YG Machinery supplied shot blasting equipment to a regional airport in Southeast Asia. The runway had thick rubber deposits from aircraft landings. Friction levels had dropped below safety standards. The airport could not close the runway for more than 48 hours.
The maintenance team used a YG-850 road shot blasting machine. The 800mm working width covered the runway quickly. The machine removed rubber and restored surface texture in one pass. The integrated dust collector captured all dust.
The runway reopened on schedule. Friction levels returned to standard. The airport now uses the same shot blasting machine for runway maintenance every six months.
The maintenance supervisor said the YG shot blaster restored runway friction in half the expected time. No dust on adjacent areas. No runway closure extension. They will use it for all runway maintenance.
A Regional Airport Needed Shot Blasting Equipment for Runway Rubber Removal
A regional airport in Southeast Asia had a growing safety problem. Years of aircraft landings had left a thick rubber layer on the runway surface. Tire rubber builds up gradually. Pilots do not notice it until friction drops.
The airport measured friction levels regularly. The numbers had fallen below international safety standards. The runway was becoming slippery. Landing aircraft needed longer stopping distances. The airport had to act.
The rubber had to be removed. But the airport had a problem. They could only close the runway for 48 hours. Longer closures would disrupt flights and cost the airport money.
They needed runway maintenance equipment that could remove rubber fast and restore friction within the time limit.
Why Shot Blasting Was the Right Choice?
Many contractors now prefer shot blasting equipment for runway rubber removal because it improves both safety and efficiency.
Faster Rubber Removal. The machine removes rubber in one pass. No multiple passes. No repeated runs. The 800mm working width covers large areas quickly.
Better Surface Profile
- Restores micro-texture
- Removes only rubber, not pavement
- Consistent depth control
- Uniform surface finish
Lower Operating Cost. Steel shots are recycled automatically. The machine recovers and reuses them. No chemical costs. No water costs.
Dust-Free Operation: Compared with grinding or sandblasting, the integrated dust collector captures all dust. The runway stays clean. Adjacent areas stay clean. No dust on aircraft or ground equipment.
Reduced Runway Closure. Workers no longer need to stop for dust control or debris cleanup. The machine runs continuously. The 48-hour window was respected.
How the YG-850 Shot Blasting Machine Removes Runway Rubber?
Step 1: Steel shot loading. Steel shots are loaded into the storage hopper. The machine controls the flow rate automatically.
Step 2: High-speed propulsion. The blasting wheel motor rotates at high speed. Steel shots are thrown through the directional sleeve at the runway surface.
Step 3: Rubber removal. Steel shots strike the rubber layer at high speed. The rubber is broken into small particles. The surface texture is restored.
Step 4: Recovery and separation. The rebound chamber collects steel shots, rubber particles, and dust. The separation system separates reusable steel shots from waste.
Step 5: Dust collection. Dust and fine particles are drawn into the dust collector. Filter elements capture dust. Clean air is released. No dust on adjacent areas.
Step 6: Steel shot recycling. Clean steel shots return to the storage hopper. The cycle continues automatically. Minimal steel shot loss. No stopping to reload.
The entire process is continuous. One pass. No chemicals. No water.
Runway Maintenance Equipment for Airport Applications
This shot blasting equipment works well in many airport and runway applications:
Runway rubber removal. Remove rubber deposits from aircraft tires. Restore friction for safe landings.
Runway friction restoration. Restore surface texture and skid resistance. Reduce landing distances.
Runway marking removal. Remove old painted markings and runway numbers. Prepare surface for new markings.
Taxiway maintenance. Maintain friction on taxiways and aprons. Keep aircraft moving safely.
Airfield pavement preparation. Prepare surfaces for new coatings and sealants.
Runway grooving preparation. Clean and texture surfaces before grooving work.
Airport apron cleaning. Remove oil stains and rubber deposits from parking areas.
Runway resurfacing preparation. Prepare old surface before new asphalt overlay.
Results: Half the Expected Time, No Runway Closure Extension
The YG-850 was used on the runway. The 48-hour window was respected. The results were clear.
Friction levels returned to standard. The rubber was removed. The surface texture was restored. Friction measurements passed safety standards.
Half the expected time. The maintenance supervisor expected the work to take longer. The shot blasting equipment finished in half the time. The runway reopened early.
No runway closure extension. The airport did not need to extend the closure. No flights were disrupted.
No dust on adjacent areas. The integrated dust collector captured all dust. Runway edges stayed clean. Aircraft and ground equipment were not affected.
Regular maintenance schedule. The airport now uses the same shot blasting machine for runway maintenance every six months. No more rubber buildup. No more safety concerns.
Repeat use. The machine is now part of the airport’s regular maintenance program. The investment paid off quickly.
Customer Feedback
“The YG shot blaster restored our runway friction in half the expected time. No dust on adjacent areas. No runway closure extension. We will use this for all runway maintenance.”
FAQ
Q: Can this shot blasting equipment remove thick rubber deposits?
A: Yes. The YG-850 removes rubber in one pass. Thicker deposits may need slower walking speed or additional passes.
Q: Does it damage the runway surface?
A: No. The machine removes only rubber and contaminants. It does not damage the pavement structure.
Q: How fast does it clean?
A: The YG-850 cleans concrete at ≥600 m²/h. The 800mm working width covers large runways quickly.
Q: Does it create dust during operation?
A: No. The integrated dust collector captures dust at the source. No dust on adjacent areas. No runway contamination.
Q: What power supply does it need?
A: 400V, 50Hz, 100A with CEE socket connection.
Q: How often should runways be shot blasted?
A: It depends on aircraft traffic. The airport now uses the machine every six months. Regular maintenance prevents rubber buildup.
Q: Do you ship to Southeast Asia?
A: Yes. YG has exported shot blasting equipment to Southeast Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and many other regions.
Why Choose YG Shot Blasting Equipment?
YG has been making shot blasting equipment for many years. Our road shot blasting machines feature integrated dust collectors, automatic steel shot recycling, and adjustable cleaning depth.
- Three working widths – Choose YG-270, YG-550, or YG-850
- High cleaning efficiency – Up to 600 m²/h on concrete
- Dust-free operation – Safe for airports and indoor use
- No surface damage – Removes only rubber and contaminants
- CE certified – Compliant for international projects
- 10 overseas warehouses – Fast delivery and local support
- OEM customization – Special configurations on request
