indication of the status of ladder 20 and cutter head 25 in accordance with the invention the control of ladder 20 and cutter head 25 including the flow of the sand gravel and debris collected and delivered thereby is automatic as described below instead of relying upon the constant monitoring and adjustment by the operator as heretofore required referring to fig3 the dredge automatic start sequence involves first making a start request as at block 64 afterwhich the determination is made if a first engine is within operating range set points at block 66 this first engine is the hydraulic engine which operates the hydraulic pumps for the various winches described above then a determination is made if a second engine is within operating set points of block 66 afterwhich a determination is made if ladder 20 is between swing limits at.