What is the cleaning capacity of the MagTrack per hour?

The MagTrack robotic crawler typically achieves a cleaning capacity of around 15 to 50 square meters per hour, depending on the operating pressure, nozzle configuration, surface condition, and the specific tool module in use. At maximum pressure settings of up to 3,000 bar “43,511 PSI”, output leans toward the higher end of that range on well-prepared steel surfaces. The sections below break down exactly what drives that performance and how to get the most from the system in your application.

How fast does the MagTrack clean surfaces per hour?

The MagTrack system cleans at a rate of approximately 15 to 50 square meters per hour under real-world industrial conditions. The wide range reflects the significant influence of operating pressure, surface condition, and the tool module selected. With the Blast Can mounted and running at high pressure, production rates on flat steel surfaces sit comfortably toward the upper end of that window.

For context, the MagTrack Mini uses a rotating manifold with 8 jet inserts and a 180 mm cleaning path. That geometry means every forward pass covers a consistent strip, and the remote-controlled drivetrain allows operators to maintain steady, overlapping passes without the fatigue that slows manual operators over time. The result is a more predictable output per shift compared to hand-held lances.

It is worth noting that the closed waterblasting configuration, where the Blast Can is connected to a vacuum unit, does introduce some additional drag. The 2025 redesign of the MagTrack Mini specifically addressed this with an improved vacuum seal and reduced bellows drag, helping maintain throughput without sacrificing the clean, dry surface finish the system is known for.

What factors affect MagTrack cleaning speed?

MagTrack cleaning speed is primarily affected by operating pressure, surface geometry, coating thickness, vacuum configuration, and the choice of tool module. Each of these variables can independently shift your hourly output by a meaningful margin, so understanding them before deployment helps you plan realistic production targets.

• Operating pressure: Higher pressure, up to the system maximum of 3,000 bar “43,511 PSI”, removes coatings and corrosion faster, directly increasing square meters per hour on heavily fouled surfaces.
• Surface condition: Loose rust and old paint release quickly. Tightly adhered coatings, mill scale, or thick epoxy systems require slower passes to achieve the required cleanliness standard.
• Surface geometry: Flat surfaces allow uninterrupted passes. Curved surfaces, even within the 3-meter radius the Curved Blast Can handles, require speed adjustments to maintain a consistent standoff distance.
• Tool module selection: The standard Blast Can, the Curved Blast Can, and the Swing Arm each have different nozzle arrangements and coverage widths, which directly affect pass efficiency.
• Vacuum seal integrity: A worn or poorly seated vacuum seal increases drag and reduces drive speed, cutting into hourly output. The redesigned bellows and vacuum vent valve on the 2025 MagTrack Mini reduce this risk considerably.
• Operator setup and planning: Efficient cable and hose management, minimal repositioning stops, and systematic overlapping passes all contribute to maximizing productive cleaning time within a shift.

How does MagTrack capacity compare to manual water jetting?

The MagTrack consistently outperforms manual water jetting in terms of sustained hourly output, particularly on large flat steel surfaces such as ship hulls, storage tank walls, and offshore deck plating. A manual operator using a hand-held lance works at a pace limited by physical endurance, stance stability, and the inherent difficulty of maintaining consistent nozzle-to-surface distance over extended periods.

A robotic crawler like the MagTrack maintains constant speed, consistent standoff distance, and a repeatable overlap pattern throughout a full shift. There is no fatigue-related slowdown in hour four compared to hour one. On long, uninterrupted runs, this translates to a meaningfully higher total area cleaned per day, even if peak instantaneous speed looks similar on paper.

There is also a safety dimension that indirectly supports productivity. High-pressure water jetting, operating anywhere in the range of 500 to 3,000 bar “7,252 to 43,511 PSI”, carries serious injury risk when handled manually. Organisations including SIR in the Netherlands, EWJI across Europe, WJA in the UK, WJTA in the USA, and DIRV in Germany all publish guidelines that place strict requirements on operator exposure and lance handling. By removing the operator from the immediate blast zone, the MagTrack reduces the administrative and safety overhead that can interrupt manual operations, keeping the job moving.

What surface types can the MagTrack handle at full speed?

The MagTrack achieves its highest cleaning speeds on flat or gently curved ferromagnetic steel surfaces, where the magnetic crawler maintains full adhesion and the blast can maintains consistent contact. Typical high-speed applications include storage tank walls and floors, ship hulls, offshore platform decks, and large structural steel panels in petrochemical facilities.

Flat steel surfaces

Flat surfaces are the ideal operating environment. The four-wheel carrier holds the tool module at a fixed height without adjustment, passes are straight and predictable, and the vacuum seal on the Blast Can sits flush throughout the run. This is where you see throughput at the top of the performance range.

Curved steel surfaces

The Curved Blast Can extends the MagTrack’s reach to surfaces with a radius of up to 3 meters “approximately 9.8 feet”, which covers small storage tanks up to 6 meters “approximately 19.7 feet” in diameter and the curved contours of ship hulls. On these surfaces, speed is moderated slightly to maintain seal contact and cleaning consistency, but the system still significantly outpaces manual alternatives in sustained output.

Non-ferromagnetic surfaces, such as stainless steel with low magnetic permeability, concrete, or composites, fall outside the magnetic crawler’s operating range. For those substrates, different tooling and carrier configurations are required.

How does operating pressure affect MagTrack output?

Operating pressure has a direct and significant effect on MagTrack cleaning output. Higher pressure within the 500 to 3,000 bar “7,252 to 43,511 PSI” working range means more energy delivered to the surface per pass, which allows faster travel speed while still achieving the required surface cleanliness standard. In practical terms, running at 2,500 bar “36,259 PSI” instead of 1,000 bar “14,504 PSI” on a heavily corroded surface can allow noticeably faster passes to reach the same Sa cleanliness grade.

However, pressure is not a simple dial to turn up for maximum speed. The flow rate also matters. The MagTrack Mini, for example, is rated for a maximum of 25 liters per minute at 3,000 bar. Exceeding the flow envelope of the nozzle configuration reduces impact efficiency and can actually reduce effective cleaning per pass. Matching pressure and flow to the nozzle inserts fitted in the rotating manifold is essential for optimizing hourly output.

There is also a surface preparation standard consideration. If the specification calls for Sa 2.5 or Sa 3 cleanliness, the operator cannot simply increase speed to compensate for lower pressure. In those cases, higher pressure is the tool that enables both speed and quality simultaneously, which is why the MagTrack’s 3,000 bar capability is a genuine operational advantage on demanding surface preparation contracts.

When should you choose MagTrack over other robotic jetting systems?

The MagTrack is the right choice when the work surface is ferromagnetic steel, the job demands a clean and dry result, and sustained throughput over a full shift matters more than initial equipment cost. It is particularly well suited to applications where manual operation creates unacceptable safety exposure or where surface quality specifications are strict.

Choose the MagTrack when your project involves one or more of the following conditions:

• Large areas of flat or curved steel that make manual jetting physically unsustainable across a full shift
• Confined or elevated locations, such as offshore platforms or ship hulls in dry dock, where operator positioning is hazardous
• Closed waterblasting requirements where water and debris must be collected without leakage, for example inside oil storage tanks or on environmentally sensitive sites
• Surface preparation to paint-ready standards where consistent nozzle standoff and overlap are critical to achieving specification
• ATEX Zone 2 environments where the certified version of the MagTrack Mini is required for compliance
• Projects with varying surface geometries, where the modular tool system allows switching between the standard Blast Can, Curved Blast Can, Swing Arm, or abrasive blasting tools on the same carrier

If the surface is non-magnetic, the area is very small, or the geometry is highly complex in three dimensions, a different approach may serve better. But for the majority of heavy industrial steel cleaning and surface preparation contracts, the MagTrack’s combination of magnetic adhesion, modular tooling, and high-pressure capability makes it a strong and well-proven choice.

How DERC Salotech’s MagTrack Helps You Maximize Cleaning Capacity

We designed the MagTrack specifically to address the performance gaps that maintenance engineers, operators, and field technicians encounter every day with manual and less capable robotic systems. Here is what the MagTrack brings to your operation:

• Sustained throughput: Consistent speed and overlap across a full shift, without the fatigue-related slowdown that affects manual crews
• Pressure range from 500 to 3,000 bar “7,252 to 43,511 PSI”: Matching the right pressure to your surface condition and specification, rather than being limited to a narrow operating window
• Modular tooling: One universal carrier that accepts the Blast Can, Curved Blast Can, Swing Arm, Sandblaster Swing Arm, and ReCycleBlaster, so the same investment covers multiple application types
• Closed waterblasting: Vacuum-connected operation that collects water and debris without leakage, keeping the surface dry and ready for coating
• ATEX Zone 2 certification: Available for the MagTrack Mini, supporting compliant operation in hazardous classified areas
• Remote control operation: Keeps operators out of the immediate blast zone, directly supporting the safety standards set by SIR, EWJI, WJA, WJTA, and DIRV

If you want to see exactly how the MagTrack system fits your specific application, or if you need guidance on selecting the right tool module and pressure configuration for your next project, get in touch with our team. We are happy to work through the details with you and help you get the most out of every hour on site.