It may seem somewhat strange that in industries driven by high-power and steel-built equipment, steel crane mats aren’t what contractors and construction companies choose for their job site needs. However, there are many significant advantages that wooden crane mats and other mats and pads built with wood offer when compared to steel. Here’s a look at why wood is still the material of choice when it comes to mats.
Weight
Steel is a much heavier product than wood. This additional weight makes moving and placing mats made from steel a bit more difficult, as they can not be as easily dragged or lifted into place. Plus, the extra weight adds to shipping costs when moving mats from location to location.
Cost
Wood crane mats are generally cheaper as there is not as much construction and refinement required when building them. Steel generally needs to be smelted, poured and molded into the desired shape. Wooden mats can be easily built to a desired dimension by using longer or shorter boards – or even cutting them to spec!
Flexibility
Wood mats also offer a slight degree of flexibility in the field, which can be a useful trait in some applications. Mats are built using high-quality hardwoods, but not varieties that can snap when weight is too extreme. This also affords wood mat users a bit of bendability and cracking that can provide a visual or audible sign of excessive weight, and allow site managers to adapt their mat placement or equipment use accordingly before a serious issue occurs.
Traction
Each wooden mat has a natural wood grain that can help provide a degree of traction for equipment being driven on the surface. Steel mats, however, are often topped with a smooth finish that can become incredibly slick when wet. While different materials can be applied to steel mats, they tend to wear and fall off with regular use or tough conditions.
Select wood crane mats for a tried and true method of providing stability, support and protection on your job site. With 24/7 availability and rapid shipping options, Ritter Forest Products can get mats to your job site quickly and at an affordable price. For more information, contact us today or request a quote online now.
