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Questions You Should Know about Ground Mats

22 Jul.,2024

Ground Protection Mats FAQs | GroundGuards

What are GroundGuards&#; mats made from?
Most of our ground protection mats are made from recycled High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) which is extremely strong and lightweight. Some from our lighter duty range are made from Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE). The FastCover range of mats are made from recycled PVC.

You can find more information on our web, so please take a look.

Are they environmentally friendly?
Yes, most of our mats are made from 100% recycled plastic and all are fully recyclable at their end-life.

What are GroundGuards&#; mats used for?

Our range of ground protection mats can be used to create temporary car parks and roadways, walkways, trackways, access roads, haul roads, compound areas, tree root protection, grass reinforcement, driveway matting, ground cover, motorhome parking and much more.

How do I determine which mat system I should be using?
We have a range of light, medium and heavy duty matting solutions. Our specialists will be happy to discuss your project and advise on the best product to suit your needs. Considerations will include the duration of your project, the size and type of vehicles using the mats, the frequency of traffic, the load-bearing capacity of the ground, and the need for portability and reusability.

How do the mats join together?
Our mats are designed to connect together quickly and simply. Depending on the product, connection methods include shoulder bolts, interlocking flanges or joining clips.

How much do the mats weigh?
We have mats in all shapes and sizes. Our lightest duty mat weighs 14kg, our heaviest 350kg. Our most popular mats, MaxiTrack and MultiTrack, weigh 40kg and 39kg respectively.

How much weight can I put on the mats?
As with all ground protection mats, the support they provide is dependent on the firmness of the ground they are standing on. The website shows two loadings per product: &#;Comfortable&#; which is the loading that the mats will comfortably take in normal situations, and &#;With Caution&#; which is the loading that may be used for short term or single-use access, providing ground conditions are suitable. In all cases, if you have any questions, please just call us on +44 (0)113 267 to discuss.

Can I use mats to cross a trench?
GroundGuards&#; mats are not designed for bridging purposes. We have specialist trench cover products, TrenchGuard and TrenchPlate, designed for this specific purpose.

Are plastic mats prone to cracking or bending?
All plastic mats will flex to follow ground contours. However due to the exceptionally high grade of HDPE used in our premium mats, they are guaranteed against cracking or breaking.

Are your mats suitable for steel tracked vehicles?
Not all of them. We have a limited range that are suitable for steel tracks. Please call our friendly customer service team on +44 (0)113 267 for specific information about this.

Do I need to hire a hiab or lifting machine?
Our mats are extremely lightweight, weighing between 14kg and 40kg, so they are easy for one or two workers to manoeuvre by hand without the need or specialist lifting equipment. The exception is the heavy duty XtremMat range. This requires special lifting equipment which we have available.

Do you offer a Buy Back service?
Yes we will buy back second hand MultiTrack and MaxiTrack mats at very competitive rates, at three different condition points. This works out very cost effective for longer term projects, when compared to hiring. Please call our friendly customer service team on +44 (0)113 267 for specific information about this.

Are your mats available for purchase as well as hire?
Yes GroundGuards&#; mats are available to purchase or hire.

Do you deliver nationally?
Yes we deliver across the UK and aim for a 24 hour service.

Do you offer an international service?
Yes GroundGuards is a global business and we deliver solutions world-wide.

What&#;s the best way of cleaning plastic mats?
Pressure washing with cold water is all that is needed. For hire companies processing large quantities of mats we can offer automated washing plants.

What is the expected lifespan of your mats?
Our mats are designed for longevity with a typical lifespan of up to 10 years or more, depending on frequency and type of use.

Do you do site visits?
Yes. Please call our friendly customer service team on +44 (0)113 267 for specific information about this.

Do you offer an installation service?
Yes. Please contact us with your postcode and we&#;ll recommend a local third party installer.

Can I get a product sample?
Yes we can send you a free sample of any GroundGuards&#; products upon request.

At what point does it become cheaper to purchase rather than hire?
If your project is for a few months then we would recommend purchase with our Buy Back option.

I have a tool hire shop with a small yard, how do I store mats efficiently?
Our SafeStore Stillages are the ideal way to store and transport mats safely and efficiently. Up to 25 mats can be stored in one stillage. To save space, stillages can also be stacked vertically up to six layers high on firm level ground.

What quality controls are your stillages rated to?
Our SafeStore Stillages are independently certified for loading and stacking.

Can your mats be used for tree root protection?
Yes we have several mats in our range that are suitable for tree root protection and will satisfy arboricultural requirements. Please call us on +44 (0)113 267 for advice.

Do I need to prepare the surface that mats are to be laid on?
Your site may require some preparation if the ground is in poor condition. Please send us site photos, or ask for a site visit.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit XINXINGHUAGONG.

What other support can GroundGuards offer me?
Our comprehensive after-sales support package includes free site visits, expert consultation, product samples, team training, marketing support and access to online resources.

6 Questions to Ask When Choosing Mats for Ground ...

When building a work site plan, key factors include safety, efficiency, quality of equipment and budget. As you consider ground protection solutions for your construction or industrial work site, start with the following six questions to choose the correct product for your needs.

1. Should I choose wood or composite access mats?

You need a safe, stable, flexible and durable foundation to get your work done on time while protecting crews and equipment in all conditions and climates. Composite mats are engineered to provide that access.

Composite construction mats better protect workers and equipment, improve ROI and safeguard the environment at any job site. Consider the following benefits.

2. What are the ground conditions for the project?

Determine the surface you will build on: soil, mud, saturated, rocky, grassy, sandy, sloped, etc.

Composite mats conform more easily to uneven surfaces and can be joined with pins to build consistent work and access surfaces. The overlapping flanges and locking pins reduce gaps and breaks that lead to excessive wear and tear, damage to equipment and injury to workers.

Questions about the soil condition of your site, the bearing capacity of the sub-grade, the load and traffic requirements and duration of the project will all impact the number of mats and the configuration of your road or work site. These issues are best addressed by geoengineers or project managers prior to installation.

3. What is the application?

Is it a work platform or access road? Once you've determined the application, plan your starting point &#; Point A &#; and your ending point &#; Point B. What are you using the road or platform for?

Factors can include:

Changing terrain or sub-grade conditions for a longer temporary roadway
Expected daily traffic on the matting
Duration of project
Need for passing or turn lanes
Work site land restoration requirements

Create a site plan. Consult field training guides or an expert adviser about preferred layouts and order of mat placement for best performance for your conditions.

Consider whether you need heavy-duty, medium-duty or light-duty composite matting for the best return on investment. Signature experts have years of experience to advise on the best product for your project.

4. What equipment is involved?

What trucks and heavy equipment will be operating on the installed roads or platforms during the same hours of operation? Will you need passing or turn lanes?

What is your heaviest piece of equipment?

Always ask for the performance specs and recommended load limits before choosing ground protection to keep your personnel and equipment safe.

For example, the largest and heaviest telescoping cranes have specific safety requirements for ground protection.

5. Are there any requirements or site regulations regarding cross-contamination of chemicals, toxins or invasive plants, stormwater runoff or other restrictions?

Environmental regulations in some states or for sensitive sites often require composite matting to ensure that no invasive species or cross-contamination of site-related waste or debris reach the ground.

Research any restrictions for the area you're working in and ensure you understand the requirements for your project before setting up.

Composite mats can be pressure washed before or after removal, reused and transported to new work sites without fear of cross-contamination. Wood mats absorb water and contaminants and cannot be easily or effectively cleaned.

If toxic liquids are present that should not reach the ground, use a waterproof protective layer or geotextile first before placing mats on-site.

6. Do you plan to re-use the ground protection for another project or transport it to another location?

If yes, understand the reusability and ROI benefits of high-quality composite matting compared with wood matting that can save you time and money over the course of the project and subsequent projects.

Composite mats are consistent in quality, don&#;t rot, split or lose strength when wet. They are lighter in weight and require fewer trucks to move.

Companies can transport more composite mats than wood mats on each truck, reducing shipping, labor and fuel costs and saving valuable time in tight operations schedules.

Because composite mats limit damage to the work site, crews also spend less time on cleanup repairing rutting or soil compaction issues on affected property.

Learn more about our leading construction and industrial matting MegaDeck® HD+, SignaRoad® and DuraDeck®.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Ground Mats.

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Questions You Should Know about Ground Mats

Ground Protection Mats FAQs | GroundGuards

Are they environmentally friendly?Yes, most of our mats are made from 100% recycled plastic and all are fully recyclable at their end-life.

How do the mats join together?Our mats are designed to connect together quickly and simply. Depending on the product, connection methods include shoulder bolts, interlocking flanges or joining clips.

How much do the mats weigh?We have mats in all shapes and sizes. Our lightest duty mat weighs 14kg, our heaviest 350kg. Our most popular mats, MaxiTrack and MultiTrack, weigh 40kg and 39kg respectively.

Can I use mats to cross a trench?GroundGuards&#; mats are not designed for bridging purposes. We have specialist trench cover products, TrenchGuard and TrenchPlate, designed for this specific purpose.

Are plastic mats prone to cracking or bending?All plastic mats will flex to follow ground contours. However due to the exceptionally high grade of HDPE used in our premium mats, they are guaranteed against cracking or breaking.

Are your mats suitable for steel tracked vehicles?Not all of them. We have a limited range that are suitable for steel tracks. Please call our friendly customer service team on +44 (0)113 267 for specific information about this.

Are your mats available for purchase as well as hire?Yes GroundGuards&#; mats are available to purchase or hire.

Do you deliver nationally?Yes we deliver across the UK and aim for a 24 hour service.

Do you offer an international service?Yes GroundGuards is a global business and we deliver solutions world-wide.

What&#;s the best way of cleaning plastic mats?Pressure washing with cold water is all that is needed. For hire companies processing large quantities of mats we can offer automated washing plants.

What is the expected lifespan of your mats?Our mats are designed for longevity with a typical lifespan of up to 10 years or more, depending on frequency and type of use.

Do you do site visits?Yes. Please call our friendly customer service team on +44 (0)113 267 for specific information about this.

Do you offer an installation service?Yes. Please contact us with your postcode and we&#;ll recommend a local third party installer.

Can I get a product sample?Yes we can send you a free sample of any GroundGuards&#; products upon request.

At what point does it become cheaper to purchase rather than hire?If your project is for a few months then we would recommend purchase with our Buy Back option.

What quality controls are your stillages rated to?Our SafeStore Stillages are independently certified for loading and stacking.

Can your mats be used for tree root protection?Yes we have several mats in our range that are suitable for tree root protection and will satisfy arboricultural requirements. Please call us on +44 (0)113 267 for advice.

Do I need to prepare the surface that mats are to be laid on?Your site may require some preparation if the ground is in poor condition. Please send us site photos, or ask for a site visit. If you are looking for more details, kindly visit XINXINGHUAGONG.

What other support can GroundGuards offer me?Our comprehensive after-sales support package includes free site visits, expert consultation, product samples, team training, marketing support and access to online resources.