Construction mats for heavy equipment are a significant investment in your business. However, the upfront costs can pay for themselves over time by allowing you to take on a wider variety of projects that you wouldn’t be able to do without them. One way to mitigate the costs of owning and replacing construction mats is by taking care of them properly. That’s why we’ve outlined some helpful maintenance tips you can use to keep them in great shape.
What are construction mats for heavy equipment?
Construction mats are helpful tools that make it easier to operate heavy equipment, such as cranes or excavators, on difficult-to-navigate terrain. You can use them on any type of landscape, but they’re especially helpful in environments such as wetlands, swamps, marshes, and uneven ground areas.
Most construction mats for heavy equipment are made of hardwood timber, and you can link multiple mats together to create a temporary platform for your large vehicles. Some on the market, however, are made up of composite materials. These mats are lighter, making them easier to position, and they’ve grown popular despite typically being more expensive.
How to maintain construction mats for heavy equipment.
Use caution when stacking them.
Construction mats are durable, but they can succumb to damage when being loaded and unloaded with a forklift. One way to avoid this is by stacking them correctly. It’s recommended that you stack them three mats high with 4x4 boards in between each of the mats. This leaves enough separation that the forklift can easily get in between them while unloading. Plus, it helps dry them out quicker in between jobs, which can further prolong the life of the mats.
Transport the mats carefully.
One of the best parts about construction mats for heavy equipment is that they’re relatively easy to transport to the job site. Using a forklift, you can quickly load and unload the stacked mats onto a train or truck. However, if you don’t properly secure them, they can shift and fall during transportation and become damaged. That’s why you should use tie-downs or hook straps to safely secure them until you get to the job site.
Drive with the grain of the mats.
Wooden construction mats have a natural grain within their wood, and if you drive against that grain, they’ll deteriorate at an accelerated rate. When installing yours at the job site, make sure each mat is lined up so that the vehicles driving over them are traveling with the grain. This reduces the amount of damage they’ll receive when in use and helps prolong their life.
Keep them clean.
Dust, dirt, and debris will inevitably end up on your mats, and if you don’t get them off, they’ll ruin the mats over time. Get rid of the first layer of debris by gently shaking or dropping the mats onto the ground. This will jar embedded debris loose. After you’ve gotten the larger chunks off, use a pressure washer to remove the remaining dirt and debris. After washing them, ensure they’re properly stacked with space between each so they dry out to prevent wood rot.
Do you need construction mats for heavy equipment?
Phoenix Mat has you covered. We work collaboratively with our clients to find the solution that suits your specific needs, and we offer construction mats that help your expensive equipment and valuable operator time stay productive while on the job. With our wooden construction mats, your crew will be able to navigate even the toughest terrains and get the job done much more efficiently. Learn more about our mats, or connect with us online with any questions.
