Ground protection mats?

27RMT0N

27RMT0N

Been here much more than a while
Location
WA
0 mats.jpg

So I need to get some ground protection mats for my bucket truck, and am looking at the options online. Years ago the place I worked had AlturnaMATS which seemed to work great but they are like $300 each and I'm wondering about cheaper brands. Obviously it's an item that will potentially take a lot of abuse, and good ones could last the lifetime of my business, but man it's just plastic, it's not complicated...

I'm probably looking at getting 8 so I can leapfrog them to cross fields and whatnot, and they will likely never be used for anything heavier than my 26k gvw truck.

What are you all using?
 
I tagged you over in another thread, maybe you’ll find something in there??? I don’t know how to tag a thread….. I’m in a similar boat/shopping around. Let me know what you get!
 
I purchased 14 (white colored) Arbormats (4x8) a couple years ago. They’re decent. Not quite as stiff as alturnas. They have handles cut in so they are not too difficult for one man to carry.

One thing I don’t like is that they are not a true 8’. About 4-5” short!
 
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To date I've just been renting mats when they are needed. I've used some 4x8 duradeck mats that are probably the stiffest I've used and they are white which might help with sun damage. We drove over them one time on a saturated yard with an 80,000lb crane. They looked like ocean waves as the tires passed over them and gallons of water got pressed out of the yard, but there was zero damage at the end of the day when we pulled the truck out.

Some mats I rent are only 3' wide, they are lighter, but much easier to get off of when turning which leads to ruts despite having mats
 
We don't have a rental option here, and really I'd want to own them anyways so they would just be around to use at any time. We have very few lawns and that kind of thing here, so it would mostly be used to get the truck a bit further off the road without getting it stuck in soft ground. I'd also probably almost never need to leapfrog them to cross a space, but I basically need 6 just for the wheelbase of the truck, so might as well get two more for the labiality to advance. I could also use them for protection over septic fields. Not to drive on, just to protect against an accidental falling stick or piece of wood.

The other issue I'm obviously running into is shipping, as they are large and heavy. Wesspur is nearby but they don't list them online anymore. Need to do more looking and calling I guess.

Here is one website I'm looking at that has a lot of different brands, and their price for AlternaMats is literally $140 less than at TreeStuff, though that comes with 'free shipping' if you order $1k worth...

Ground Protection Mats & Tracks - All In Stock With Fast Delivery!

Choose from a wide range of Ground Protection Mats and Tracks. A complete range ideal for construction or events.
startsafety.com startsafety.com
 
Have you read through the past threads? Tons of posts from the past few yrs!

What options are there for mats that are heavier duty than alturna mats?

I have 24 alturnamats that I am very happy with in general. Even with double thick mats my Merlo is still leaving a noticeable imprint in the lawns we've been on. I'm curious if there are heavier/sturdier mats on the market that people are using for cranes? I was thinking about having some 3'...
www.treebuzz.com

Flexible ground protection mats

I’ve only worked around alterna style mats a few times, they seem great but heavy, rigid, expensive and durable. I’ve been using some scrap plywood I was given for the past few years and it’s done the expected job. What I love about the plywood is that it’s somewhat consumable, and easy to cut...
www.treebuzz.com

Duracek Mats

I ran across this deal. The company that makes Duradek mats has 500 factory seconds for sale. $120 each. The measure 4x7 7/8’. 1/8” shy of spec. They didn’t cut the hand holes or the holes in them. They’re located in Florida. Shipping seems a bit tough to swallow but it’s still a steal. I’m...
www.treebuzz.com

Ground protection mats

Does anyone know where I can buy 20 or more ground protection mats?
www.treebuzz.com

Ground mats for Tracked Lift...

I've been using AlturnaMats for years for Lift/Knuckle/chip trucks. Swear by them. Just wondering if something better for a tracked lift. Smoother ride would seem better than the diamond traction design. Or just plain plywood? Thanks,
www.treebuzz.com
 
@27RMT0N hit me up before you order, I could use 2-6 and that might make for some kind of discount?
I wonder if Vermeer or whatever WTD is now has some or would be a middle person
 
evo said:
@27RMT0N hit me up before you order, I could use 2-6 and that might make for some kind of discount?
I wonder if Vermeer or whatever WTD is now has some or would be a middle person
Click to expand...

Copy that, it seems that 12 is the magic number to start getting 'bulk discounts' and I could pick up a stack of 12 or whatever in person and bring a few your way. I'm hoping to make some calls on Monday to see what/if local dealers may have them, I'll keep you posted.
 
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27RMT0N said:
Copy that, it seems that 12 is the magic number to start getting 'bulk discounts' and I could pick up a stack of 12 or whatever in person and bring a few your way. I'm hoping to make some calls on Monday to see what/if local dealers may have them, I'll keep you posted.
Click to expand...
If on the right day I can even meet you near your boat dock.
 
www.sandhillplastics.com

Ground Shield Mats | Portable Platforms and Portable Roadways

Ground Shield Mats are used to create a portable roadway or working platform for vehicles, while providing traction for tracked or wheeled construction equipment. Ground Shield Mats are a superior replacement for plywood or fiberglass.
www.sandhillplastics.com www.sandhillplastics.com

I bought 10 of these 2 years ago and they have been great, super fast shipping too. I really like having 1 smooth side and pre-cut handles like these.
 
southsoundtree said:
Check Sandhill Plastics
Click to expand...

Wow, the website lists their 8x4 mats, 1/2" HDPE same as all the others, at just $166/each when something like AlturnaMats go for $300-$400 each. I'm not sure if one smooth side is a good thing or not, and the tread is certainly less aggressive than most other designs. Gave me a shipping estimate for 8 mats of $750 to a friends place on the mainland nearby or $1,200 to my island...
 
southsoundtree said:
Alturnalinks are useful for hills with a mini.

@27RMT0N
What are you thinking in regards to a loader?
Click to expand...

Loader? I'm not planning to buy a mini-skid if that's what you are asking, As far as getting them in and out of the truck, just muscle them....

What I'm learning in this thread is there are lots and lots of brands doing the exact same thing as expected, with a few different design choices and what makes sense price-wise is going to largely come down to total price after shipping, or an in person pick-up if I can manage that could make a more expensive brand the same price as a cheaper one delivered.
 
27RMT0N said:
Loader? I'm not planning to buy a mini-skid if that's what you are asking, As far as getting them in and out of the truck, just muscle them....

What I'm learning in this thread is there are lots and lots of brands doing the exact same thing as expected, with a few different design choices and what makes sense price-wise is going to largely come down to total price after shipping, or an in person pick-up if I can manage that could make a more expensive brand the same price as a cheaper one delivered.
Click to expand...
Just with my limited experience mostly using plywood for mats with my mini. On hills with wet grass the mat can shoot out from under the tracks, or become very slick on top when wet. I’d guess the same could happen with wheeled vehicles, likely more so? Thinking the drive wheel can just spit the mat out from under
 
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27RMT0N said:
Wow, the website lists their 8x4 mats, 1/2" HDPE same as all the others, at just $166/each when something like AlturnaMats go for $300-$400 each. I'm not sure if one smooth side is a good thing or not, and the tread is certainly less aggressive than most other designs. Gave me a shipping estimate for 8 mats of $750 to a friends place on the mainland nearby or $1,200 to my island...
Click to expand...
Smooth side makes for easier dragging, stacking, and a low friction turn spot for equipment or trucks. These have a stake hole in each corner for hills.
 
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27RMT0N said:
Loader? I'm not planning to buy a mini-skid if that's what you are asking, As far as getting them in and out of the truck, just muscle them....

What I'm learning in this thread is there are lots and lots of brands doing the exact same thing as expected, with a few different design choices and what makes sense price-wise is going to largely come down to total price after shipping, or an in person pick-up if I can manage that could make a more expensive brand the same price as a cheaper one delivered.
Click to expand...
Not a mini for loading mats, rather for tree material handling, pulling and pushing trees, a bucket for gravel maintenance at your shops/ home, etc.


Winching many mats into the truck might be nice. 4x8s are around 80+ pounds and awkward.
 
27RMT0N said:
Loader? I'm not planning to buy a mini-skid if that's what you are asking, As far as getting them in and out of the truck, just muscle them....

What I'm learning in this thread is there are lots and lots of brands doing the exact same thing as expected, with a few different design choices and what makes sense price-wise is going to largely come down to total price after shipping, or an in person pick-up if I can manage that could make a more expensive brand the same price as a cheaper one delivered.
Click to expand...
Arb Trolly is handy for moving mats.
 
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