This page covers one of the 2020 innovation winners.
DEF Tank/Battery Box Cover
Submitted by: Denny Sutherlin, Cecil Norman, & Lonnie Morian (Crawfordsville District)
To help keep INDOT’s equipment operating reliably through harsh winter conditions, crews developed a protective cover for the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) tank and battery box on snowplow trucks. During winter operations, salt and sand can leak, blow, and pile up in this area, leading to corrosion and damage to the electronics that power both the battery box and the DEF system.
The new protective cover blocks salt and debris from entering these sensitive components, reducing maintenance needs, preventing premature equipment failure, and helping ensure that trucks stay on the road when Hoosiers need them most. This simple but effective innovation increases equipment lifespan and supports safer, more dependable winter operations across the state.
