Background & Challenge
Ford Civil is a full-service civil contractor with a reputation built on safety, reliability, and delivering complex projects on time and on budget. Operating across site remediation, roadworks, demolition, and commercial landscaping, their fleet needed to perform reliably at every site. Ford Civil is known for the emphasis they place on safety and the environment and are highly regarded as being a credible construction partner that values open partnerships and clear communication with their clients.
When Ford Civil approached Allquip, they had a water truck that was no longer meeting operational expectations. The hot-dipped galvanised tank remained in good structural condition, but the pump system, controls, and water delivery components had reached the end of their service life and required substantial upgrading to meet modern performance and reliability standards.
Upon inspection, the Allquip team found:
- Running components, control systems, and the water pump setup all in poor condition
- The chassis showing multiple areas of surface rust requiring treatment to prevent further deterioration
The water tank was structurally sound and well worth retaining, so this didn’t need replacing
The Allquip Solution
Operating across diverse landscaping and civil projects meant that equipment needed to be adaptable and reliable in demanding environments.
A standard water truck configuration could not deliver the level of control, storage and usability required. The client needed a vehicle with customised functionality, improved equipment access, and a design that aligned with their fleet appearance.
Key requirements included:
- Custom spray systems for multiple watering and dust suppression applications
- Specialised storage compartments for tools and fittings
- Custom cab paint to match their fleet branding
- Custom tank colour to align with their preferred fleet aesthetic
- An efficient layout allowing operators to easily control and manage water distribution on site
Allquip conducted a comprehensive assessment of the truck before any work began, covering:
- Full tank inspection and condition report
- Chassis and structural inspection
- Review of the water delivery, pumping, and spray systems
- Assessment of cabin controls and operator functionality
With a clear picture of what needed to be done, the team got to work.
Chassis Restoration
The tank was removed to allow full access to the chassis. Surface rust was treated and removed across the rails, axles, steering components, and accessible areas within the engine bay. A heavy-duty two-pack epoxy mastic coating was then applied in black, significantly improving corrosion resistance and extending the working life of the vehicle.
Hydraulic Pump System Upgrade
The original pump was removed and replaced with a modern hydraulic-driven water pump system featuring variable speed control, in-cabin operator controls, improved reliability and performance, and enhanced water flow management.
Control System Modernisation
A new cabin control system was installed with updated electrical controls, improving operator usability and ease of operation across all spray functions.
Spray System Upgrade
The complete spray system was upgraded to current Allquip specifications. Additional upgrades included a new Nitro water cannon, electric fog nozzle functionality, and improved dust suppression performance across all spray modes.
