Supporting New Zealand’s Fertiliser Distribution
Ballance Agri-Nutrients’ Awarua site is one of New Zealand’s major fertiliser production and distribution facilities, supplying essential nutrients to farmers across Southland and Otago. With significant daily truck movements leaving the site, Ballance required a robust solution to minimise fertiliser being tracked onto the nearby Bluff Highway — and to safeguard its vehicle fleet from the corrosive impact of fertiliser residues.
The Challenge
Transporting bulk fertiliser brings unique challenges. Fertiliser is not only dusty and messy but also hygroscopic and corrosive — it attracts moisture, accelerates rust, and wears down tyres, brakes, and undercarriage components. For high-volume distribution sites like Awarua, this means fleet longevity and safety can be compromised if vehicles aren’t properly cleaned before leaving the yard.
Ballance needed a system that could deliver a comprehensive clean for every vehicle while keeping operations efficient and compliant.
The Rocktec Warrior Wheel Wash Solution
Rocktec designed, fabricated, installed, and commissioned a custom Warrior Wheel and Underbody Truck Wash System in Ballance Awarua’s dispatch yard. This fully automated, high-pressure system ensures vehicles are thoroughly washed before returning to public roads.
Primary Features:
-
84 carefully directed brass nozzles targeting wheel and underbody areas.
-
Approx. 1285 litres per minute of water at 5-bar pressure for intensive cleaning.
-
Entry and exit steel rumble grids designed, fabricated, and installed by Rocktec.
-
Pre-wash unit with manifold and 8 wash-down nozzles for extra cleaning power.
-
Warrior main wash unit for complete wheel and underbody coverage.
Entry & Exit Wash-Down Features
-
Entry steel rumble grid with integrated pre-wash manifold.
-
Exit steel rumble grid with wash-down features for final debris removal.
Together, these ensure vehicles receive a full clean across tyres, rims, undercarriage, and chassis before leaving the site.
Benefits for Roads and Fleets
For Ballance, the Warrior Wheel Wash is more than just a compliance tool. It:
-
Reduces fertiliser tracked onto Bluff Highway, supporting community and environmental responsibility.
-
Protects truck fleets by removing corrosive fertiliser residues before they can damage metal surfaces, tyres, or brake systems.
-
Extends vehicle life and lowers maintenance costs by minimising fertiliser-related wear.
-
Maintains safety and reliability of transport fleets operating in demanding conditions.
A Reliable Partner for the Fertiliser Sector
The Ballance Awarua project demonstrates Rocktec’s ability to deliver engineered solutions that balance operational efficiency with environmental and fleet care. Alongside installations at Ravensdown Dunedin, the Warrior Wheel Wash has proven itself as the system of choice for New Zealand’s fertiliser industry — protecting both roads and the fleets that travel them.