While a blizzard may result in a much-anticipated day off of school for kids, there are certainly no snow days for an airport. The runway needs clearing, and shovels won’t cut it. Airports need a machine that can move a blizzard and then some.
Since 1920, Oshkosh’s H-Series with common chassis, various configurations, and multiple attachments have been a go-to for snow removal.
“The H-Series was developed by carefully listening to airport snow removal professionals from around the globe. It has become the standard in serving individuals and teams who operate, maintain and manage snow removal fleets at airports, on job sites, in military facilities, and across roadways around the world,” says Jeremy Bernard, Senior Director of Snow Products for Oshkosh Airport Products.
“Last year, the fourth generation of the H-Series was released, setting the new benchmark for innovation, reliability, and snow removal operations,” adds Bernard.
The H-Series features increased visibility, greater adaptivity, and built-in safety features. The chassis sports Oshkosh’s legendary all-wheel drive, Command ZoneTM electronics, Oshkosh® road-proven auto locking transfer case, and aluminum/fiberglass cab which eliminates corrosion and reduces vibration. An eco-friendly Scania DC13 engine delivers 500 hp at 1,800 rpm, 1,695 lbs.-ft. at 1,200 rpm without DPF and active regeneration as the quietest and most responsive powertrain to date.
Then there are the attachments, augmenting the chassis and its power to handle whatever the situation and sky call for, because, as Bernard comments, “we understand that vehicle downtime is not an option.”
Attachments include:
- The XF Broom is innovation-driven and performance built. Optional automatic functions make easy work of airport snow removal and save transition time at the end of the runway. Adding functionality, the XT-Tow Behind Broom eliminates pile-ups, and Smart Steer allows the XT Tow-Behind Broom to precisely track the plowed path.
- Oshkosh’s two-stage snow blowers provide 5,000 tons per hour capacity with over 200 feet of snow tossing strength. An optional high-speed blower head can blow snow away at 35 mph, and mechanical blower heads can clear roadways from 0.5 to 20 mph.
- With a variety of hard-hitting plow configurations and blade lengths to choose from, worries over what the weather will present are no more.
Bernard states, “Oshkosh’s creativity never stops when it comes to product evolution and the next H-Series upgrade. Oshkosh Airport Products’ team thrives on continuous improvement and exceeding customer and application requirements. Our product innovation and advancements never stop.”
The company’s equipment, service, and support are ready to respond 24/7/365. “Whether in the field, on a runway, or at an Oshkosh facility, our highly trained team and dealers provide critical vehicle support with proven expertise. Our team of experts deliver comprehensive services to optimize vehicle life cycle cost and advance the level of fleet readiness. All of our training programs are structured using measurable learning and performance objectives to ensure task and skill set comprehension. From skilled instructors to experienced technicians, we provide the highest level of support and sustainment solutions,” said Bernard.
In addition to a powerful chassis and robust features, the H-Series offers the most innovative technology available with Oshkosh Airport Products’ All STEER® electronic all-wheel steering system with three sperate steering modes for unparalleled maneuverability. Other technology offerings include weight transfer options to keep weight on the front axle for improved handling; the Command Zone system, which enables components to work in sync, streamlining diagnostic and troubleshooting capabilities; Work ControlTM to help ensure operators can remain focused while on the task; and a road-proven auto-locking transfer case to simplify driver operation, eliminate wheel slip, and protect against damage.
What really sets Oshkosh Airport Products apart is that the company’s offerings, including new generations of products and technology enhancements, are designed to last.
“For mission-critical snow removal, purpose-built equipment is essential. Thoughtful design and development are the only way to align product capability, performance, and technology directly with application-specific requirements. Partnering directly with customers early in the product design and development process gives us a unique opportunity to leverage resources across the greater Oshkosh Corporation,” said Bernard.
Oshkosh Airport Products supports, designs, develops, and produces products in accordance with the FAA – AIP Handbook and the typical minimum useful life expectancy for snow removal equipment is over 10 years. “We’re proud of the fact that we have many customers with multiple pieces of equipment operating over 50 years,” added Bernard.
