Outrigger pads, or crane mats, are essential for keeping construction equipment stable and working. They help to distribute ground pressure and keep the outriggers off of soft or unstable ground.
However, not all mats are created equal. The quality of the material used to build them can have significant impacts on their strength and reliability.
1. They’re Lighter
Crane Mats provide a stable foundation for construction equipment to work on when the ground is soft or unstable. This allows construction companies to get more done on a job site without compromising safety or cost. They can also be used to bridging streams and ditches, traversing rugged or uneven terrain, or passing over buried pipelines and utilities without damaging them.
It takes around 90 years to grow a single oak timber 20 feet long, making it difficult for the lumber industry to keep up with demand for high-quality wood crane mats. This lack of supply is driving the development of alternative types of construction mats, such as composite mats, that are tough, lightweight, and resilient to tracked heavy machinery.
Composite mats are made from recycled materials, usually consisting of post-consumer High Density Polyethylene (detergent bottles and milk jugs) and post-industrial glass filled PP. They offer immense support for tracked vehicles and the heaviest wheeled construction equipment, whereas timber mats are more likely to break under the weight of tracked equipment or be susceptible to insects and rot.
Steel crane mats are becoming increasingly popular for outrigger cranes because they are strong enough to bear massive loads and resist bending or sinking. They are also lighter than timber crane mats, meaning they require less energy to produce and transport from area to area.
It’s important to choose the right type of construction mat for each job, because doing so increases their lifespan and reduces operational costs. A crane mat needs to be able to distribute the ground pressure evenly so that it can support the maximum load safely and securely. It’s also important that the mats are handled correctly to avoid accidents and to prevent damage.
2. They’re Faster
Whether you’re working on an excavation project or transporting heavy equipment over difficult terrain, crane mats are your first line of defense against accidents and injuries on the job. Crane Mats provide a stable base for your construction equipment to reduce the likelihood of slippage, tipping, or rolling over, giving workers a secure footing and protecting expensive machinery from damage.
The natural wood grain of timber mats provides more traction for equipment than steel ones, which are often topped with a smooth finish that can easily become slippery and cause equipment to lose traction when driving on it. Timber mats also allow for more flexibility, which helps to keep equipment from becoming damaged when traveling over uneven or muddy surfaces.
Another advantage of using timber crane mats is that they can be made in a wide range of thicknesses, lengths, and widths to suit any application. By contrast, steel mats are manufactured in a specific size and can’t be altered once they’re created. This inflexibility can make them less effective in certain situations and may increase shipping costs when moving them from one location to another.
Steel crane mats are also significantly heavier than their timber counterparts. This extra weight can make it more difficult to drag and lift them into place, which can increase the amount of time and effort required on your part to get the job done. The added weight can also lead to higher transportation costs, requiring more fuel when hauling them from site to site.
STRUXURE composite crane mats are lighter than steel and can be assembled quickly on site, saving you valuable time and money. They’re also available in a variety of sizes to suit any job and are designed with integrated lifting lugs for fast and easy rigging. In addition, they can be transported to and from sites more quickly than steel mats, which can save you on freight costs over the course of a job.
3. They’re More Durable
Designed to distribute the weight of heavy machinery across unstable terrain, crane mats are invaluable tools for minimizing environmental impact and fostering sustainability in industrial endeavors. These versatile platforms have a multitude of other uses that go far beyond stability and safety.
For example, in ecologically sensitive areas, laying crane mats helps to reduce the amount of soil erosion and sediment runoff. By providing a functional work platform for equipment, crane mats also facilitate the restoration process in wetland areas. Additionally, by allowing temporary access for machinery to be used in remote environments, they enable projects to be completed without disrupting the local wildlife and ecosystems.
When compared to timber crane mats, steel mats are more durable. This is due to their use of high-grade American steel, which is significantly stronger than traditional wood construction materials. Additionally, they are built with integrated lifting lugs that make them easier to rig up for use. This makes them a popular choice for contractors who need to save on transportation costs and time.
Additionally, while steel mats are incredibly strong and durable, they still offer a little flexibility and “give” that allows them to adapt to challenging terrain. This is important because it can help to ensure that the machine is not being strained in ways that could lead to premature wear or damage.
In a world where sustainability is more important than ever, it’s essential for industries to find innovative solutions to minimize their environmental footprint. Luckily, crane mats are one of these solutions. Originally created for stability during crane operations, they have emerged as a powerful tool for environmental protection and preservation, helping to mitigate ecological damage, conserve biodiversity, and promote sustainable development practices across multiple industry sectors.
4. They’re More Affordable
Steel crane mats have been a mainstay in the industry for years and have high load-bearing capacities. However, they can be costly to ship and transport due to their size and weight. This adds to costs over the life of a mat that can be passed on to customers or absorbed by businesses. Wooden mats are lighter and can save on freight costs.
In addition, wood is a more adaptable material that can be made into mats of various sizes and thicknesses to suit different terrain types. This flexibility helps keep freight costs down and can allow for the use of less mats per job, saving even more on shipping and transport costs.
As mentioned earlier, wooden mats can also offer a degree of traction and support for equipment, helping prevent the equipment from sliding or tipping over. This is especially important when working in muddy, rocky or hilly environments. In contrast, steel mats are often topped with a smooth finish that can be slippery for equipment to drive on.
If you’re a construction professional looking to take on any environment, knowing how to select and use the right crane mats is essential for safe, successful projects. Various types exist for specific terrains, with dragline or digging mats ideal for muddy or rocky terrain, swamp mats for soft ground and rig mats to stabilize equipment on the ground.
5. They’re More Versatile
The primary use of crane mats is supporting the weight and movement of large machinery like cranes, but they can also be used to support other equipment like excavators and other types of construction vehicles. Using these mats under a machine helps reduce the risk of it tipping over and provides traction on unstable surfaces, as well as helping protect the ground from damage from sinking equipment.
In addition, crane mats are often used to create temporary roadways and bridge decking. They can also help stabilize construction work in remote areas or work zones with uneven surfaces. They’re especially useful in the case of offshore construction projects, where workers must frequently traverse rough terrain.
While timber crane mats are a great choice for many jobs, they don’t offer as much flexibility as other options. For instance, they’re not as adaptable to different projects or conditions as other options, such as coir mats or Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) site access mats.
CLT mats are a game-changing innovation within the industry, offering money-saving longevity and reliability over timber mats. They’re engineered to meet the exact needs of each job, making them a perfect solution for offshore and onshore oilfield projects and more.
Another advantage of CLT crane mats is that they’re easier to rig than traditional timber crane mats. They feature a two-point pick design, which means that only one sling can be used to lift a full stack of mats without the need for rigging chains or shackles. In addition, they’re lightweight and made from high-quality, rot-resistant materials. This makes them an affordable and practical option for heavy-duty sites. They’re also able to be shipped directly from the manufacturer to the project location, which can significantly reduce shipping costs.