2025 Buyer's Guide: Crane Mats - Pile Buck Magazine

Key Purchasing Tips and Best Practices

To maximize value and ensure your crane mats meet project needs, follow these best practices when buying and using them:

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Define Project Requirements

Document your equipment specs (e.g., weight, outrigger loads), terrain conditions, and intended use (e.g., crane stabilization, temporary roadway). This ensures you select mats with the right size, type, and load capacity.

For example, a 60-ton all-terrain crane on a wetland site requires 8-inch-thick timber mats, while a lighter excavator on firm ground may use 6-inch laminated mats.

Source from Reputable Suppliers

Partner with trusted vendors like Eiffel Trading, Buckeye Mats, or Ritter Forest Products, which offer a range of new and used mats with detailed grading and load-bearing specs. Buckeye Mats, for instance, maintains inventory across 80+ locations for quick delivery, shipping over 6,000 truckloads in .

Check supplier expertise—Buckeye Mats boasts 14 years in the business with 59 years of combined team experience, ensuring they can recommend mats tailored to your site.

Inspect Mats Before Purchase

For used mats, inspect for cracks, warping, or bolt damage. Ensure lifting bolts are intact, as they simplify loading and installation. Mats with excessive wear (Grade C) may be discounted but should be used cautiously for heavy loads.

Request prior application history to assess stress levels. A Grade A mat used for light roadway access will outlast a Grade B mat used under a 200-ton crane.

Consider Logistics and Storage

Mats are stackable and easy to transport, but delivery timelines vary. Suppliers like Buckeye Mats provide accurate delivery updates through dedicated logistics teams, ensuring timely arrival.

After use, sell unused mats to recoup costs and free up storage space. Timber mats can rot if left outdoors, so store them in dry, covered areas to preserve their 5-year lifespan.

Leverage Customization and Support

Opt for custom sizes if standard dimensions don’t fit your needs. Suppliers like Buckeye Mats partner with sawmills to offer tailored solutions, such as 12-inch x 4-foot x 16-foot transition mats for enhanced safety.

Seek suppliers offering site assessments. Buckeye Mats provides free evaluations to recommend mats based on terrain and equipment, reducing the risk of under- or over-specifying.

Plan for Reuse or Resale

Crane mats are built for multiple project cycles. If you don’t plan to reuse them, sell them on platforms like Eiffel Trading’s marketplace, where there’s high demand for Grade A, AB, and B mats.

Selling used mats not only recovers part of your investment but also saves on storage costs, which can be significant if you store equipment offsite.

By following these tips, you can select crane mats that align with your project goals, budget, and timeline, ensuring efficient and safe operations.

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StartMat™ - Ground Protection Mat

Are you looking for an affordable and versatile ground protection mat? We decided to offer our own with the benefits of the competition without the additional cost! Our ground mats are flexible, durable (virtually indestructible), and come with a Lifetime Warranty! Available in 3x8' or 4x8' sizes, black or white color, and with best-in-class industry standard Diamond Cleat tread!

Why use a ground protection mat?

Heavy equipment can cause extensive damage to your property, resulting in costly repairs and extended downtime. Over the years, HDPE composite mats have taken over the market from plywood, fiberglass, and even steel to provide the most versatile ground protection mat but it comes at a higher cost. Our mat delivers on both price and performance.

StartMat is designed to protect and stabilize your surfaces from damage or degradation due to overuse. They're also environmentally friendly and made from highly recyclable HDPE material.

Do I need connectors?

They're not required, but recommended if you have installed your mats on uneven ground or plan on having your mats deployed for extended periods of time.

Overmount or Undermount Connectors?

Overmount connectors are less expensive and can be used where protrusion by the connector is not a critical issue. e.g. you only have construction equipment running over the mats with no pedestrian use.
Undermount connectors are installed from underneath the mats. They are considered to be faster and easier to install, with a flush fitting and only the nut exposed on top.

4-Way or 2-Way Connectors?

Generally used in combination, depending on your mat layout configuration. 2-way type connectors are used to connect mats end to end on either side of the mat for a continuous run, e.g. two sets of tracks for construction vehicle equipment.
4-way connectors can be used to link 4 mats together by each corner to create a platform or larger working surface area.

Q: What is the warranty on StartMats?

Our Limited Lifetime Replacement Warranty is to the original (retail) purchaser. This means that they have an indefinite warranty. Our mats are warranted against, but not limited to, cracking, breaking, splintering, and chipping. Examples of what would not be covered include bridging, using as outriggers, and placing the mats over large rocks or stumps, which could puncture the mats.

Q: What is the weight capacity of StartMats?

StartMats are rated at 200 psi and can safely support loads of up to 90 tons over grassy fields, sand, and aggregate surfaces in various applications.

Q: Can I drive and turn on StartMats?

Yes, you can drive the most common vehicles and loads on StartMats, including tractor-trailers, forklifts, backhoes, pickups, and other heavy equipment.

Q: Which color mat should I choose?

Black mats are suitable for all use cases except when used on grass or other greenery for an extended period. In such cases, you'd choose our Natural (white) mats, as they best deflect sunlight and prevent browning of foliage.

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