10 tips for a successful crane set up

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By Dica CEO Kris Koberg

It can be difficult to know if the ground beneath your crane will support the weight and pressure under your outriggers, yet knowing this is critical to safe crane set up. In response to this need, United States standards and regulatory bodies now place greater emphasis on understanding ground conditions and using crane mats or outrigger pads that are sufficient to provide the necessary foundation support.

Here are 10 crane safety tips to guide you to a successful crane set up:

1. Know your responsibilities. In the United States, OSHA states that cranes must be assembled on ground that is firm, drained and graded sufficiently, in conjunction with supporting materials, such as blocking, cribbing, pads and mats, to provide adequate support and levelness. ASME states that outrigger blocking or cribbing must have sufficient strength to prevent crushing, bending or shear failure. And it needs to be of such thickness, width and length as to completely support the float, transmit the load to the supporting surface and prevent shifting, toppling or excessive settlement under the load.
2. Know the bearing strength of ground and soil. As this is an extremely complex combination, it’s a good idea to seek the advice of a geotechnical engineer. A low-cost way to determine ground conditions is to use a dynamic cone penetrometer, which is portable and easy to use. This information can be compared to ground bearing pressure charts for different soil types.
3. Identify any sub-surface hazards and avoid if possible.
4. Evaluate and improve the ground if needed. Ways to improve the ground include compaction, removing loose surface layers or bringing in rock or other dense inorganic material. If the ground is wet, allow time to get the moisture out.
5. Know the maximum pressure the crane will exert on each outrigger during the operation, or the maximum outrigger reaction force. Crane manufacturers provide this information for each crane model, and generally it can be found in your operation manual. Many also offer free software solutions that allow you to input the lift data, which then outputs the outrigger reaction forces that will be generated.
6. Select the right size crane or outrigger pad. Undersized pads can put you in an unstable condition, but oversized pads are inefficient in terms of purchase, labour and transportation costs. Several methods are commonly used in the industry. Dica has evaluated each of these methods and has found various methods produce widely varying conclusions and most methods don’t take into account the ground condition. Dica strongly suggests that you should use a sizing method that takes into account ground conditions (ground bearing capacity) and actual outrigger loads.
7. Choose crane pads or outrigger pads that are designed and constructed to meet or exceed the bearing, flex and shear strength required. Their purpose is to distribute the load from the outrigger float over a large enough area that the bearing pressure to the ground surface is acceptable. They must be stiff enough that the crane will not go out of level as the load swings.
8. Never place blocking, cribbing, pads or mats under the outrigger beam. Only use them under the outrigger floats or pontoons.
9. Monitor every lift. If the outrigger pad or crane mat is deflecting or bending, stop the lift. If the pad or mat is being driven into the ground, stop the lift. The load pressure is in excess of the ground bearing pressure. A larger surface area or improved ground conditions are needed to support the load.
10. Use common sense. If it doesn’t look right, stop. If it doesn’t act right, stop. If it doesn’t feel right, stop. Products are never a replacement for common sense. Use your common sense.

DICA employs a three-step fitting process, including identification of the key data points for the equipment and the maximum outrigger reaction force. Then we work with customers to determine soil bearing capacity. Finally, we determine the proper material, construction and thickness needed for the outrigger pad or crane mat to distribute the load over the intended area.

 

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By Lisa Hobbie

Whether you’re using equipment you own or a rental backhoe, tractor, skid steer, loader, boom truck or crane which utilizes outriggers, employing backhoe outrigger pads ensures safety, stability, and a successful setting for your project.

Greatmats offers the best ground protection and outrigger pads and mats for sale anywhere, with the following 5 being among the most popular:

Since the natural ground can only endure so much weight and pressure before it shifts or collapses. These backhoe outrigger pads extend your equipment’s footprint and displace pressure from the equipment through the pad to the ground.

Knowing which size and thickness of backhoe outrigger pads to select depends on the maximum weight capacity of the pad in relation to the weight of your equipment. It’s also important to consider the appropriate mat size for outrigger loads. To determine the pad area needed, simply take the maximum outrigger load and divide it by the allowable ground bearing pressure.

A standard to go by is to select backhoe outrigger pads that are at least three times the square surface area of the float, shoe, or other stabilizing attachment, but a larger footprint is needed when working on rough soil or poor surface conditions.



The pads feature a safety textured surface for superior grip and stability. Made from a highly durable, proprietary engineered thermoplastic material, they not only provide unmatched support and stability, but they are also non-conductive, non magnetic, and resistant to water, oil, chemicals, and temperature.

These outrigger pads feature safety orange handles for optimum use and clear visibility. These also deliver protection for the operator - preventing hand injuries.

If the backhoe outrigger pads bend, they will return to their original state, and they are essentially indestructible if used correctly.

This specific outrigger pad is priced around $1,500 and comes with a 1 year warranty. It weighs in at 160 pounds and delivers 16 square feet of coverage.





It’s priced at about $785 and weighs in at 80 pounds while providing 16 square feet of coverage.





This size has a vertical load bearing capacity of up 93,000 pounds and a 45 degree angle load capacity of 43,000 pounds. It’s priced at just under $520 and weighs 45 pounds. It offers 9 square feet of coverage.





This version is priced at about $336.0 and weighs 31 pounds. It delivers 6.25 square feet of coverage.





This final pad is priced at about $115. It weighs 5.5 pounds and offers just over 1.5 square feet of coverage.

Greatmats - For The Best Backhoe & Other Outrigger Pads Available!

Greatmats is your one stop shop for all different sizes and thicknesses of outrigger pads and ground protection mats for not only backhoe equipment, but for all heavy equipment from a boom truck to a tractor, crane, and more.

The outrigger pads featured here are among the best available anywhere, and if you need help deciding which ones are the correct size for your backhoe, project, and site, just reach out to the Greatmats’ team who is ready to help. Together, you can decide which of the products would offer the best solutions for you.

When operating heavy equipment, backhoe outrigger pads are essential if you want to ensure the ground below won’t give way below stabilizers and the equipment won’t tip over.Whether you’re using equipment you own or a rental backhoe, tractor, skid steer, loader, boom truck or crane which utilizes outriggers, employing backhoe outrigger pads ensures safety, stability, and a successful setting for your project.Greatmats offers the best ground protection and outrigger pads and mats for sale anywhere, with the following 5 being among the most popular:Since the natural ground can only endure so much weight and pressure before it shifts or collapses. These backhoe outrigger pads extend your equipment’s footprint and displace pressure from the equipment through the pad to the ground.Knowing which size and thickness of backhoe outrigger pads to select depends on the maximum weight capacity of the pad in relation to the weight of your equipment. It’s also important to consider the appropriate mat size for outrigger loads. To determine the pad area needed, simply take the maximum outrigger load and divide it by the allowable ground bearing pressure.A standard to go by is to select backhoe outrigger pads that are at least three times the square surface area of the float, shoe, or other stabilizing attachment, but a larger footprint is needed when working on rough soil or poor surface conditions. 4x4 feet Outrigger Pad - 2 inches thick are high load capacity pads that won't splinter, warp, or bend when used correctly. They have a vertical load bearing capacity of up to 135,000 pounds and 45 degree angle load capacity of 55,000 pounds.The pads feature a safety textured surface for superior grip and stability. Made from a highly durable, proprietary engineered thermoplastic material, they not only provide unmatched support and stability, but they are also non-conductive, non magnetic, and resistant to water, oil, chemicals, and temperature.These outrigger pads feature safety orange handles for optimum use and clear visibility. These also deliver protection for the operator - preventing hand injuries.If the backhoe outrigger pads bend, they will return to their original state, and they are essentially indestructible if used correctly.This specific outrigger pad is priced around $1,500 and comes with a 1 year warranty. It weighs in at 160 pounds and delivers 16 square feet of coverage. There is also the 4x4 feet Outrigger Pad - 1 inch thick option, which is virtually the same product in a 1-inch thinner offering. It has a vertical load bearing capacity of up to 135,000 pounds, but the 45 degree angle load capacity is 52,000 pounds instead of 55,000 pounds.It’s priced at about $785 and weighs in at 80 pounds while providing 16 square feet of coverage. The Outrigger Pad 3 x 3 Ft x 1 Inch product is not small, but it is just a bit smaller than the 4 x 4 foot option. It offers all of the benefits and features as the previously outlined outrigger pads like safety textured surface tread, no delamination, ergonomic safety orange thermoplastic handles, and recovery memory.This size has a vertical load bearing capacity of up 93,000 pounds and a 45 degree angle load capacity of 43,000 pounds. It’s priced at just under $520 and weighs 45 pounds. It offers 9 square feet of coverage. Outrigger Pad 30 x 30 x 1 Inch delivers the same benefits and features as the previously highlighted pads, as well. These ones have a vertical load bearing capacity of 81,000 pounds and a 45 degree angle load capacity of 41,000 pounds.This version is priced at about $336.0 and weighs 31 pounds. It delivers 6.25 square feet of coverage. Finally, the Outrigger Pad 15 x 15 Inch x 3/8 Inch mini option, with all of the same features and benefits as its big brothers, has a vertical load bearing capacity of 45,000 pounds and a 45 degree angle load capacity of 20,000 pounds.This final pad is priced at about $115. It weighs 5.5 pounds and offers just over 1.5 square feet of coverage.Greatmats is your one stop shop for all different sizes and thicknesses of outrigger pads and ground protection mats for not only backhoe equipment, but for all heavy equipment from a boom truck to a tractor, crane, and more.The outrigger pads featured here are among the best available anywhere, and if you need help deciding which ones are the correct size for your backhoe, project, and site, just reach out to the Greatmats’ team who is ready to help. Together, you can decide which of the products would offer the best solutions for you.

10 tips for a successful crane set up

When Should You Use Backhoe Outrigger PadOutrigger Pads