Philippi-Hagenbuch Celebrates 25 Years of Efficient, Safe Dust Control with its Patented Water Tanks

LAS VEGAS (March 3, 2026) — Philippi-Hagenbuch Inc., a global leader in off-highway truck customization, is commemorating the 25th anniversary of its HiVol® Water Tanks. Since introducing water tanks in 2001, they have become a staple of Philippi-Hagenbuch’s custom-engineered equipment lineup, giving customers an efficient dust control solution for new trucks and through converting an existing haul truck to a water truck. From the first water tanks that rolled out its doors, Philippi-Hagenbuch has prioritized design features that emphasize durability, efficiency and safety. The company has manufactured more than 100 water tanks in the past 25 years, and to this day, every HiVol Water Tank is still operating.

Philippi-Hagenbuch will highlight its water tanks and other custom-engineered solutions March 3-7 at CONEXPO-CON/AGG in Booth W42644. 

“Dust control is an important daily task for operations to complete, but facilities often face challenges in terms of safety and efficiency when they use standard water tanks. When we started manufacturing ours, we really wanted to challenge the norm,” said Josh Swank, Philippi-Hagenbuch chief growth officer. “It’s common to get five, maybe seven years out of most water tanks on the market. Our mission was and continues to be to provide a solution that lasts for several decades, not years. It gives us a great sense of pride seeing that all the research, testing and engineering that goes into every water tank has paid off.”

Philippi-Hagenbuch had been manufacturing custom haul truck bodies for about three decades when a customer approached them with a request for water tanks. Striving to manufacture whatever solution customers need to help them haul, Philippi-Hagenbuch began looking at applying their design expertise and standards to engineer a water tank.

While studying the dimensions and specifications necessary for the tank, they realized that volumetrically, a water tank would be about the same as their coal bodies. Philippi-Hagenbuch then studied other water tanks on the market and spoke in-depth with customers about what challenges they faced with these products. The result of the company’s research was a square, flattop HiVol Water Tank with a range of features and technology not previously seen in the industry. That first water tank was delivered to Campbell County, Wyoming, in March 2001, where it still operates today.

Manufacturing a water tank that stands the test of time starts with using high-quality material. Philippi-Hagenbuch water tanks are built with superior-grade Hardox® 450 steel, which is more than 300% harder and more corrosion-resistant than the steel used in most other water tanks on the market. If hauling in highly acidic environments, Philippi-Hagenbuch offers HiVol Water Tanks with Hardox HiAce acidic-resistant steel. The company also manufactures insulated water tanks designed for cold weather conditions, with optional heating for use in environments as cold as minus-40 degrees Fahrenheit/Celsius.

Philippi-Hagenbuch also takes an innovative approach to ensure an extended lifecycle for the inside of the water tank. Most manufacturers use an epoxy coating on the inner walls of the tank, which over time results in a membrane effect trapping water behind the coating at a flex point. The trapped water eventually leads to cracking and chipping of the steel. Philippi-Hagenbuch instead coats the inside of the tank with a rust-resistant primer and has never experienced rust or corrosion in a HiVol Water Tank.

Philippi-Hagenbuch engineers its water tanks to achieve the lowest weight and greatest possible hauling capacity. The square design lowers the center of gravity and maximizes the haul truck’s hauling capability safely, unlike traditional round and trapezoidal water tanks which typically can only utilize 80% of the truck’s capacity in order to avoid dangerous churning. The internal side-surge stabilizers and baffling system fully compartmentalize the water, minimizing churning and improving vehicle stability. Philippi-Hagenbuch’s patented design also makes maintenance simpler and safer with full-sized interior and exterior doors and access points at the top of the tank.

Extensive quality control testing is done with every tank prior to shipping to the customer. After it’s constructed, Philippi-Hagenbuch fills the bottom 20% of the water tank with environmentally bioluminescent material and lets it sit for 48 hours. After 48 hours, they check underneath the water tank in the dark to ensure there are no leak points. Because of the leakproof design, every Philippi-Hagenbuch water tank comes standard with an industry-best three-year structural warranty.

To learn more about Philippi-Hagenbuch’s HiVol Water Tanks and other custom-engineered haul truck equipment, visit www.philsystems.com.

About Philippi-Hagenbuch Inc.
Engineering innovative haul truck solutions for over 56 years, Philippi-Hagenbuch Inc. is located in Peoria, Illinois and has been building equipment for off-highway haul trucks since 1969. During this time, PHIL has become the global leader in off-highway truck customization. In addition to their innovative tailgates, push blocks, rear-eject bodies and trailers, Philippi-Hagenbuch designs and builds end-dump bodies, trailers, sideboards, load ejectors and water tanks for nearly every make and model of articulated and rigid frame off-highway truck available. Engineered in Peoria, Illinois. Manufactured globally. For more information, visit www.philsystems.com.

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For 25 years, Philippi-Hagenbuch has been manufacturing its patented HiVol® Water Tanks. From the first water tanks that rolled off the line, Philippi-Hagenbuch has emphasized durability, efficiency and safety.

 Philippi-Hagenbuch has manufactured more than 100 water tanks in the past 25 years, and to this day, every HiVol Water Tank is still operating.

Phillipi-Hagenbuch equips its water tanks with internal side-surge stabilizers and a baffling system that fully compartmentalizes the water, minimizing churning and improving vehicle stability.

Philippi-Hagenbuch’s water tanks can be installed on a new haul truck or on an existing truck to convert it to a water truck.

Philippi-Hagenbuch engineers each water tank to be the highest quality. The company coats the inside of the tank with a rust-resistant primer and conducts extensive testing to ensure the leakproof design upholds.