Airports throughout the world are plagued by the build up of rubber which is deposited from the tyres of landing aircraft.

Our unique high-pressure runway rubber removal water-jet system can operate at any pressure between 400bar and 2,800bar. The chosen pressure is dependant upon the construction and condition of the runway. We utilise only high-pressure water and do not require the addition of environmentally hazardous chemicals or expensive and damaging wire brushes.

Today, high-pressure water jets remove rubber from runways and maintain the safety in some of the busiest airports in the world.

Jetting systems runway rubber removal system

The OSPREY is modular in its design and may be configured for any or all of the following applications.

100% rubber removal from a grooved surface without damage to the surface.
The OSPREY is a compact high-powered rubber removal unit using minimal components, making it self-contained and easy to manoeuvre.
Line marking removal without damage to the underlying surface.
OSPREY 45t runway rubber removal unit (picture courtesy of Foster Contracting).
The rubber removal assembly is mounted on the front of the vehicle and may be quickly lifted; a trailer is not required for transportation.
  • Removal of rubber from touch down zones at up to 1,200m²/hr
  • Line and marking removal
  • Apron cleaning
  • Oil and fuel oil spill recovery
  • Cleaning of maintenance areas

Truck-mounted runway rubber removal system

The OSPREY system is based on a self-contained truck-mounted unit that can be tailor-made to suit the customer’s requirements. The debris recovery hood is deployed quickly from within the operator’s cab and all functions necessary for the rubber removal operation can also be performed from the driver’s seat. When the surface has been jetted, a powerful suction system conveys the debris into the collection tank. The surface will be left almost totally dry and clean ready for application of markings if desired.

The forward speed of the cleaning vehicle can be accurately controlled through a mechanical reduction gearbox that reduces the forward speed to the optimum speed for rubber removal. If higher forward speeds are needed when cleaning lightly soiled areas or evacuating the landing area, the gearbox can be quickly disengaged.

Rates of rubber removal

The rubber stripping rate achieved in operation will depend upon a number of factors. These will include:

  • Initial degree of contamination
  • Number of cleaning passes required
  • Access to the work area
  • Weather conditions
  • Water capacity of vehicle

With a normal width cleaning hood of 2m and a forward speed of 600mt/hr the machine can cover up to 1200m²/hr. This figure is dependant upon surface condition and water jet pressure.

All runways are now subject to frequent friction tests to ensure that any rubber build up has not left them unsafe to use. With high work rates and a deep cleaning ability, the OSPREY is an ideal solution to these ever-present problems.

High and ultra high-pressure water jetting technology

In addition to our specialised OSPREY runway rubber removal system, Jetting Systems is a major supplier of standard sewer cleaning equipment and bespoke high-pressure water-jet cleaning systems for industry.

We have many years’ experience in the field of high and ultra high-pressure water jetting technology and are able to tailor high-pressure water-jet cleaning and cutting solutions to fit many applications.

Typical applications include sewer cleaning, surface coating and rust removal, tube and pipe cleaning, reactor vessel cleaning, underwater cleaning, and hydro blasting.

An extensive range of high-pressure water-jet safety clothing and footwear and CCTV pipeline inspection systems complement our water jetting products.