Crane & Rigging Hot Line Reviews Fibermax Crane Mat Performance

Since its introduction in early 2014, several new features have been developed for the FiberMax® crane mat product line, from DICA® Outrigger Pads. New features include a static dissipation strip, corner cribbing, and rigging hardware options.

(PRWEB) - Crane & Rigging Hot Line reviews Fibermax Crane Mat Performance and discovers improved safety and low cost of ownership. Since its introduction in early 2014, several new features have been developed for the FiberMax® crane mat product line, from DICA® Outrigger Pads. New features include a static dissipation strip, corner cribbing, and rigging hardware options. Each upgrade improves safety, ease of use, and productivity.

FiberMax® crane mats provide outstanding stability for outrigger-enabled mobile cranes and crawler cranes in a wide variety of ground conditions. Engineered for incredible strength and rigidity, but weighing less than half the weight of steel crane mats, FiberMax crane mats significantly reduce transportation costs and provide exceptional long term ROI.

The Static Dissipation Strip provides a path for electric current to the ground. The crane mats themselves are non-conductive. The new option transfers electrical charges transmitted through the equipment float into the dissipation strip to the steel frame and ultimately to the ground (assuming the mat is placed on a conductive surface). The upgrade costs as little as $100 to $250 depending on mat size.

When stacking crane mats for storage, Corner Cribbing eliminates the need for operators to place temporary cribbing between each mat. This makes stacking the mats using a forklift more efficient and eliminates pinch hazards between stacked mats. The corner cribbing option is $100 per mat and is painted high visibility orange.

In addition to standard J-hooks, DICA now offers three Rigging Hardware options including standard D-Rings, optional Crosby® Pivot Links, and a Stack & Pin option. The Stack & Pin feature secures four mats together for lifting as a single unit. This feature simplifies load securement for transportation and storage purposes. Prices vary based on hardware and mat sizes.

Customer Applications
Since their debut at ConExpo, FiberMax crane mats have been used with 100- to 600-ton capacity mobile cranes working in a variety of ground conditions with different soil bearing capacities.

Chellino Crane, Joliet, Ill., says that FiberMax crane mats provide them with safe, efficient setup solutions for working in refineries. “Chellino Crane uses FiberMax crane mats because they’re so lightweight compared to steel, making them easy to transport and move around the job site. Our customers in refinery plants have even taken notice, especially, when we use the DICA ZeroLift Pad Rack on our 100-ton RTs to carry the mats instead of using a forklift. This is a huge cost savings for the customers,” said Wesley Chellino, Operations Manager.

Other applications demonstrate the load distribution capabilities of FiberMax® crane mats, which have a “directionally isotropic” design that directs the load where it is engineered to go and maximizes the mat’s surface area.

Along the Gulf Coast where typical allowable ground bearing capacity (AGBC) for the soft soil is between 1,500 - 2,500 psf, one DICA customer chose custom FiberMax crane mats to reduce heavy loads to an AGBC of 1,000 psf. In urban environments, ground bearing pressures must be reduced to avoid damaging underground utilities and streets. FiberMax crane mats were used in Washington, D.C. to reduce the extreme ground bearing pressures from a 400-ton crane to meet everyday lifting needs.

In a crawler crane application in Florida, the U.S. Navy is using custom FiberMax crane mats where the supported load is as high as 769,000 pounds and the allowable ground bearing pressure is just under 900 psf.

“DICA FiberMax® cranes mats are proving themselves to be a dependable lightweight solution that are able to meet some of the most demanding environments around the world,” said Kris Koberg, CEO of DICA Outrigger Pads.

About DICA Outrigger Pads
DICA, Guthrie Center, Iowa, has been specializing in building a better outrigger pad since 1988. DICA outrigger pads and crane mats are used in 20+ countries and on 6 continents around the world in construction, maintenance, electrical utility, oil and gas and tree care as well as local, state and federal government agencies. DICA is a family-owned and operated company and its products are proudly Made in the USA. Learn more at http://www.dicausa.com.

About Maximum Capacity Media Group Inc.
MCM Group LLC, a subsidiary of Heartland Communications Group Inc., publishes a number of heavy equipment magazines, electronic newsletters, and websites for the North American market. Its print products—Crane and Rigging Hot Line, Lift and Access, Contractors Hot Line, Attachment Connection, and Parts Connection—analyze new technologies, discuss industry trends, and review unique applications for buyers and owners of construction and rental equipment.