The Safe Use of Outrigger Crane Pads for Equipment Stability
An outrigger crane pad is a solid block of engineered material used to distribute the weight of the equipment over a greater surface area. An outrigger pad is a safety tool that can be used with any equipment that has outriggers, down jacks or stabilizers. It is a must for stability when a piece of equipment – such as a crane – lifts loads or personnel aloft. Understanding Outrigger Crane Pads Outrigger pads are essential components placed beneath the outrigger, shoe, float, or foot of equipment. Choosing the appropriate size and thickness of these pads depends on factors such as equipment type, soil conditions at the worksite, and the type of lift being executed. When utilizing outrigger systems, it's critical to recognize that the contact area between an outrigger and the ground is relatively small. Due to the pressure exerted by the outrigger, the ground beneath it may shift, become displaced, or even collapse without the use of outrigger pads. Any of these scenarios co