Jan 31, 2023 | Access Mats, News
There’s no question that crane mats and rig mats are highly useful resources in oil fields, pipelines, power industries and more! Not only do rig and crane mats help overcome accessibility challenges across rugged terrain, but they also increase the safety of your worksite and ensure environmental sustainability.
While traditional timber mats have been more popular with heavy industries for years, they are slowly losing their competitive edge against the new Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats. With the use of advanced technology, GFI Solutions has engineered access mats, rig and crane mats that offer superior performance, better protection and increased savings!
Before purchasing your next order of traditional crane mats, read on to learn about all the benefits you can expect from our CLT crane mats.
What is CLT?
In order to understand how CLT mats can provide you with better performance and a safer work environment, you must first learn the manufacturing process behind them. Cross Laminated Timber mats are manufactured using wood layers that are placed perpendicular to one another and glued together instead of being bolted together. CLT mats are specifically designed to be lightweight, durable and environmentally friendly.
Why Not Timber?
Unlike CLT mats, traditional bolted hardwood timber mats are manufactured using a mixture of hard and soft woods that do not follow any standardized specifications. They are also built using bolts instead of an environmentally friendly adhesive, which can create a hazardous work environment as the bolts can cause breaks at stress points and are easily bent with heavy pressure.
What Are The Benefits of CLT Lightweight Crane Mats?
CLT crane mats have proven to be much more durable than traditional bolted timber crane mats as they are able to disperse the load in all directions instead of only transferring the weight in one direction. The environmentally friendly adhesive used in CLT mats allows them to be more flexible, offering better performance and a longer life cycle. CLT mats are also significantly lighter in weight compared to traditional bolted mats, allowing for more mats to be shipped per load and saving you up to 50% on freight. When installing GFI Solutions’ CLT lightweight crane mats in your worksite, you reduce the risks, improve safety and increase savings.
Guaranteed Service with GFI Solutions’ Heavy-Duty Crane Mats
In addition to our reliable access matting solutions, GFI is proud to offer all our customers 24/7 service for turnkey services, rentals, sales, inventory management and more! We understand the challenges that your project might face and are happy to help with every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more about our access mating solutions and services, such as planning, delivery, installation and mat washing.
Sep 12, 2022 | Access Mats, News
If your project requires heavy machinery, you should also make sure that you utilize a crane mat. Crane mats are engineered to keep your work site as safe and accessible as possible. Without crane matting, accessing your site and efficiently working on your project can be compromised, not to mention the potential for environmental damages can increase. At GFI Solutions, we offer both CLT and traditional bolted crane mat options. That way, you can finish your project on time and without other access-related issues; below, we’ll discuss CLT mats and the benefits of using crane mats on your project. Continue reading to learn more!
CLT Mats: Engineered for Success
TerraLam’s Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) crane mats are engineered to outperform traditional bolted mats. They offer customers increased durability and performance as they can flex under pressure without damage. CLT mats have a lifespan 3-5 times longer than bolted mats as they evenly distribute the weight of your equipment across the entire mat. In addition, the uniquely formulated adhesive in CLT mats also acts as a protective barrier against decay and rot while remaining environmentally friendly. At GFI Solutions, we’re proud to offer our customers CLT and traditional bolted matting options. The following will discuss the benefits of using both types of crane mats on your project.
Sturdy and Safe Surface
When working in our challenging Canadian environments, your equipment and workers will likely be forced to deal with uneven, soft, muddy terrain. If you try to use a crane without the adequate support it requires, your equipment is at risk of falling over, getting stuck, or being damaged. Nevertheless, crane mats from GFI Solutions can ensure your equipment is safe and secure.
Work More Efficiently
Attempting to use a crane on ground that’s soft or uneven can be a recipe for disaster. To navigate challenging environments, you’ll have to maneuver your equipment carefully. Even with the most careful driver behind the wheel, there are still many risks. Not to mention, working so cautiously can slow your project’s progress. Crane mats can assist your team in working more efficiently over challenging terrain by providing a durable foundation to work off of.
Prevent Your Equipment from Getting Stuck
In addition to providing a stable base, a crane mat prevents your equipment and workers from getting stuck in the mud. Depending on the terrain, your crane can quickly sink into the ground, especially after significant rainfalls or in swampy environments. Getting large and heavy equipment stuck in the mud can bring your project to a complete halt and potentially cause damage to expensive and vital components. A crane mat can provide a stable surface for heavy cranes and workers, and they’re easy to remove from a worksite once your project is completed.
Lightweight Crane Mats from GFI
At GFI Solutions, our team understands the challenges your project may face. Lightweight crane mats are an accessible, reliable, and cost-effective solution GFI proudly offers. In addition to access solutions, we also provide 24/7 service for rentals and sales, turnkey services, inventory management, and more! Are you interested in learning more about our crane mats? Contact GFI Solutions today!
