Iowa DOT Deploys Self-Contained Pothole Patching Truck

In a bid to make road maintenance safer and more efficient, the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) has deployed its first self-contained pothole patching truck. The Cimline Durapatcher, now operating in Districts 1 and 4, offers a streamlined solution to one of the state’s pavement problems.

Iowa’s freeze-thaw cycles create ideal conditions for potholes, and traditional patching methods require multiple workers using a dump truck, trailer-mounted hopper and hand tools.

The Durapatcher reduces that crew to a single operator, who remains protected inside the truck cab while completing the entire patching process.

The truck’s onboard system includes a 300-gallon heated emulsion tank and hopper that together can produce enough mix to apply 10 tons of material. From inside the cab, an operator uses joystick controls to maneuver a hydraulic boom and nozzle.

The system blows out debris, coats the pothole with emulsion, fills it with a rock-emulsion mix, and finishes with a layer of clean rock—all without the need for compaction.

“This truck allows us to keep staff off the roadway, improving safety and letting us redeploy others to different tasks,” said Cory Kirkpatrick, maintenance supervisor in DeSoto/Perry, in a statement. “It also reduces public disruption and provides a better, longer-lasting patch.”

The technology comes in the wake of a fatal Interstate 80 work zone crash in 2024 that killed District 4 employee Matt Dickerson. In response, Iowa DOT has sought safer approaches to routine tasks.

Early reviews of the system are positive, with operators praising its ease of use, accuracy and improved visibility during patching. Officials say the investment will ultimately reduce repeat work and provide smoother, safer roads for drivers.

Source: Iowa Department of Transportation, Cimline