How to Choose Crane Mats for Rent: A First-Time User’s Practical Guide

Dec 17, 2025 | crane mats

“Safety brings first aid to the uninjured.” – F.S. Hughes

Working with cranes and heavy machines needs strong support from the ground below. When the surface is weak or uneven, even the best equipment can face problems. This is why having the right base in place matters from the very start.

Crane mats always help to create that strong base for construction and work sites. They support heavy machines, protect the ground, and make work areas safer for everyone. However, there are many people wondering how the right crane mat can be selected and what should be considered before selecting crane mats for rent. This article will provide information on how the right choices can be made.

What Are Crane Mats and Why Are They So Important?

Before any crane or heavy machine starts work, the ground below it needs to be safe as well as strong. This is precisely where the function of crane mats becomes relevant. If the ground is soft and muddy with uneven surfaces and is also weak, the machinery will sink and topple, posing danger. Crane mats help simply solve this problem.

Crane mats are common in construction sites, pipeline projects, and utility projects, among other areas where a project might be located in a distant or isolated area.

So, What Exactly Are Crane Mats?

Crane mats are large, thick platforms made from strong wood or heavy-duty materials. They are placed on the ground before cranes or other heavy machines move or operate. Their primary function is to distribute the weight of the machine over a larger area.

Instead of all the weight pressing down on one small spot, crane mats can easily help to share the load. They effectively provide a firm ground for the machines to operate from, ensuring safety for not only the equipment but also the personnel involved in the project.

You may also hear crane mats called timber mats or heavy equipment mats. No matter the name, their purpose is always the same – to create a strong, steady surface for heavy work. Now, below we will discuss the importance of crane mats:

Creating a Safer Work Environment

Safety is also a major reason why crane mats are utilized on a work site. Cranes are huge as well as powerful machines that require a stable platform for their operations.

Moreover, crane mats assist in providing a firm ground that is capable of supporting the entire weight of the machine. This reduces the possibility of falling or sliding due to soil instability. When machines stay stable, workers around them are safer as well.

Using crane mats generally shows that safety is a top priority on the site. This is always beneficial in avoiding accidents and ensuring a smooth flow of work without interruptions.

Protecting the Ground and Surrounding Areas

A tremendous number of workplace sites are situated on land that has to be protected. Heavy equipment could otherwise crush soil, destroy grass or damage plants if crane mats are not present to protect the land.

The crane mat acts as a protective cover between the crane and the ground. They help stop deep marks, soil damage, as well as long-lasting ground problems. This is especially true if the land must revert to its natural state once the work is finished.

However, through the use of crane mats, it is possible to construct without endangering the environment.

Making Access Easier on Difficult Sites

Some work sites are hard to reach because of mud, soft ground or uneven surfaces. Therefore, moving heavy machines in these areas can be slow and risky.

Crane mats can be laid out to form temporary paths or work areas. These paths help machines move safely across difficult ground without getting stuck. It also allows for faster performance of tasks by machine operators.

The use of crane mats assists in ensuring that even challenging sites can be managed.

How Do You Select the Most Suitable Crane Mats for Your Project?

Choosing the right crane mats does not have to be confusing or stressful. To make your decision-making process easy and select the best mats for your task, below you can find some simple steps to help you choose the best mats:

Start by Looking at the Ground Conditions

One of the issues that will have to be addressed in consideration of the crane is the surface on which the crane will be working on the ground. Not all ground is of equal quality.

In case your ground is soft, muddy, wet, or irregular, your crane mats will have to be stronger, larger, or both. This particular type of mat will ensure your weight is well distributed to prevent sinking and movement of your machines. For firm ground, regular mats could be sufficient.

Understand the Weight of Your Equipment

Every crane and machine has a weight limit that the ground must support. This is why knowing how heavy your equipment is really matters.

Crane mats should always be designed and sized to withstand the total weight of the crane and any lift loads.

Think About How Long the Project Will Last

The period for which the project will take place is another important consideration in choosing crane mats. Projects that take only a few days or weeks are suitable for crane mat rentals. This is because renting crane mats is more economical and does not entail storage costs.

For larger projects, you might want mats that are extra strong and built to handle long-term use. More durable mats hold up better over time and reduce the need for replacements.

Common Crane Mat Sizes and Materials Explained Simply

Most crane mats come in standard sizes that work for many types of projects.

Typical crane mats are:

About 4 feet wide
Between 12 and 16 inches thick
Lengths can range from 16 feet to 40 feet, based on the end uses

These sizes help support heavy machines and give good ground coverage.

Crane mats are usually made from large timbers. This material is chosen because it lasts longer and performs well in rough conditions, even on difficult ground.

Get the Right Support for Your Project with GFI Solutions LTD!

Selecting suitable crane mats can significantly impact not just project safety but also project success. Using suitable mats for the project ensures that construction machinery is stable, prevents damage to the ground and construction work happens without any kinds of issues.

GFI Solutions LTD offers strong and reliable crane mats for rent that are ready for tough job sites across Canada. When you choose us, you get:

High-quality crane mats built for heavy loads
Flexible rental options to match your project needs
Support from a team that understands real job site challenges

If you want a safer and more reliable setup for your next project, reach out to us today and get the right crane mats in place with confidence.

FAQs:

What exactly are crane mats for rent?

They are temporary ground support platforms rented for construction use to support heavy equipment safely.

Can crane mats protect sensitive ground?

Yes, they help reduce soil disturbance and protect the environment during heavy equipment operations.

Are there alternatives to renting crane mats?

You can buy new or used mats, lease for long projects, or choose composite mats based on longevity and conditions.

Timber Crane Mats: Everything to Know Before Incorporating It into Your Next Project

Sep 30, 2024 | crane mats

Do you or your company handle onsite projects, like commercial construction, civil construction, or renewable (wind power) energy projects? Soft, wet, or rough and uneven grounds are unstable to withstand the weight of heavy machinery during navigation. Here’s where timber crane mats are used to create a solid work foundation and support these heavy loads.

What Are Timber Crane Mats?

Crane mats are made of large timbers, used for creating strong work surfaces to withstand cranes and other heavy and large machinery navigation during construction or renewable energy, like wind-power projects. These timber crane mats are considered heavy-duty matting solutions due to their unique specifications. Here are some worth mentioning:

Green in moisture content
Extra thick compared to conventional timber access mats, such as 8” to 12” thick, 16′ to 40′ in length and 4′ wide
Specially designed to support robust machines, like cranes and larger ones

Hence, when undertaking civil or commercial construction or renewable projects, it’s best to rely on timber crane mats for the best access solutions.

Advantages of Using Timber Crane Mats

First, understand in which projects you should use crane mats. We recommend it for onsite projects that require cranes and other heavier machinery. For instance:

Civil construction

Various industrial construction projects, such as building tunnels, highways, overpasses, or even dams, involve cranes and other robust machinery, where ground protection and site safety become crucial. Crane mats are the best way to create a solid work surface here as a temporary road or platform, whether in a remote area or a built environment.

Wind-power projects

Renewable energy projects, especially wind power projects, where the use of heavy machinery, such as generators, blades, and even cranes sometimes, is common for wind turbine installations. Whether the ground is firm or soft, it fails to withstand the heavy loads of these robust machinery and becomes unstable, while damaging the ground, like causing soil erosions. Crane mats distribute the weight of machinery evenly and eliminate the need for ground restoration at the end of the project.

Commercial Construction

The construction of commercial buildings also involves the use of cranes. Yet, having a solid work platform is necessary to ensure the safety of the project and crews. Soft, rough, or unstable—crane mats can be used on any work surface to provide ground protection, especially the gas and water lines below, and stability to the work platform.

Timber crane access mats not only ensure a safe environment or withstand the heavy loads of machinery, but they also offer the following benefits to this kind of project as well:

Stability

Unstable grounds, like uneven terrain and soft soil, can cause accidents, like tipped-over cranes or larger machinery. Using crane mats ensures a stable and solid work foundation so the crew can perform machinery navigation confidently, safely, and efficiently.

These crane mats are efficient at smooth weight distribution of cranes and other machinery that protects the ground below and eliminates the risks of damage to the site, plants, and roots. As a result, you can save on restoration costs while preventing soil erosion.

Durability

Timber crane mats are perfect for use on any work surface, from muddy conditions to wet ones to across streams, due to their durability to support the weight of heavy machinery for longer. In fact, crane mats made of thicker timbers can be reused in another project as well.

So, thinking of renting or buying used timber crane access mats? Count on us. At GFI Solutions, we have the best quality crane mats 4′ wide by 20′ long by 12″ thick available for rent and purchase. To ensure your equipment and crew work safely, consider it for your next project.

For more, contact us today!

Unleashing the Power of Crane Mats in Large Civil Construction Projects

Apr 12, 2024 | crane mats

Nowadays, large civil construction projects mostly involve heavy equipment. But, it becomes challenging to navigate those machines on uneven terrain and rocky landscapes, especially at environmentally sensitive job sites. In this case, you need access to solutions designed to grapple with this challenge and ensure a safe and efficient job, this is where solid and durable crane mats come into play. They provide a strong work foundation to withstanding the heaviest loads from robust machines.

Interested in crane mats? Discover what they are, how they function, and their advantages!

What Is a Crane Mat, and How Do They Benefit Large Civil Projects?

Crane mats are heavy equipment mats made of large timbers that have a common thickness and are green in moisture content. The most common sizes of crane mats are 16′ to 40′ in length, 8” to 12” thick, and 4′ wide. Compared to traditional wooden access mats, these strong and durable access mats provide reliable ground protection against the loads and pressure of large machinery. Also, these timber mats for cranes offer the maximum stabilization to tackle construction projects involving crane operations. Hence, you can easily transport heavy construction equipment across environmentally sensitive work areas without damaging the landscape.

However, the benefits of crane mat installation is not limited to just supporting the heavy loads of cranes and other large machinery, like loaders, bulldozers, excavators, and more. These durable access solutions go beyond that. For instance:

#1: Crane mats to keep equipment safe-

Uneven terrain can damage the construction machinery or make them mired in mud when navigating across rocky landscapes or temporary roadways. Crane mats work as a barrier between the terrain and construction machinery to keep the equipment and workers safe. Moreover, they are used for ground protection. Its versatility allows it to use these durable mats on any kind of landscape, such as swamps, wetland areas, marshes, and even rocky grounds.

#2: Crane mats are useful in a wide range of projects-

Any large civil construction projects that involve the use of heavy machinery like cranes, excavators, or loaders for heavy lifting may require crane mats as the preferred access solution. Crane mats are used in various applications such as renewable projects, like wind turbine installation, bridge construction, excavation projects, mining, pipelines, or those needing crane access trestles. Given the need for additional stability support, crane mats emerge as the optimal choice for ensuring the safe and efficient operation of heavy machinery in such projects.

#3: Use of crane mats in oil and gas sectors-

Oil and gas projects require the construction of temporary roadways and bridges to access remote areas and allow heavy equipment, vehicles, and workers to arrive there. Installing crane mats will help you navigate robust machines across those temporary roadways, especially on rocky and uneven terrain, during gas and oil projects.

#4: Crane mats come with custom sizing options-

The typical size of crane mats is 8” to 12” thick, 4′ wide, and 16′ to 40′ in length, allowing ground protection against the heavy loads of cranes and other large machines. Its exceptional and tailored sizing options make it suitable for various civil construction projects to withstand the pressure of heavy machinery.

Benefits of Crane Mat

GFI Solutions LTD, offers all sizes of crane mats. We stock the most common size crane mats 4′ wide by 20′ long by 12″ thick designed to withstand the robust pressure of cranes and other machinery, while offering tailored access matting solutions to your project needs. If you are looking for a crane mat rental, count on us.

Crane mat rentals ensure your equipment and crew are working safely at remote work sites. With our access solutions, expert crews, and extensive equipment fleet, you can be confident in achieving safe and efficient results. Whether your project requires 10 crane mats or a larger order of 5,000 crane mats, we’ve got you covered.

Feel free to get in touch with us now or get a quote today to start your project confidently!