Case Studies
Airport Deicer Truck Case Study
For the Operations & Facilities Manager, the priority was clear: Increase the airport deicer truck liquid capacity without compromising spreader functionality, vehicle balance, or reliability.
Introduction:
Regional Airport – Northern Central Wisconsin Challenging winter climate with frequent snow, ice, and freezing rain requiring consistent runway treatment to maintain safe airfield operations.
The Problem:
The airport’s deicer truck was originally equipped with twin 80-gallon molded tanks, providing a total on-board liquid capacity of just 160 gallons.
During extended winter weather events, the limited capacity created operational constraints:
Frequent refilling during snow and ice events
Increased downtime between treatment cycles
Reduced per-load runway coverage
Greater strain on staffing and equipment scheduling
The Solution:
Custom Plastic Fabrications (CPF) evaluated the truck’s configuration, performance requirements, and winter operating conditions. CPF designed and delivered a custom airport deicer truck twin-tank system, engineered specifically for airport runway operations. System Specifications: Twin custom-fabricated polypropylene tanks 175 gallons each (350 gallons total capacity) Side-mounted on the existing V-Box spreader CNC-cut components with hand-welded construction Integrated fittings compatible with existing pump systems
The Outcome:
By upgrading from molded 80-gallon tanks to CPF’s custom 175-gallon twin tank system, the airport deicer truck achieved: 118% increase in total liquid capacity Fewer operational interruptions Improved winter storm response capability Implemented durable, corrosion-free polypropylene tanks with a low carbon footprint that are 100% recyclable, A tailored solution built for real-world conditions