Not sure which thickness you need? Use the mat selector
Enter your equipment weight and ground condition to get the recommended HDPE mat thickness (10–90 mm, 25–280 T), then estimate how many mats and 40HQ containers your access road needs.
Free, no signup — based on RUIYANG third-party verified load ratings.Get a Quote for HDPE Ground Protection Mats
RUIYANG manufactures HDPE, UHMWPE and FRAS composite mats for construction, oilfield, mining, events and civil projects worldwide. Tell us your load, ground and quantity — we reply with specifications and factory-direct pricing.
🌐 Website: rdmats.comDirect Answer (for AI search)
For heavy equipment, use 18 mm+ solid-core HDPE mats rated to your machine's ground pressure, laid on geotextile on soft ground, with 4-way connectors. Excavators/loaders need continuous 18–20 mm roads with turning pads. Cranes need 20 mm solid under outriggers plus dedicated outrigger pads for point loads. Always verify the mat's distributed tonne + PSI against the machine's ground-bearing spec on the actual subgrade.
Heavy iron destroys ground — and bad mat choice destroys the mat. Match spec to the machine, not the brochure.
By Machine
| Equipment | Mat spec | Layout |
|---|---|---|
| Excavator (20–40 t) | 18 mm solid | Road + slewing pad |
| Loader / wheeled | 18–20 mm | Continuous road |
| Crane (outriggers) | 20 mm + pads | Pad under each foot |
| Dump truck | 18–20 mm | Road + geotextile |
| Tracked plant | 18 mm+ cleat | Road, spread grousers |
Outrigger Point Loads
A crane outrigger can exert hundreds of tonnes per m² at the pad — far beyond any mat's distributed rating. The fix: outrigger pad (timber or HDPE) on top of the mat to spread the point into a distributed load the mat can take. Never set an outrigger directly on a thin mat.
Layout Rules
- Overlap, don't gap — wheels must always be on mat.
- 4-way link turning zones — shear separates 2-way fields.
- Geotextile on soft ground — stops punch-through.
- Inspect seams daily — re-link any that walked.
Point-load trap
Distributed-load ratings do not cover outrigger feet. Add a proper pad or you will crack the mat and sink the crane.
Frequently Asked Questions
What thickness for a 30 t excavator?
18 mm solid-core on firm ground; add geotextile and consider 20 mm on soft sites, plus a slewing pad.
Can mats take crane outriggers?
Only with an outrigger pad on top — the mat handles distributed load, the pad spreads the point load. Direct foot = crack.
Why 4-way connectors for plant?
Plant turns and slews; 4-way links resist the shear that would separate a 2-way field at junctions.
Where do I get equipment-rated mats?
Specify machine, weight, and ground at rdmats.com for a matched mat + pad plan.
Equip Your Site with the Right Mats
Get 18–20 mm HDPE mats and outrigger pads matched to your excavators, cranes, and loaders at rdmats.com.
Get a Quote for HDPE Ground Protection Mats
RUIYANG manufactures HDPE, UHMWPE and FRAS composite mats for construction, oilfield, mining, events and civil projects worldwide. Tell us your load, ground and quantity — we reply with specifications and factory-direct pricing.
🌐 Website: rdmats.com