Crane mats help distribute the weight of heavy machinery and vehicles across a broader area, minimizing stress on specific points and preventing localized failure. This enhances safety, reduces equipment damage and downtime, and protects the environment.
They also allow construction to take place over muddy, marshy, swampy, or difficult terrain, facilitating quick completion and adherence to project timelines.
Place the Mats in a Stable Position
Using crane mats can help stabilize heavy equipment, preventing them from becoming stuck or damaged during operations. This allows construction projects to continue on schedule and in budget, maximizing project efficiency and productivity. In particular, pipeline construction and transmission & distribution projects require cranes to operate in diverse terrains, from wetlands to rocky surfaces. Using crane mats on these types of sites can help to ensure stable operation and avoid the need for costly ground modifications.
Crane Mats distribute the weight of the crane more evenly, mitigating the risk of ground subsidence. This is particularly important when operating in wetlands, marshlands, and soft soil environments where equipment might sink or become unstable. They also help to prevent ground vibration, which can cause damage to equipment and increase the risk of accidents.
When choosing crane mats, it’s important to choose a durable, high-quality product. Some of the most popular options include eucalyptus, timber, and aluminum pads. Each type offers a unique set of benefits, but it’s essential to select the right crane pad for your needs.
These mats come in interlocking sections that fit together like a jigsaw into the stable. They are easy to move around and clean. However, they need to be brushed daily to keep them free from dirt, straw and urine. If you don’t brush them regularly, they will begin to smell due to the build-up of urine and bacteria.
It’s best to use machinery when laying down these mats, as they are too heavy for manual handling. Using vehicles like skid steers and track excavators can ensure that the mats are laid in the correct position and that they have no gaps. Additionally, these machines can be used to remove contaminated waste from the mats.
Moreover, it’s also important to inspect crane mats regularly for signs of wear and tear or damage. This will help you to identify any issues that need to be addressed and make necessary repairs before they can cause a safety hazard.
It’s also a good idea to regularly inspect your outrigger pads and crawler tracks to ensure they are in the proper condition for support. These are essential for safe and effective crane operation, and a number of manufacturers offer software designed to assist lift planners with calculating outrigger loads or crawler track pressures.
Use Lifting Bolts
A crane mat is a heavy timber pad designed to support the weight and movement of construction equipment. It also serves as a way to create safe access routes for machinery in challenging terrains like marshes, swamps, and forests. In addition to protecting equipment from getting stuck and slowing down the project, good quality timber or composite crane mats protect the environment by preventing soil compaction and sedimentation.
The eucalyptus crane mats that Beiler’s Sawmill offers are engineered to distribute the weight of vehicles and equipment onto the ground, rather than putting all the pressure on one spot. This increases their longevity and allows for safer work conditions for equipment and personnel. However, they can lose strength over time due to weather and ground conditions. It’s essential to check them regularly to ensure they are still in good condition and able to support the equipment being used on them.
For maximum performance, it’s important to lay the eucalyptus crane mats lengthwise in the direction of travel. It’s also important to follow manufacturer guidelines for the specific equipment being used and make sure the load capacity of the mat is appropriate for its use.
As with any piece of equipment, it’s best to avoid any unnecessary wear and tear. Performing regular maintenance on the mats helps to extend their lifespan and reduces the likelihood of them developing cracks or becoming unstable over time. Some simple checks include examining the load distribution and checking the grading of each mat. Grade A mats are like-new with minimal signs of wear and tear, while grade B timber mats are in fair to good condition with some minor scratches and dents.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that crane mats must be removed cautiously and in an orderly manner. The more careful and organized you are when removing crane mats, the longer they will last. When removing them, it’s important to avoid gaps in the mats. When working in wet areas, it’s best to run the mats across wet sections until they reach solid ground. Gaps in the crane mats can cause environmental damage, as well as safety issues.
Use Skid Steers or Track Excavators
If a construction project involves navigating through swampy, sandy or muddy substrate, crane mats help create safe access ways for equipment and personnel. This allows projects to move forward with efficiency while minimizing the impact of environmental degradation and site damage.
Using mats can help keep your equipment from tracking in the same direction, which reduces the amount of mud and dirt that gets stuck underneath the wheels. In addition, they can also prevent tracks from slipping and rutting, which can cause tire damage or a loss of traction that can lead to equipment malfunction.
The proper installation and maintenance of these safety devices is crucial. This includes routine inspections, immediate rectification of any discrepancies, and adherence to maintenance schedules. It’s also important to document any inspection and maintenance activities so that everyone involved can be aware of the status of these operational safety devices.
In many cases, the best way to install crane mats is to use a skid steer or track excavator. These pieces of equipment have the ability to maneuver and place mats with ease, making it simple and quick for a skilled operator to install the matting. Additionally, these vehicles are designed to work well on sensitive ground surfaces and will not damage the pads when used properly.
Crane mats are a cost-effective option for constructing temporary roads and pathways in difficult terrain. They can allow heavy lift machinery to operate without the need for extensive ground modification and are ideal for rental customers. These materials are also easy to deploy and remove, which enables the site to be quickly restored after project completion.
When laying crane mats, it’s important to follow the instructions provided by your supplier to ensure that they are installed correctly and safely. In particular, it’s important to not overstack them or stack them up too high because doing so can result in warping and distortion. It’s also a good idea to lay the mats in a straight line rather than staggered so that they are evenly distributed across the ground surface. Finally, it’s essential to use appropriate ramps to help the crane transition from its outrigger pads onto the matting.
Avoid Gaps Between Mats
Providing stable surfaces for construction equipment to operate on, crane mats allow workers to access remote locations without expensive and time-consuming ground preparation. For construction contractors, project managers and site supervisors aiming to maximize cost, efficiency and safety, these adaptable solutions are an invaluable investment.
When constructing temporary pathways with crane mats, it is essential that the gaps between each set of mats are kept to a minimum. If the gaps are too large, the load can shift and sway from side to side, causing the mats to shift, buckle or even break. This can create a dangerous working environment and lead to costly equipment damage, operational delays and even loss of life.
To ensure a tight fit between mats, it is important that the outrigger pads or crane mats are positioned on an area of the ground with sufficient load bearing capacity. This can be achieved by blade soil to remove insufficiently compacted layers, allowing it to dry and drain where needed or adding rock, gravel or cement-like materials to increase the ground’s ability to support the load. Alternatively, the mats can be positioned on top of a subsurface foundation or structural platform.
Regular inspections of outrigger pads and crane mats are essential to ensuring they remain in good condition. This involves a full assessment of their performance, immediate identification and correction of any discrepancies and adherence to regularly scheduled maintenance schedules. Documentation of these activities is also vital for transparency and compliance.
When handling the mats, it is crucial that a telehandler, skid steer or forklift with 2 leg chains is used. This allows for a more stable and controlled operation, especially when lifting long or irregular loads. Care should also be taken when handling these mats by hand to avoid them becoming dirty and worn.
Crane mats offer a quick and easy installation process, which is particularly beneficial for rental customers looking to get their projects up and running without delay. However, like any piece of equipment used for a heavy lift, they require regular care and maintenance to keep them in good working order.