Four Common Uses of Timber Mats

Timber crane mats can be used with good results in many different situations. They are available in a number of different construction materials and can be used efficiently for several goals, such as protecting the environment around a construction site or providing stability for the equipment used while creating a road. There are at least four settings where these mats are used for great results. As you become familiar with these uses of the mats, you may find that you’ll recognize how to best use the mats in your situation.

 

Providing Passage for Machinery

 

One of the most common ways you’ll see timber mats being used is as a temporary passage for vehicles. These “roadways” are constructed of the mats to ensure that vehicles can get through areas without getting bogged down or damaged. The mats ensure that bumps and jostling along the way won’t damage expensive machines such as heavy cranes and tractors. This efficient way to move construction equipment can lead to improved profits and more satisfied clients. The temporary roadways also serve to protect the plants and animals that live in the area where construction is taking place. The mats act as a buffer between the ground and the heaviest points of the large machines.

 

Offering Transportation and Stability During Bridge Building

 

Another similar use for these mats is as bridge decking. This basically means that when a bridge is under construction, there may be certain areas that have been built to the point that people and vehicles can safely cross the bridge, but where the construction hasn’t yet been completed. Timber crane mats can be used to allow cars and trucks across the bridge or they could be used to stabilize the large cranes that are so often used during construction. The mats might also be used to disperse the weight of vehicles, so that the developing roadway doesn’t suffer any damage from the increased traffic across the bridge.

 

Protecting Equipment in Difficult Environments

 

Any construction that takes place in remote areas can be improved with the use of timber mats. Certain environments are less suited to construction projects than others and this leads to the potential for damage to machinery. These areas might include swampy areas, wetlands, land with rugged terrain, and protected areas. For example, oilfields are often established on ground that is difficult to navigate, but the use of timber crane mats can improve roadways and provide a sure foundation for the heavy equipment commonly used by the oil industry.

 

Offering Safety in Excavation Areas

 

Finally, these mats are commonly used as support in excavation areas. They provide areas that are free of the debris that is expected during excavation and they provide a stable place for employees to work and for machines to maneuver. While digging trenches or huge pits, workers can be sure that the ground on which they are working will support them and the weight of the huge machines they are using. This peace of mind may be nearly as important as the very real safety that the mats provide. As workers are able to move forward with confidence, they will be able to work efficiently without feeling that their safety is in question.

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