How many times have you dealt with heavy equipment struggling to access worksites or having trouble driving over soft or uneven terrain? Working on job sites that are difficult for large machinery to maneuver is not only an inconvenience, but can keep your project from being completed in a timely manner. Luckily, construction mats can help. What are they? How are they made? How can they help your project? Here are our answers to common questions about construction mats.
Also called timber mats or crane mats, these mats provide temporary access to construction sites and a smooth surface for construction equipment. They support heavy machines like cranes, drilling rigs, and tanks, which would otherwise have to maneuver over often unstable surfaces like soil, rocks, wet areas, and more. Operating on these unstable surfaces could cause equipment to tip over, posing a threat to the safety of nearby workers and to the completion of the construction project. Timber mats provide a sturdy, level base for safe and effective equipment use. They’re also used in cities to keep equipment off of surface streets and sidewalks.
Bridge mats are another name for construction mats or crane mats. They’re designed to support heavy equipment at construction sites.
Access mats are a type of construction mats and are typically used as temporary roads to and from construction sites. They’re often made of timber and used in remote areas.
Bridge mats are beneficial for projects in a wide range of industries, including gas/oil, hydroenergy, windmills, electrical transmission lines, and more. For example, companies might use construction mats to support oil rigs during gas or oil exploration. Energy companies might use these mats to support heavy equipment when working on electric transmission lines or building wind farms. Any company working on a project where heavy equipment is being moved or stabilized will benefit from the use of construction or timber mats.
At Phoenix Mat, we harvest timber and process it into several products, including timber mats. These mats are custom made based on your specific needs and can be made in sections up to 40 feet in length. Timber mats can be made from several different types of wood, including oak, fir, and spruce. Timber is cut into boards which are then bolted together for durability.
The length, width, and thickness of the timber mat you need will depend on the size and weight of the equipment you’re using as well as the weight of anything the machine will be lifting. Having a mat custom made ensures it’s sufficient for your specific project and needs.
Timber is an ideal construction material for mats. It’s also great for pallets, railroad cross ties, grade lumber, and more. At Phoenix Mat, we offer all of these products as well as laminated matting, which is available in 8’x14’ and 8’x16’ sizes and in waffle and solid designs. Have timber? We offer free timber estimates so you know how much your timber is worth.
Phoenix Mat provides high-quality crane mats, pallets, and other wood products, as well as superior timber harvesting services. We’re conveniently located in Odon, Indiana, about a two-hour drive from Indianapolis, IN and Louisville, KY. Whether you need matting for a construction project, timber harvesting for your property, or something else, you can trust the team of experts at Phoenix Mat to get the job done right. Click here to learn more and contact us.
