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Customer Story
Box Culvert and Tunnel
Simplifying culvert cleaning for the Ministère des Transports du Québec
Movex Innovation’s M-27 mini loader helped crews remove gravel buildup from low culverts while reducing manual labour, physical strain, and confined-space equipment constraints
Customer
Ministère des Transports du Québec (MTQ) – Matane sector
Application:
Culvert cleaning
Equipment
Movex Innovation’s M-27 MINIDOZER
Work environment
Low culverts, wet ground, gravel buildup, confined spaces
Main issue:
Manual gravel removal in culverts ranging from 1.2 m to 1.5 m high
Results:
- Reduced heavy manual shovelling inside confined culverts
- Improved ergonomics for workers operating in crouched or kneeling positions
- Allowed the machine to enter directly into culverts where rental equipment such as Bobcats could not fit
- Avoided the need for gas-powered equipment, ventilation systems, and gas-related PPE
- Created the possibility of reducing the crew from 4 workers to 2 on certain jobs
- Delivered reliable performance with no major breakdowns or machine-related work stoppages
- Supported continuous work with short technical cooling breaks
- Led to strong satisfaction and interest in renting the unit again
For the Ministère des Transports du Québec (MTQ)’s Matane sector, culvert cleaning had become difficult to carry out using the available resources and equipment.
The work was physical, repetitive, and awkward. Workers had to crouch or kneel inside low culverts, often only 1.2 m to 1.5 m high, while shovelling gravel from pile to pile until it could be reached by a larger excavator outside the culvert.
The gravel built up naturally with rain and other environmental conditions. On one recent job, only 300 mm of clearance remained in a 1,500 mm culvert, which meant water could no longer circulate properly.
The work had to be done. The problem was how the cleaning teams could approach it differently
The MTQ had already looked at compact gas-powered equipment, but nothing available for rent had the right dimensions to enter the culverts directly. Using a gas-powered machine would also have added ventilation requirements, exhaust-related protective equipment for staff, and extra complications for workers already operating in a confined space.
Movex Innovation’s M-27 mini loader gave the team a more practical option.
The challenge: A necessary job that was becoming too hard to staff
Before using the M-27 mini loader, culvert cleaning was heavily manual.
A typical setup required 4 workers simultaneously. Three workers shovelled gravel into the culvert, moving material from one pile to the next until it reached the opening. The fourth worker operated the large excavator outside the culvert to remove the material.
Inside the culvert, conditions were tough. The ground was often wet, soft, and filled with residue. Workers had to shovel while crouched or kneeling, which created a high risk of excessive physical effort, fatigue, and injury.
Recruiting workers for this type of task had also become harder. One of the last crews was made up of students because MTQ could not find other workers willing or available to do the job. At one point, culvert cleaning work was stopped due to labour shortages.
1
Box Culvert Completely Blocked
2
Standard Equipment Can’t Access the Culvert
3
Tough Conditions Inside the Culvert
The solution: Movex Innovation’s compact electric mini loader
The MTQ decided to rent Movex Innovation’s M-27 mini loader for culvert
cleaning work, testing it in the Matane sector.
The machine was compact enough to enter the culverts directly, where larger rental equipment could not fit. Once inside, it could push gravel toward the opening, reducing the amount of manual shovelling required from workers.
Its electric operation was also a major advantage. Because the M-27 produces no exhaust emissions during use, MTQ did not have to install ventilation fans or add gas-related protective equipment for this application. That made the setup simpler and better suited to confined-space work.
Employees organized the cleaning around 1 M-27 operator, 1 large excavator operator, and 2 support workers who could rotate as needed.
In very wet conditions, they added plywood boards to improve traction and help the machine move more effectively over soft ground.
"
The biggest point is really ergonomics. Movex Innovation’s equipment saves my guys a huge amount of manual work.
François Imbeault, Technician and Site Supervisor, MTQ – Matane sector
The results: Simplified culvert cleaning tasks
For MTQ’s Matane sector, the M-27 did more than move gravel. It helped make culvert cleaning manageable again.
Culvert cleaning work could resume
With the M-27, the team could take on culvert cleaning contracts again. The equipment gave workers a way to remove gravel buildup without relying almost entirely on shovelling in cramped, wet spaces.
It eliminates the problems associated with gravel accumulation and drops in water circulation, which can caus drainage issues.
A major ergonomic improvement for workers
The biggest gain, according to François Imbeault, was ergonomics.
The M-27 reduced physical strain and made the work less punishing for team members.
For a job where workers were previously crouched or kneeling for long periods, the mini loader changes how the work feels, how long workers can sustain it, and how much physical wear they bring home at the end of the day.
A smaller team became possible
Before the M-27, the work typically required 4 people: 3 workers shovelling manually inside the culvert and 1 operator at the excavator.
With the MINIDOZER, the team could theoretically reduce the crew to 2 people on certain jobs: 1 operator for the M-27 and 1 operator for the large excavator.
That creates the possibility of assigning other workers to more value-added tasks.
No need for gas-powered equipment, ventilation, or fume-related PPE
Because the mini loader is electric, there was no need to install ventilation fans to manage exhaust fumes.
There was no added requirement for gas-related protective equipment. Workers were not asked to wear additional face protection in an already uncomfortable confined-space environment.
Reliable rental performance with no major breakdowns
MTQ reported no major breakdowns and no work stoppages caused by the mini loader. Maintenance remained straightforward, with normal track replacement and bearing greasing.
Movex Innovation’s customer service was also a strong point. François highlighted the efficient support provided by several experts, particularly for replacing worn tracks and handling bearing greasing. The machine was easy and quick to maintain, which helped employees stay focused on the work to be carried out.
The M-27 supported steady culvert cleaning work, with short technical cooling breaks of about 10 minutes per hour.
Equipment deployed
Mini loaders
MINIDOZER M-27
M- 27 (SS, ST)
The MINIDOZER M-27 is the ideal mini-loader for box culvert cleaning, combining an ultra-low-profile design with the power and versatility needed to work in confined spaces.
Height: 22 5⁄16 in
Width: 27 3⁄4 in
Length: 110 in
Lifting capacity: 642 lb
Need to clean culverts without relying on brutal manual labour?
Movex Innovation’s M-27 MINIDOZER helps public works and transportation teams remove material from low, confined spaces without bringing in oversized or gas-powered equipment.
Talk to Movex Innovation to see whether the M-27 mini loader could fit your culvert cleaning needs.
Curious if our mini-loader could work at your site?
Book a call with the Movex team.