Are crane outrigger pads required?

Some believe setting up on concrete or asphalt would be safe and you may not need outrigger pads. However, it is recommended to always use outrigger pads under crane floats to distribute ground pressure just in case there is an open cavity or unseen voids,” says Billy Smith EVP of Claims and Risk Management of NBIS.

How much does a crane pad cost?

The cost of the crane outrigger pads is typically reflected by the size and thickness of the pad. Although the purchase of crane outrigger pads may feel like an unnecessary expense at anywhere from $45 to $99 per square foot, the value of the pads far outweighs the price that could be paid without having them.

How big is a crane pad?

Typical sizes are 8” to 12” thick, 4′ wide, and 16′ to 40′ in length. Steel through-bolts connect timbers of random width to form the finished width of the mat. Acceptable service life for a crane mat ranges from 18 to 48 months.

What are crane pads used for?

An outrigger pad is a safety tool that can be used with any equipment that has outriggers, down jacks or stabilizers. It is a must for stability when a piece of equipment – such as a crane – lifts loads or personnel aloft.

How do you size a crane mat?

How to Determine the Correct Outrigger Pad Size

  1. Rule of 5: Take the maximum lifting capacity in tons of the unit such as 50 tons, divide that by 5 = 10 sq. ft. of cribbing or blocking.
  2. Rule of 3: Take the square footage of the cranes fl oats and multiply by 3. Such as a 2×2 fl oat = 4 sq. ft. Take 4 sq. ft. x 3 = 12 sq.

Does OSHA require outrigger pads?

According to OSHA, safety is always a requirement. OSHA 1926.1402 states that, in all instances in which a crane or other lifting equipment is used, the ground on which the equipment is placed must be firm, sufficiently drained, properly graded, and able to support blocking, cribbing, and outrigger pads.

How much does a 20 crane mat weigh?

When you look at crane mats that are normally 12″ thick the weight per foot goes up to around 240 lbs per foot. So a 20′ mat would weigh 4,800 lbs and a 30′ mat would weigh 7,200 lbs.

What are crane mats made from?

They are constructed with dense hardwood or solid Douglas fir timbers.

How is crane outrigger load calculated?

Simply divide the maximum outrigger load by the allowable ground bearing pressure to determine the pad area you need. Example: Maximum outrigger load = 100,000 lbs. Allowable ground bearing pressure = 3,500 psf. (100,000 lbs / 3,500 psf = 29 ft2 of area).

What are crane pads made of?

Crane mats, pads and cribbing are also made from a variety of materials including wood, composite wood, composite plastic, composite fiberglass and metal.

How much does a crane mat weigh?

CRANE MAT WEIGHTS PER SQ. 6″ APPROXIMATELY 27 LBS PER SQ FT. 8″ APPROXIMATELY 36 LBS PER SQ FT. 12″ APPROXIMATELY 54 LBS PER SQ FT. BASED ON 4.5/MBF.

Can you stack outrigger pads?

When stacking outrigger pads, always stack a smaller outrigger pad on top of a larger underlying pad. Never stack a larger outrigger pad on top of smaller outrigger pads, cribbing, dunnage or other supporting materials. Always use materials of a known strength that are designed as support for heavy equipment.