What is the difference between the MagTrack and the MagTrack Mini?

The MagTrack and MagTrack Mini are both magnetic robotic crawlers from DERC Salotech designed for industrial cleaning and surface preparation, but they differ primarily in size, weight, and the types of environments they can access. The standard MagTrack is built for open, large-scale surface work, while the MagTrack Mini is engineered to reach confined spaces and tighter geometries that the full-size unit cannot enter. The sections below break down exactly how each model compares across physical build, surface compatibility, jetting performance, and practical job selection.

What are the main physical differences between the MagTrack and MagTrack Mini?

The most immediate difference between the MagTrack and MagTrack Mini lies in their physical footprint and magnetic force. The standard MagTrack is a larger, heavier platform built around a four-wheel universal carrier designed to carry a broad range of modular tooling. The MagTrack Mini is a more compact version of the same concept, reduced in frame size and overall weight to allow deployment in areas where the full-size crawler simply cannot fit or maneuver effectively.

Both units are electrically driven and share the same core design philosophy: a modular carrier that accepts interchangeable tool attachments. However, the MagTrack Mini’s reduced dimensions mean it also carries a lower magnetic holding force, which is an important factor when evaluating which unit is appropriate for a given surface condition or inclination. The standard MagTrack, with its larger magnetic footprint, maintains stronger adhesion on vertical and overhead steel surfaces, making it more stable when carrying heavier tooling under demanding conditions.

From a practical standpoint, the physical differences translate directly into deployment decisions. The full-size MagTrack suits open deck work, large tank walls, and ship hull sections where there is room to operate and the job demands sustained, heavy-duty output. The MagTrack Mini is the right tool when the crawler needs to pass through hatches, work inside smaller vessels, or navigate around structural obstacles that would stop the larger unit in its tracks.

Which surfaces and applications is each MagTrack model designed for?

Both MagTrack models are designed for use on flat and slightly curved steel surfaces, but the MagTrack Mini extends this range to include more confined and geometrically complex environments. The standard MagTrack is best suited to large, open steel surfaces such as the external hulls of ships, the walls and floors of large oil storage tanks, and wide industrial structures. The MagTrack Mini is purpose-built for tighter spaces, including cargo holds, smaller tanks, and internal structures with restricted access points.

In terms of application range, both crawlers support the same core task categories that define the MagTrack system:

• Surface preparation for coating and painting operations
• Oil storage tank cleaning, including internal wall and floor work
• Industrial cleaning and washing across petrochemical and energy facilities
• Cargo hold cleaning in marine environments
• Abrasive blasting using open or closed-circuit methods
• Inspection of steel structures and weld seams
• Waterjet cutting for controlled material removal

Where the two models diverge is in the physical scale of the job. The standard MagTrack, fitted with tools such as the Blast Can or the Curved Blast Can, is well suited to large-area coverage on ship hulls or big storage tanks. The Curved Blast Can, for instance, handles curved surfaces with a radius of up to 3 meters “approximately 9.8 feet”, which makes it effective for tanks up to 6 meters “approximately 19.7 feet” in diameter. The MagTrack Mini, by contrast, excels when the same types of jobs occur in smaller, enclosed, or harder-to-reach environments.

How do the MagTrack and MagTrack Mini differ in high-pressure jetting performance?

Both MagTrack models support high-pressure water jetting across the same working pressure range, from 500 to 3,000 bar “approximately 7,250 to 43,500 PSI”. This means neither model is inherently limited in jetting performance by its size alone. The key difference lies in which tooling attachments can be fitted and how much surface area each unit covers per pass, which is directly influenced by the crawler’s physical dimensions.

The standard MagTrack can carry larger, heavier jetting heads and wider blast cans, enabling greater coverage rates on open surfaces. The MagTrack Mini, while operating at the same pressure range, is typically fitted with more compact tooling that suits its smaller frame. This means the Mini may require more passes to cover an equivalent area, but it compensates by reaching surfaces that the full-size unit cannot access at all.

For closed waterblasting operations, both models can be fitted with vacuum dome systems that collect water and debris without leakage, which is critical when working inside oil storage tanks or on surfaces that must be left completely clean and dry before coating. For open blasting with the Swing Arm or Sandblaster Swing Arm attachments, both models support operation with one, two, or three abrasive nozzles, with height, angle, and pitch adjustable to ensure proper overlap and consistent surface preparation results. The surface produced by either model is dry immediately after blasting and ready for painting or coating without delay.

Safety is a shared priority across both platforms. High-pressure water jetting operations at these pressure levels demand strict adherence to industry safety standards. Recognized bodies such as SIR in the Netherlands, EWJI across Europe, WJA in the UK, WJTA in the USA, and DIRV in Germany all publish guidelines that govern safe operation of robotic and manual jetting equipment. Using a robotic crawler like the MagTrack or MagTrack Mini removes operators from the direct line of the high-pressure jet, which is one of the most significant safety improvements these systems deliver compared to manual methods.

What are the maneuverability and access advantages of the MagTrack Mini?

The MagTrack Mini’s primary advantage is its ability to access confined spaces and tight geometries that the standard MagTrack cannot reach. Its smaller footprint allows it to pass through narrower hatches, navigate inside smaller tanks and vessels, and work around structural elements such as frames, stiffeners, and bulkheads that would obstruct the larger crawler. This makes the Mini particularly valuable in marine and petrochemical environments where internal structures are complex.

In practical terms, the MagTrack Mini can be deployed in situations where manual jetting would otherwise be the only option. This is significant because manual high-pressure jetting in confined spaces carries considerably higher safety risks and is far more physically demanding for operators. By replacing or supplementing manual work with the Mini, teams reduce operator exposure to high-pressure jets, minimize fatigue-related errors, and maintain consistent cleaning quality throughout the job.

The Mini also benefits from the same modular tool system as the standard MagTrack, meaning the same range of attachments, from blast cans to swing arms, can be configured on the smaller carrier depending on what the application demands. This modularity means that investing in the MagTrack Mini does not require a completely separate tool inventory if a team already operates the standard MagTrack platform.

Which MagTrack model is the right choice for a given job?

Choosing between the MagTrack and MagTrack Mini comes down to three practical factors: the size of the surface to be treated, the accessibility of the work area, and the weight and tooling requirements of the application. For large, open steel surfaces with no access restrictions, the standard MagTrack is the more productive choice. For confined spaces, smaller vessels, or jobs where the crawler must pass through narrow openings, the MagTrack Mini is the appropriate tool.

Use the following criteria to guide your selection:

• Choose the standard MagTrack when working on large ship hulls, big storage tanks, or wide industrial structures where coverage rate and tool payload are the priority
• Choose the MagTrack Mini when the work area has restricted access points, smaller internal dimensions, or structural obstacles that prevent the full-size crawler from operating
• Consider both models together on complex jobs where large open sections and confined internal areas both need to be treated, as the modular tool system is shared across the platform
• Factor in surface curvature when selecting tooling: the Curved Blast Can handles radii up to 3 meters “approximately 9.8 feet” on either model, but the Mini’s smaller frame may suit tighter curves better in practice
• Evaluate safety requirements in line with the guidelines of SIR, EWJI, WJA, WJTA, and DIRV, particularly for confined space operations where the Mini’s ability to replace manual jetting delivers measurable risk reduction

Many operations benefit from having both models available, as they complement rather than compete with each other. The standard MagTrack handles the bulk of open-surface work at high production rates, while the Mini extends robotic cleaning capability into areas that would otherwise require manual intervention.

How DERC Salotech helps you choose the right MagTrack for your operation

Selecting the right robotic crawler is not always straightforward, especially when a single project involves multiple surface types, access conditions, and pressure requirements. We at DERC Salotech support maintenance engineers, operators, and field technicians through that decision with decades of hands-on application knowledge and a modular system designed to adapt to what the job actually demands.

Here is what working with us on MagTrack selection looks like in practice:

• Application review: We assess your specific surfaces, access constraints, and cleaning or preparation targets to recommend the right crawler model and tool configuration
• Modular tool matching: We help you identify which attachments, from the Blast Can and Curved Blast Can to the ReCycleBlaster and Swing Arm, deliver the best result for your job conditions
• Pressure range alignment: We ensure the selected configuration operates effectively within the 500 to 3,000 bar “approximately 7,250 to 43,500 PSI” range relevant to your application
• Safety compliance support: We align equipment recommendations with the standards set by SIR, EWJI, WJA, WJTA, and DIRV to help your team operate safely and compliantly
• Custom engineering: For non-standard applications, our engineering team develops tailored solutions built around your specific operational requirements

If you are evaluating the MagTrack or MagTrack Mini for an upcoming project, explore the full MagTrack product range on our website, or contact our team directly to discuss your application and find the configuration that fits your operation.