Nov 25, 2021 | Access Mats, News
Let’s talk crane mats. If you’re in the heavy industry or construction sectors, you’re no doubt familiar with how useful these mats can be when it comes to keeping your worksite safe and your progress on track, but you may not know the benefits of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) access mats, which offer you heavy-duty results alongside a lighter frame that allows you to save significantly on shipping.
As one of Canada’s leading suppliers of site safe access mat solutions, GFI Solutions is proud to carry some of the highest quality crane and rig mats available on the market. Below, we’ll talk about the many applications of crane mats. Read on to learn more.
Rig Mats vs Access Mats
If you’ve been around the industry long enough, you’ve no doubt heard “rig” and “access” mats used interchangeably. While crane/rig mats are a kind of access mat, it’s important to know that there is a distinct difference between the two. While access mats are the more generalized solution, rig mats are a much heavier option specifically designed to deal with intense loads, such as equipment and heavy transport. While access mats may be able to handle some aspect of this, it’s best to go up to a rig mat for rougher jobs.
Applications
Crane mats have a wide range of applications and are incredibly versatile on the worksite, making them a worthwhile investment for those in the construction, oil & gas, and related industries. Common uses for crane mats include:
Cranes
As the name suggests, one of the most common applications for crane mats are for use with cranes and other heavy machinery. Thanks to their tough makeup, crane mats are able to stay in place and act as a steady platform while you operated your rig. Having an extra layer between the ground and your equipment prevents you from sinking into the earth, and helps protect the surrounding environment as well.
Temporary Roadways
Need temporary access roads that can handle heavy loads? Rig mats have you covered! Designed to handle the toughest jobs, your fleet can cross safely, all while minimizing your environmental disruption and avoiding costly mishaps.
Excavation Assistance
As we mentioned above, crane mats are particularly useful for stabilizing heavy equipment like cranes, but they also play a vital role in excavation by keeping your machinery stable and allowing your crew to work safely and efficiently.
Pipelines
Finally, crane mats are essential to pipeline construction as they allow pipe trucks and operators to work without disrupting laying or damaging materials. Crane mats can also be used as an air bridge over exiting lines to prevent traffic from coming into contact with the pipe itself.
Need Access Matting Solutions You Can Trust?
GFI is here to help. With 24/7, 365 service, our team is here to ensure you have the support you need Canada-wide. Contact us today to learn more!
Nov 25, 2021 | Access Mats, News
Does your team need swamp mat solutions that you can count on? Tired of going over budget on mats that just don’t work and leave you having to constantly replace failure after failure? Whether you’re looking for short-term swamp mat rentals or a long-term investment, GFI Solutions has you covered. As Western Canada’s top source for access mat rentals and sales throughout Alberta’s hot spots like Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton, and more, our team partners with major players in multiple industries to provide exceptional site access support from CLT mats to bridges, inventory management, delivery, installation and more.
Learn more about site safe CLT mats, as well as GFI’s rental solutions, below.
CLT Mats: Your Job Site’s Best Friend
We all know that Canada’s landscape can be less than kind when it comes to running a smooth project from start to finish. From changing seasons to shifting weather and tough terrain, site access mats are a no-brainer when it comes to helping your team stay on track.
If you’ve been stuck using traditional bolted mats for years and are looking for a new solution that’s guaranteed to save you time and money, it’s time to make the switch to CLT access mats.
Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats are one of the newest options on the market; but have quickly become one of the most trusted and depended on for those in the heavy industry sectors. Weighing up to 40% less than standard bolted mats and offering a life cycle that is 3-5 times the length, CLT mats give you unbeatable ROI for both rentals and purchases, and keep your job sites secure, no matter the circumstances.
With the heavier duty models capable of tackling jobs once reserved for rig and crane mats, all while still offering a lighter profile, your savings are ready to roll in. In fact, that lighter weight profile we mentioned allows you to ship up to 25% more mats per load, and with same-day shipping and extra fast delivery from GFI available, you’ll never have to worry about breaking the bank for subpar resources ever again.
How They Works
The secret to the success of Cross Laminated Timber mats lays in their unique design and composition. Unlike other mats that are bolted together, CLT mats are made by bonding alternating perpendicular layers of wood with an environmentally safe adhesive. This process of bonding planks together makes the mats extremely flexible, allowing them to evenly distribute weight and pressure and alleviate the concern of sudden failures.
When you choose CLT mats, you gain the advantages of highly innovative design as well as increased safety and performance that’s sure to blow your previous mats out of the water.
GFI: Here When It Matters Most
With decades of combined experience in the industry under our belts, GFI Solutions understands just how important it is to have access to reliable, cost-effective solutions when it matters most. Our commitment to our customers extends well beyond offering superior products to exceptional round-the-clock service. From 24/7 rental and sales support to inventory management, mat washing, expedited delivery installation and more, GFI Solutions is here to ensure that your project has everything you need to continue on schedule. Whether you’re looking to test out the durability of CLT mats before buying or need to replace failing mats, we’re here to help. Contact our team today to learn more.
Nov 18, 2021 | Access Mats, News
GFI Solutions is Calgary’s premier source for rig mats. Our site safe access rig mats work perfectly to give you long-lasting performance. We save you money on transportation, installation and removal costs.
GFI Solutions’ rig mats are the best choice for your access mat needs with unmatched quality and ROI.
Save on Transportation
As Canada’s exclusive source for Sterling Solutions’ Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) rig mats, we are excited to bring you the benefits of such an innovative matting solution.
Built with southern yellow pine fibre instead of the 30% heavier and more commonly used Douglas fir, CLT mats are much lighter than the standard site access rig mats. With this difference in weight, we can save you up to 50% on freight costs. By saving you up to half of the cost, CLT mats give you more money to stay safely within budget.
Save on Installation And Removal
Installation costs can be a significant strain on your budget. With CLT safe access mats, installation is quick and efficient. These mats take much less time to install and save you up to 40% on labour and equipment costs. Not to mention less time on installation means more time getting the project done.
With easy installation comes easy removal. CLT mats are lighter and make for a quick removal job so you can get your project wrapped as quickly, safely and as efficiently as possible.
Longterm Benefits
With CLT mats, you get to enjoy a long-term ROI. These mats are made to be used over and over again without sustaining extensive damage. Made from southern yellow pine fibre, these mats are 30% stronger than the more commonly used douglas fir. With a Janka Hardness Rating of 870 lbf (3,900 N), these mats last longer and are an extremely reliable staple at any worksite.
Rig mats often feature bolts as an essential part of their structure. With CLT rig mats, you get an environmentally friendly adhesive that joins the wood layers perfectly. This innovative structure allows for even weight distribution that provides better, long-lasting support. This also allows for less damage on the mats and on any machinery.
Partner with the Experts
By trusting GFI Solutions to get the safe and efficient access you need, you partner with proven experts. We have seen it all, and we factor all of our experiences in when we work with you.
As an Alberta-based company, we can cater to Western Canada with a perfect understanding of what it takes to get a job done on a complex and dynamic worksite. Our priority has always been giving you the tools you need for site safety regardless of the terrain. The value of partnering with us is that you get great products that are engineered with your needs in mind.
Partner with GFI Solutions Today
With proven results, the site safe access CLT mats have truly exceeded other rig mats in terms of benefits. As durable and cost-efficient solutions to your site access needs, these mats are an easy choice for anyone hoping to take their worksite to the next level.
Click here to take a look at GFI Solutions’ catalogue for all your rig mat needs!
Nov 18, 2021 | News, TerraCross Bridges
GFI Solutions is your destination for the best in portable bridges. The TerraCross™ bridge is built with all terrains in mind and is a staple from Sterling Solutions, one of the most trusted access equipment manufacturers. The TerraCross™ gives you the security of knowing you will be able to cross rivers, streams, and any other gaps in your path without contaminating or disturbing the environment around your worksite. These innovative bridges come in two standardized sizes to suit you better:
Specs
TERRACROSS 40:
- Weight Capacity: 100 tons
- Maximum Crossing Distance: 35′
- Total Length: 40′
- Matting: TerraLam® 500 bearing mats and TerraLam® 700 decking
TERRACROSS 56:
- Weight Capacity: 65 tons
- Maximum Crossing Distance: 50′
- Total Length: 56′
- Matting: TerraLam® 500 bearing mats and TerraLam® 700 decking
How It Works
Our portable TerraCross™ bridges are made to get you across any environmental obstacle that is in your way. Whether it’s a river or a ditch, the TerraCross™ bridge is able to take you where you need to be.
Manufactured by Sterling Solutions, this steel site access solution is safer than other bridge options. Like all products sold by GFI Solutions, it is inspected to ensure complete safety for your crew.
Truly Portable
Since the TerraCross™ bridge is truly portable, it is ideal for any and all terrains. It is incredibly lightweight and can be moved by a mid-sized excavator smoothly. The TerraCross™ is also expertly designed with movement in mind. It is made with the convenience and dependability that you need so you can get your project done safely and efficiently.
Environmentally Safe
TerraCross™ bridges are engineered to ensure minimal impact on the environment. Our geotextile compatible design keeps any harmful material from the worksite out of waterways.
Easy Delivery and Installation
Tired of dealing with time-consuming and costly complications in transportation? Our bridges are designed for easy transport. The TerraCross 40 is simple to pack and can fit onto one truck for delivery. The TerraCross 56 is not far behind and can fit comfortably on two trucks.
Our bridges are also engineered with seamless installation in mind. They are built with pre-drilled CLT 500 mats that are specifically created to make sure installation is simple. Save yourself and your crew time and effort by bringing TerraCross™ bridges to your worksite.
With these stellar benefits, we are proud to bring you the TerraCross™ bridge. As a proven safe access solution for worksites across Canada and across industries, we know that your project will benefit from having the TerraCross™ as a staple for safety and efficiency.
Get a quote from us today to learn more about our safe access solutions!
Nov 12, 2021 | Access Mats, News
One of the major industries that GFI Solutions has serviced for years is the oil and gas industry. We are trusted by experts like you who make their living in this dynamic field. We know that your job has its own set of unique requirements. As Western Canada’s source for oil rig mats, we supply you with the mats you need to get safe and dependable access. Here are some ways we set ourselves apart from the competition.
Reliable Oil Rig Mats
Worried about your bolted mats falling apart when you need them the most? Our Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) rig mats are engineered to help you and your crew get the job done. With environmentally friendly adhesive, these mats can withstand even the toughest of loads.
CLT mats are made from southern yellow pine wood fibre. This fibre is about 30% stronger than the more commonly used Douglas fir and can withstand heavy loads. With this powerful material withstanding even the heaviest loads, oil rigs are no problem for these innovative and exceptionally powerful mats.
This dense material is just one reason you should switch from bolted mats to CLT mats. Without the use of bolts, CLT mats are able to flex and distribute any weight placed on them evenly. With our CLT 500, heavy machinery can be moved safely without fear of breaking. Delays are a hassle, and with CLT mats, you can avoid them entirely.
Exceptional Service
GFI Solutions is not only a supplier of CLT mats; we also provide delivery and installation and have served the oil and gas industry with professionalism and expertise for years. With GFI Solutions, you get reliable service that makes your project planning smoother and more efficient. And since we’ve done this for years, we know the ins and outs of your industry.
We are able to provide you with 24/7 support so that you get the answers you need quickly to minimize delays. Let us help you get safe access with our incredible service.
Trust GFI Solutions for Your Oil Rig Mats
GFI Solutions is here to make your life easier with CLT oil rig mats that you can rely on. It is vital that your onsite work goes as smoothly as possible, and adding CLT mats can help make that a reality. Durable, with excellent service to match, our products give you everything you need to make sure efficiency is the outcome.
Contact us to learn more about how we can make your work site safer and more productive today!
