Airport Runway Cleaner ARC 0800®
The ARC 0800® is a trailer for sweepers. The idea behind this system is to offer smaller airports a combination of a sweeper (which every airport needs) and an optional device for cleaning runways (rubber removal rubber) and removing markings and lane markings on the airfield.
The more movements (take-offs and landings) take place on a runway, the more rubber deposits (or carbon black deposits) remain on the surface.
These deposits lead to poor friction in the rain and thus increase the risk of aquaplaning extremely. This is to be prevented by an effective cleaning/rubber removal.
Various ARC models, with different processing widths and thus different performances per hour of operation, meet the demand of the rapidly growing market.
The system is compatible with many sweepers, such as AEBI Schmidt or FAUN.
Advanced Runway Rubber Removal and Marking Removal for Regional and International Airports
Over time, aircraft landings create rubber deposits on runway surfaces. These rubber layers reduce pavement friction, especially during wet conditions, and can increase the risk of hydroplaning during landing operations. Effective runway rubber removal is therefore essential for maintaining runway safety and ICAO-compliant friction levels.
The ARC 0800® allows airport operators to transform compatible sweepers into high-performance hydroblasting systems for:
- Runway rubber removal
- Airfield marking removal
- Runway retexturing
- Deep surface cleaning
- Surface preparation before repainting
The system is compatible with several sweeper platforms including Aebi Schmidt and FAUN sweepers and offers a compact solution particularly suited for regional airports, military airbases and smaller international airports. The sweeper and our ARC 0800® trailer can be procured all together or separately.
Ultra-High-Pressure Water Technology
SMETS Technology specializes in environmentally friendly ultra-high-pressure waterblasting systems for airports and roadway infrastructure. Unlike abrasive blasting or chemical cleaning methods, the ARC 0800® uses only the power of water to remove rubber deposits and markings while protecting the pavement structure.
This flexible concept helps airports:
- Reduce investment costs
- Optimize fleet utilization
- Increase operational flexibility
- Improve runway friction management
- Maintain safe aircraft braking performance
The compact trailer design also enables rapid deployment and easy maneuverability on taxiways, aprons and runways. It can also be combined with our manual cleaning device (walk-behind) to work below passenger bridges and narrow areas.
Designed for Modern Airport Operations
The ARC 0800® was engineered for demanding airport environments and continuous operational reliability. The system supports airports in maintaining safe runway conditions while minimizing operational disruption and maintenance downtime.
Typical applications include:
- Airport runway rubber removal
- Removal of airfield paint markings
- Surface roughening and retexturing
- Preparation for new runway markings
- Cleaning of heavily contaminated pavement surfaces
SMETS Technology runway maintenance systems are used worldwide by airports, infrastructure operators and specialized maintenance contractors.
Design and Performances ARC 0800®
01
Max. Working Width
800 mm
Note: Lower working width is available by installation of less nozzles in the 800 mm cleaning head
02
Max. High Pressure Performance
2.500 bar
03
TANK VOLUME
7.6 m³ (Minimum)
04
Max. Pump Performance
22 l / min
05
Speed during operation
4 – 60 m/min (0.24 – 3.60 km/h)
steplessly adjustable
06
Rotation of nozzles
0 – 2.000 rpm
steplessly adjustable
07
Rubber Removal Performance
950 m²/h
08
Linear Paint Removal Performance
1,400 linear m/h
