Jan 11, 2023 | Access Mats, News, TerraCross Bridges
Contractors and project managers looking for access mats often refer to them as swamp mats. While swamp mats and access mats share similarities, they are quite different. Ordering the wrong mats for your project can result in frustration and delays, so before putting in your next order of site access mats, read the following blog to learn more about the different types of matting solutions you might need.
Access Mats
Starting with the most common type of matting option available, access mats. If you’re looking for a matting solution that can be used as temporary roads that help equipment move in and out of a job site, then you should be looking for access mats. They are manufactured in many sizes and can handle various weights. Generally, access mats come in either Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) design or the traditional bolted format.
Swamp Mats
While access mats are often referred to as “swamp mats,” they do serve different purposes. Swamp mats are usually installed to support heavy equipment operating on soft ground. In warmer climates where rain and moisture are very common, the ground starts to become very soft and requires swamp mats to stabilize the ground.
Rig Mats
For those looking for site mats to support oil rigs and large-scale equipment such as construction equipment, then you should be looking for rig mats. Projects that require camps, drilling rigs, tanks and helipads would often opt for rig mats as they are engineered to withstand the weight of heavy machinery and provide the support needed.
Crane Mats
Crane mats are similar to rig mats but are designed with a steel frame that can withstand more weight and provide more support to heavy equipment than rig mats. GFI Solutions proudly offers the TerraLam®’s 500 series mats that feature the TerraLam 504 and TerraLam 508. Both crane mats are lighter and stronger than comparative mats and increase your saving!
Access Bridges
Access bridges are very common in the oil & gas, construction, petrochemical and forestry industries. Remote job sites can make it very difficult for heavy machinery to cross the terrain or even to transport material safely. Access bridges become very beneficial in remote work sites where access mats cannot provide the reliability needed. If your worksite is in an area where there are rivers, creeks or any major gaps in the terrain, access bridges can help you bridge the gap.
Get your Durable Site Access Solutions from GFI
Whether you’re looking to rent or purchase your next order of site access solutions, GFI is available 24/7 to help you with all your access matting needs. We also offer mat washing, installation, delivery, planning and consulting services to ensure that all your access matting needs are met. Contact us today!
Dec 28, 2022 | News, TerraCross Bridges
Unreliable weather can cause great challenges for any worksite, especially with the rapidly changing weather conditions. Canadian terrain is known to be unpredictable as the temperature fluctuates, causing uneven terrain in most remote locations. If you’re facing transportation challenges to and from worksites due to rough terrain, then you’ll probably benefit significantly from GFI’s TerrCross temporary access bridge. Read on to learn more about the benefits of temporary access bridges below!
Do You Need an Access Bridge?
Remote projects usually need all types of site access solutions, including access, rig and crane mats, and temporary access bridges. For instance, those in the petrochemical, oil & gas, construction, mining and forestry industries are constantly faced with logistical problems due to unpredictable terrain. While rig and crane mats can help create temporary roads over rugged terrain, access bridges are essential when it comes to navigating through creeks, major gaps and rivers. Access bridges can either be temporary or permanent, depending on the worksite and the following factors:
- Ground type
- Area-specific environmental factors
- Duration of use
- Weight capacity needed
Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on building a bridge that only requires access to a specific area for a short period of time, you can easily buy or rent portable and temporary bridge solutions. Access bridges can withstand the weight of a wide range of applications and are efficiently delivered and installed. If you’re facing major gaps, rivers or creeks at your worksite, you should consider installing TerraCross™ Access Bridges.
Why TerraCross™ Access Bridges
Unlike conventional bolted access bridges, the TerraCross™ access bridge is easy to install and lightweight. The unique design of the TerraCross™ bridge facilitates lifting and construction with the heaviest of equipment, including a 200-class excavator and similar applications. The lightweight and portable design of the TerraCross™ access bridge is engineered to lift heavy machines and transport material and can be quickly delivered to the worksite. For your optimal convenience, the TerraCross access bridge can be shipped to your worksite on a single truck to help you stay in scope and increase savings. At GFI Solutions, we offer our customers the following TerraCross™ access bridges:
TERRACROSS 40:
- Weight Limit: 100 tons
- Maximum Spanning Distance: 35′
- Total Length: 40′
- Matting: TerraLam® 500 bearing mats and TerraLam® 700 decking
TERRACROSS 56:
- Weight Limit: 65 tons
- Maximum Spanning Distance: 50′
- Total Length: 56′
- Matting: TerraLam® 500 bearing mats and TerraLam® 700 decking
Find The Right TerraCross™ Access Bridge For You At GFI Solutions
Working in a remote job site has many challenges, which is why at GFI solutions, we are available for all your access needs 24/7. Our team is always available to provide you with a variety of access products and services throughout Western Canada. Contact us today, and let us support your next project with the perfect site access solutions.
Nov 10, 2022 | News, TerraCross Bridges
Looking for an affordable and robust bridge to ease access for your workers and machinery? GFI Solutions’ TerraCross Bridge is a reliable temporary bridging system that is lightweight, strong, and within your budget. One might wonder whether temporary bridges perform as well as permanent bridges and if they are worth the purchase. Read on to find out!
Quick Installation
Portable bridges are an excellent option for short-term projects as they can be quickly shipped and installed. As the exclusive supplier of Sterling Solutions matting products, GFI Solutions supplies customers with temporary TerraCross bridges that can be installed in as little as two hours to less than a day, depending on the site access, soil conditions, geography etc. The temporary bridges can also be easily installed with standard equipment used to build temporary access roads; however, to properly install the TerraCross bridging system, we recommend that our team of experts carry out the installation. In order to ensure optimum safety, sites are reviewed and/or inspected by trained GFI personnel before installing the TerraCross bridging system.
Robust
Worksites with heavy-duty equipment can install the TerraCross 40 as it withstands up to 100 tons of weight. The TerraCross 50 would be a better option for lighter projects as it can handle up to 65 tons of weight.
Engineered with a structural steel design, TerraCross portable bridges are built to provide you with the necessary safety and support you need to maintain a safe and secure worksite. All TerraCross bridges are built using TerraLam 700 CLT mats made from Southern Yellow Pine wood, unlike traditional bolted mats made from Douglas Fir. Even though CLT mats are 40% lighter than conventional mats, they are 30% stronger.
OSHA – Compliant
GFI’s TerraCross bridges are not only safe for machinery and transportation, but they are also safe for your workers as they are OSHA compliant. To allow for safer crossing, solid handrails are pinned to the bridge giving your crew the safety they need to pass over uneven terrain, eliminating worksite injuries and risks.
Geotextile Compliant
Minimizing the risk of contamination is a crucial factor that project owners look for when installing a movable bridge. The TerraCross bridge is often used to create a safe path for vehicles and workers to cross waterways, which is why a geotextile surface is installed with GFI’s temporary bridge to help keep debris from leaving the bridge and accidentally contaminating waterways.
GFI Solutions for All Your Matting Problems
GFI Solutions is proud to offer our clients leading products from Sterling Solutions across Western Canada. Contact our team today to learn more about our CLT mats, temporary bridges and other matting solutions.
Jul 15, 2022 | News, TerraCross Bridges
Canada’s unpredictable weather can heavily affect the terrain causing you to pause your workflow every time the weather changes. If you’re tired of putting your project on hold every time the ground becomes softer, icer, or muddier, GFI Solutions have engineered the perfect matting product for you. Our team of experts understands that time is money when it comes to working on a project on open ground, which is why we are proud to introduce the TerraCross temporary portable bridge that will solve all your access problems. Read on to learn more about the benefits of the TerraCross temporary mobile bridge!
Why Use Temporary Portable Bridges
Struggling with the fluctuation of the weather during a project is frustrating for everyone. Crossing water, ditches or any uneven terrain can cause several hazardous risks for workers and machinery. Project managers in the oil and gas, power, chemical and mining industries install temporary portable bridges to provide safe and secure paths across all troublesome land. Access movable bridges are designed to offer your workers and equipment a safe worksite while saving you time and money.
TerraCross Bridge Benefits
The TerraCross temporary bridge is engineered to maintain workflow efficiency and ensure that your worksite is safe for workers, machines and the environment. With fluids being transported from one location to the other, cross-contamination and accidental spillage could heavily impact the land. TerraCross bridges are designed using Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats and a geotextile surface to avoid contamination of the grounds or spillage to waterways. They are also bonded together using an eco-friendly adhesive that allows the mats to be more flexible and distribute the weight evenly throughout, rather than concentrate the weight only on the bolted areas.
Using glue to adhere the planks together instead of bolts ensures that the bridge’s surface is solid and smooth, eliminating the risk of tripping or tire punctures. TerraCross bridges are not only safe for your worksite, but they are also significantly robust and can handle weight up to 100 tons. Specs include:
TERRACROSS 40:
- Weight: 100 tons
- Maximum Spanning Distance: 35′
- Total Length: 40′
- Matting: TerraLam® 500 bearing mats and TerraLam® 700 decking
TERRACROSS 56:
- Weight: 65 tons
- Maximum Spanning Distance: 50′
- Total Length: 56′
- Matting: TerraLam® 500 bearing mats and TerraLam® 700 decking
Install the TerraCross Bridge for a Safer Worksite
Contact our team today to learn more about our TerraCross bridge and our different matting services.
Jul 7, 2022 | News, TerraCross Bridges
GFI Solutions has been the leading manufacturer and supplier of access matting solutions for industries throughout Western Canada for the past five years. We have introduced safer and more affordable matting options to offer clients the safety they need during a project. Industries such as construction, renewable energy and oil and gas have found GFI Solutions to be their main source of reliable and efficient matting options that include access mats, worksite mats and temporary bridges. Learn more about our matting solutions for access bridges below!
Rent Bridges For A Hassle-Free Project
Throughout Canada’s landscape, project managers are faced with multiple challenges such as creeks, ditches and uneven grounds that can hinder the safety and length of the project. Worksites that feature rough terrain or waterways require the installation of bridges to make bridge crossing and regular transportation within worksites safe and easy – but can you install an accessible bridge at an affordable cost?
Yes.
GFI Solutions has made it possible for individuals to install a secure portable bridge compliant with all regulations and safety measures at a price within their budget by offering clients the opportunity to rent temporary bridges. By renting movable bridges, clients are able to receive the safety and ease of access they require without exceeding their matting budget.
TerraCross Bridges
The TerraCross bridge facilitates easy transportation through Canada’s fluctuating weather patterns, allowing clients to continue their production regardless of muddy paths, creek beds and waterways. Manufactured from Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) access mats and structured with a strong steel frame, the TerraCross bridges provide clients with the bridging solution they need while maintaining the safety of their workers, machinery and the environment.
Why TerraCross Portable Bridge?
Sterling Solutions’ TerraCross bridge is designed to facilitate a smooth workflow at the worksite and ensure the safety of workers, equipment and the environment. CLT mats in TerraCross bridges are manufactured using Southern Yellow Pine wood, which is 40% lighter and 30% stronger than traditional bolted mats and can be delivered to your worksite in a single truck – your workflow will no longer be paused due to logistics issues or delay of delivery.
CLT mats are also safer to use in portable bridges than traditional bolted mats as the wooden planks are glued together using an eco-friendly adhesive. The adhesion eliminates the risk of tripping and tire puncture hazards as it provides a smooth surface, ensuring that your crew and machinery can safely cross the bridge without halting the workflow.
TerraCross For All Purposes
No matter the weight or the environment, Sterling Solutions’ TerraCross bridge is ideal for all your matting needs. The available bridges are:
TERRACROSS 40:
- Weight Limit: 100 tons
- Maximum Spanning Distance: 35′
- Total Length: 40′
- Matting: TerraLam® 500 bearing mats and TerraLam® 700 decking
TERRACROSS 56:
- Weight Limit: 65 tons
- Maximum Spanning Distance: 50′
- Total Length: 56′
- Matting: TerraLam® 500 bearing mats and TerraLam® 700 decking
With easy transportation and rapid assembly, TerraCross bridges will ensure the safety of your worksite and the efficiency of your workflow.
Looking To Rent a Temporary Bridge?
Contact our team today to learn more about our dependable TerraCross bridging system!
Jun 16, 2022 | News, TerraCross Bridges
Remote worksites are accompanied by logistical problems where access is hindered due to environmental obstacles. Rough, unreliable terrain and rapidly changing weather in the Canadian landscape can cause uncontrollable delays to your project. To overcome these complications, portable bridges are used to enable easy navigation in less than ideal locations.
GFI Solutions have engineered high-quality temporary access bridges to help haulers and project managers overcome weather and terrain difficulties with ease while also maintaining a robust foundation for heavyweight loads. Learn more about GFI’s portable access bridges below.
Engineered to Last
At GFI Solutions, we understand the importance of safety and efficiency when installing temporary bridges, which is why we have engineered an easy to deploy, lightweight, portable bridge. Our TerraCross bridge is manufactured to provide a secure crossing over water, ditches, environmental hazards and more while withstanding the extreme weight of machines and loads. If your worksite requires lifting and construction with 200-class excavators or similar equipment, the TerraCross bridge is the solution for you. The specs include:
TERRACROSS 40:
- Maximum Weight 100 tons
- Maximum Spanning Distance: 35′
- Length: 40′
TERRACROSS 56:
- Maximum Weight 65 tons
- Maximum Spanning Distance: 50′
- Length: 56′
Easy Transportation
The TerraCross bridge is built to help you cross ditches, holes or gaps that may hinder the speed of your project. It’s an excellent site access solution that is used in most remote job sites, no matter the difficulty of the terrain. Our TerraCross bridges can be shipped to your site via one or two trucks at the most. The TerraCross 40 and TerraCross56 bridges are designed for quick and easy installation to prevent any possible delays in your project.
Partner with GFI
Our matting expertise does not end with state-of-the-art bridges; we also offer a variety of matting solutions, including:
- Turn-Key Services
- Inventory Management
- Manufacturing
- Delivery and Installation
- Mat Washing
- Planning and Consultation
Our team also offers 24/7 service and support to meet all your matting needs.
Get A Quote
GFI Solutions distributes access products throughout the Western Canada region and nation-wide. Contact our team of experts today and get a quote on the TerraCross portable bridge for your upcoming project.
