Menu
Case Studies
Brine Tanks Case Study
Resolving Salt Bridging Issues for Tri-Axle Snow Plow Trucks for WI's Marquette County Highway Department
Introduction:
Before purchasing a Custom Plastic Fabrications (CPF) brine tank, the Marquette County Highway Department was experiencing a significant problem with salt bridging in their tri-axle snow plow trucks.
The Problem:
The design of their existing saddle tank caused the salt to hang up and prevent it from sliding back to the spreader efficiently. This issue had a direct impact on their operations. Drivers had to frequently exit the snow plow trucks to manually shovel salt to the back of the vehicle to feed the spreader. This process caused snow and ice control delays and posed severe safety concerns. Climbing up the wet or ice-covered box alone during winter storms presented risks for drivers.
The Solution:
Marquette County teamed up with CPF sales and engineering staff. CPF staff was able to demonstrate exceptional professionalism and were highly cooperative throughout the process, from initial planning to final delivery. With great communication and support CPF designed and delivered a durable brine tank that held up well under harsh Wisconsin weather conditions.
The Outcome:
Since implementing CPF brine tanks, Marquette County Highway Department has observed several positive outcomes. The drivers of their snow plow trucks have expressed satisfaction with the new wedge tank design installed in the trucks. Eliminating salt bridging has significantly reduced the need to raise the box to allow the load to slide to the back auger. This improvement has increased operational efficiency and reduced physical strain on their drivers. "Based on this positive experience, we have decided to purchase three additional tanks for our fleet in preparation for the upcoming 2023/2024 winter season. Additionally, we plan to utilize one of the tanks throughout the summer to supply water for our hot-mix paving crew, showcasing the versatility and value of your product," Matthew Groskreutz, Marquette County Commissioner.
