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!
Dec 11, 2020 | Access Mats, News
Need access mats that can stand up to the toughest of challenges? If you’re tired of dealing with heavy bolted mats that cost an arm and a leg to ship and need to be replaced consistently after demanding jobs, it’s time to make a change. For crane and rig matting solutions you can count on, GFI Solutions is proud to be Canada’s exclusive provider of Sterling Solutions’ range of TerraLam® CLT access mats for both rentals and sales. Learn more about the benefits of CLT crane mats below!
The Revolution Has Begun
If you’re ready to make the shift away from traditional bolted mats, you’re not alone. While it’s no secret that timber mats have been a trusted staple across the industry, bolted matting has left a few performance points lacking. Because bolted mats are made from a mixture of hard and softwoods that are not held to any specified standards, their durability can often be inconsistent and lead to sudden fractures when facing the strain of cranes or heavy machinery. Add in the fact that timber mats take multiple truckloads to transport and require a complicated installation process to get up and running, and it’s not a surprise that many project managers are eager to find a more simplified and reliable solution. Enter CLT mats.
As an innovative new solution available on the market, Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats are made with the intention to address each of the above issues, while offering superior and long-lasting performance, as well as a significantly lighter weight profile (up to 40% less than bolted mats). With the ability to ship up to 60% more mats per haul and a life cycle that lasts 3-5 times longer even under heavy demand, CLT crane mats have become the go-to for industry leaders in the oil & gas, petrochemical, and power sectors.
How They Work
The key to the superior performance of CLT mats comes down to their composition. Unlike traditional bolted mats which are created using a mix of wood fibres and steel bolts to create fixed points, cross-laminated timber mats are made from southern yellow pine and bond alternating perpendicular layers of wood together with an environmentally safe adhesive that helps keep the mat strong, as well as protected from outside factors like moisture and contaminants. This process of binding planks together creates a far more flexible mat that is able to disperse the weight of heavy loads evenly across the entire surface, reducing your chance of sudden breakages and allowing for exceptional performance in the longterm. Additional benefits of CLT mats include:
- Life cycle that is 3-5 the length of traditional mats
- Easy installation
- Can haul more mats per transport load
- High impact resistance, and more.
Heavy Duty Crane Mat Solutions At GFI
GFI Solutions carries TerraLam®’s 500 series access mats, which feature 2 lengths; 4 feet (TerraLam 504) and 8 feet (TerraLam 508), both of which are lighter and stronger than comparative timber mats. The innovative cross-grain technology allows them to outperform competitors all while saving you money on hauling and installations costs. Learn about our available products and services including sales and rentals, mat washing, installation, and more by contacting GFI today.
Aug 31, 2020 | Access Mats
Tired of traditional bolted timber crane mats not quite meeting your expectations on the job site? Hoping to save time and money on shipping without sacrificing quality or performance? CLT crane mats are the ideal solutions for heavy-duty projects found in the oil & gas, petroleum, construction, energy and related sectors. GFI Solutions is Canada’s leading source for site access solutions, including CLT crane and rig mats. Learn more about the benefits of CLT mats, as well as the TerraLam® 500 model below.
It’s Time For A Change
It’s no secret that the power and pipeline industries have long relied on bolted matting as their source for site access solutions. While these kinds of mats do play a role in helping to make remote locations more accessible, the common assumption that they are the strongest option available is incorrect. In actuality, bolted mats are created from a mixture of hard and softwoods with no specific standards in place to help moderate quality. In addition, due to their heavier and larger size, they often take more trucks to transport and stress fractures are common at the bolted points with exposure to pressure. Add in a complicated installation process that can take a considerable amount of time, and it becomes clear that bolted mats are cumbersome and costly to deal with over time.
A Better Way Forward
Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats take the benefits of timber mats and expand upon them for superior performance and durability. Unlike bolted mats, CLT mats are created by using an environmentally safe adhesive to bond together alternating perpendicular layers of wood for unmatched strength and safety. Engineered to flex under the strain of the weight of heavy loads, CLT mats are 40% lighter than traditional oak mats and allow you to ship up to 25% more mats with every load, saving you time and money. With multiple models available, each designed to have a life cycle that’s 3-5 times longer than traditional matting, CLT mats are a worthwhile investment for any job.
Meet The TerraLam® 508
Weighing the same as a 4-foot timber mat, but offering superior strength and durability, TerraLam 508® matting is suited for use as both a crane or rig mat. Easy installation will save you time and money, and the lighter weight of the mat means you can save up to 50% on freight. Built to embody all of the benefits of CLT mats, TerraLam® mats are among the best in the industry and are trusted by professionals in a wide range of heavy-duty sectors.
GFI: Your Partner in Site Access Solutions
At GFI Solutions, our first priority is supporting our customers. We offer 24/7 service for rentals and sales to keep you moving. In addition to mat sales and rentals, our solutions include:
- Turnkey services
- Inventory management
- Manufacturing
- Delivery& Installation
- Mat washing
- Planning & consultation, and more.
For more information on leading access mat products throughout Canada, contact GFI today.
