Airport Runway Cleaner ARC 1000®
The ARC 1000® is a system in which ALL units are driven by the vehicle engine (at least 480 PS).
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.
Airport Runway Cleaner ARC 1000® – Professional Rubber Removal and Surface Cleaning System
The ARC 1000® from SMETS Technology is a high-performance airport runway cleaning truck engineered for professional runway rubber removal, marking removal and surface preparation. Designed for airports, infrastructure operators and specialized maintenance contractors, the ARC 1000® combines ultra-high-pressure hydroblasting technology with a fully integrated truck system for maximum operational efficiency and worldwide deployment.
Unlike many conventional systems, all major units of the ARC 1000® are driven directly by the vehicle engine, providing a compact, reliable and highly efficient solution for demanding runway maintenance operations.
Advanced Waterblasting Technology
Every aircraft landing leaves rubber deposits in the touchdown zone of the runway. Over time, these deposits reduce pavement friction and increase the risk of hydroplaning, especially during wet weather conditions. Effective runway rubber removal is therefore essential for maintaining aircraft braking performance and runway safety.
The ARC 1000® uses ultra-high-pressure water technology to remove:
- Runway rubber deposits
- Paint, thermoplastic and cold-plastic markings
- Surface contamination
- Embedded dirt and debris
- Worn pavement layers for retexturing
- Algae and Moss
The system restores runway friction while minimizing damage to the pavement structure. Compared to abrasive or mechanical methods, hydroblasting technology offers a gentler and more environmentally friendly solution for airport surface maintenance.
Built for Modern Road and Airport Operations
The ARC 1000® is designed for continuous use in demanding environments. The compact truck configuration allows fast deployment, high maneuverability and efficient operation on:
- Airport runways
- Taxiways
- Aprons
- Industrial surfaces
- Roadway infrastructure
With a working width of up to 1,000 mm and pressures up to 3,000 bar, the ARC 1000® delivers powerful cleaning performance while maintaining precise operational control. The infinitely adjustable nozzle rotation speed and working speed allow operators to optimize cleaning performance depending on rubber buildup, pavement conditions and operational requirements.
Worldwide Deployment and Proven Reliability
SMETS Technology runway cleaning systems are used worldwide by airports and contractors across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and South America.
Airport operators and contractors value the ARC 1000® for its:
- High cleaning efficiency
- Low operating costs
- Long service life
- Reliable performance
- Minimal pavement damage
- Low after-sales maintenance costs
International customer testimonials highlight the system’s efficiency, environmental performance and long-term operational reliability in demanding airport environments.
Applications of the ARC 1000®
Typical applications include:
- Airport runway rubber removal
- Runway retexturing
- Road marking removal
- Surface roughening
- Concrete surface preparation
- Industrial surface cleaning
- Airport pavement maintenance
The ARC 1000® is part of the SMETS Technology ARC product family, developed for professional runway and roadway maintenance applications worldwide.
Design and Performances ARC1000®
01
Max. Working Width
1.000 mm
Note: Lower working width is available by installation of less nozzles in the 1.000 mm cleaning head
02
Max. High Pressure Performance
2.500 / 3.000 bar
03
TANK VOLUME
13 m³ (enlargeable on customer request)
04
Max. Pump Performance
32 l / min
Note: Technical performance limit of the most powerful pump. Other pumps available as per customer request.
05
Speed during operation
3 – 80 m/min (0.18 – 4.80 km/h)
steplessly adjustable
06
Rotation of nozzles
0 – 2.500 rpm
steplessly adjustable
07
Rubber Removal Performance
Low layer removal (up to 2 mm): up to 2,800 m²/h
Middle layer removal (up to 4 mm): up to 1,200 m²/h
High layer removal (over 5 mm): up to 900 m²/h
08
Linear Paint Removal Performance
2,800 – 4,400* linear m/h
* Applicable for 1 layer of paint (standard thickness of 0.8 mm).
09
Thermoplastic Removal Performance
2,400 – 4,000 linear m/h
Thermoplastic spray removal (up to 0.8 mm)
Thermoplastic flat line removal (up to 5 mm)
Thermoplastic dot line removal (up to 5 mm)
10
Possible Cleaning Options
11
