Crane work is dangerous work, but tip-overs are largely preventable.
platforms made of mats because they don’ t permanently disturb the ground or require excavation or fill. By distributing the weight of the crane, they minimize rutting, soil compaction and damage to vegetation or topsoil.
Work pads constructed of 12-inch-thick hardwood timbers support and stabilize heavy cranes, including crawler cranes, as they pick and move loads. Their loadbearing capacity is second only to that of steel mats, and timber crane mats cost a fraction of the price of steel mats. When the ground is unlevel or the soil is soft, muddy, sandy, backfilled or loosely compacted, installing a timber crane mat under the entire crane area is a smart precaution.
In the absence of a crane mat, outrigger support is often necessary for cranes. Failure to use adequate cribbing and dunnage or appropriate mats or pads to support and level the outriggers can cause one or more outriggers to sink, altering
Crane work is dangerous work, but tip-overs are largely preventable.
the crane’ s center of gravity and throwing the crane off balance. While many crane companies rely on cribbing and dunnage, outrigger mats or pads create a larger contact area and provide a more reliable solution.
Sourcing Options
Purchasing high-quality timber or composite mats requires a significant capital expenditure. Renting mats instead of owning offers advantages, especially for smaller and shorter-term projects.
Financially, renting allows crane companies to conserve capital, which preserves cash flow and frees up funds for other investments. When companies rent mats, there
12 • 515-955-1600 • September 2025