Watex Airport Runway Rubber Removal Vehicle (integrated UHP)
Self-contained ultra-high-pressure truck system that removes touchdown-zone rubber deposits and restores runway friction in a single pass.
The Watex Airport Runway Rubber Removal Vehicle is a purpose-built, semi-truck-mounted UHP water-jetting system designed specifically for the high-throughput removal of tyre-rubber accumulation from commercial airport runway touchdown zones. The integrated unit houses the high-pressure pump, clean-water tank, debris-recovery tank, cleaning-panel array, and vacuum-recovery system within a single heavy vehicle, eliminating the need for any external support equipment during operations. This class of vehicle is the primary tool for restoring Minimum Friction Levels (MFL) mandated under ICAO guidelines and FAA Advisory Circulars. Rubber deposits build up progressively in the first 300–600 m of each runway threshold as tyres spool up on contact; in wet conditions the glazed layer dramatically increases hydroplaning risk. The Watex vehicle operates at pressures up to 2,780 bar (40,000 psi) through a multi-nozzle cleaning panel with integrated rotary heads, achieving rubber removal coverage of 3,000–5,000 m²/hour across a 1,800 mm cleaning width — enough to clear a standard twin-threshold touchdown zone in a single overnight maintenance window. The onboard vacuum-recovery system achieves approximately 95 % wastewater recapture, directing contaminated water into a dedicated stainless-steel debris tank, which is critical for airfield operations where runoff must be controlled under environmental permits. A PLC-and-touch-screen control system with stepless walking-speed regulation allows a one- to two-operator crew to maintain consistent surface coverage. The system operates in ambient temperatures from −6 °C to +50 °C, making it equally suited to Nordic, temperate, and high-heat GCC environments where runway-surface temperatures regularly exceed 60 °C in summer.
Technical specifications.
| Max operating pressure | 2,780 bar (40,000 psi) |
| Cleaning width per pass | 1,800 mm |
| Rubber removal speed | 3,000–5,000 m²/h |
| Clean water tank capacity | 10,000–12,000 litres |
| Debris/wastewater tank capacity | 10,000–12,000 litres |
| Sustained operating time per fill | ~5 hours |
| Wastewater recovery rate | ~95 % |
| Main engine power (chassis) | 316–415 kW |
| Auxiliary engine power | 268–315 kW |
| Gross vehicle mass | 31,000–38,000 kg |
| Operating temperature range | −6 to +50 °C |
| Control system | PLC + touch screen, stepless speed regulation |
Use cases.
- ›Periodic touchdown-zone rubber removal on high-cycle commercial runways to maintain ICAO/FAA Minimum Friction Levels
- ›Pre-resurfacing surface preparation to ensure bond integrity on asphalt and concrete runways
- ›Overnight maintenance operations at major hubs with minimal closure windows
- ›Seasonal friction restoration at airports experiencing heavy monsoon or winter wet-runway risk
- ›Environmentally compliant operations where airfield drainage regulations prohibit open runoff of contaminated water
Replacements & compatible alternatives.
Comparable Ground Support Equipment (GSE) from other suppliers. Cross-shop on specs — confirm exact fit and compatibility with the supplier before specifying.
