Q. What size crane pad do I need?
Call us at 800-610-3422 or click here to provide a way to contact you. We’ll ask a few basic questions about your equipment, current products and results you’re seeing. Our team will detail the best options for you based on your equipment, application, and desired results.

Q. We use 8” thick engineered steel crane mats. How does the bending stress of a 6” thick Mega Duty compare with bending stress of our 8” thick steel crane mats?
FiberMax Crane Pads have a crush rating and maximum rated capacity for each thickness.  

Q. What are FiberMax Crane Pads made of?
The crane outrigger pads are made of FRP.  Fiber-Reinforce Polymers.  This is a composite material made of a vinylester polymer that is reinforced with specially designed fiberglass.

Q. What is inside your crane mats?
The overall structural configuration of the crane mats is a sandwich construction consisting of top and bottom layers that are molded with an internal core. The fiberglass reinforcement in the top and bottom surfaces of the crane mat are E-glass fiberglass fabrics. These fabrics are arranged to engineer the structural properties to most efficiently handle the applied loads on these construction mats for sale. The inside of the crane outrigger pad is a grid of Bi-Directional Shear Webs (Primary and Secondary) and closed cell foam. The purpose of the crane mat’s foam is to fill space, create a mold (cavity) for the resin and to hold the fiberglass laminate in-place. The shear webs (Primary and Secondary) are fully molded and integrated with the top and bottom face sheets to create a single body fully integrated mobile crane outrigger pad. 

Q. How thick are the shear webs?
Shear web thicknesses range from 1/16” of an inch to ¾”. Web spacing varies from 3” to 8”. The shear webs are sized for to most efficiently handle the applied loads.  Primary shear webs running longitudinally are thicker than the secondary shear webs that run perpendicular inside the crane outrigger pad.

Q. What are top and bottom layers made of? 
The top and bottom FRP layers are part of the overall crane outrigger pad construction and designed to most efficiently handle the applied loads. Standard (non-HD) skin thickness varies from 3/8” to 1” and can be adapted as needed.

Q. What is a bi-directional core?
A Bi-Directional core is a core that is configured in two directions. 

Q. What are the bending stresses of your crane outrigger pads?
DICA has physically tested each pad design in an independent third party laboratory in well-defined scenarios.  The physical test data has been correlated with our independent third party Finite Element Analysis (FEA) models to more accurately generate projected performance results in different ground conditions and under different loads and pressures.  This modeling technology allows us to generate and present information on many different types of materials used for foundation support. The FEA’s allows us to model ground support, intermediate foundation support (outrigger and crane pads) and exerted loads. The output provides a realistic view of stress and strain within the foundational materials and to project ground displacement, ground pressures, and material deflection. The results from this approach provide the user with a more accurate understanding of the modeled environment and results.

Q. We build our own engineered steel crane mats and have never had any issues so why change? Do yours perform or distribute load better than 6-8″ steel crane mats?
In order for DICA to evaluate the load distribution of your crane outrigger pads, you just need to submit a drawing of your steel crane mats.

Q. Reducing crane mat weight is not critical for me so why should I pay more for your product?
Great, question. Here are a few examples.

1. DICA is in the business of providing solutions to customer’s needs.  We eliminate the guesswork.
2. Many customers have shared with us that after evaluating their total cost of engineering, materials, time and construction of their own crane outrigger pads, FiberMax Crane Pads cost less.
3. Set-up, tear down and storage time is minimized with DICA’s lifting hardware and accessories. That saves you labor costs every time you use your pads.
4. FiberMax pads are a fully engineered and proven solution that will provide years of service.
5. Why assume the liability risk of a homemade pad when you can shift the liability risk to a 3^rd party?

Q. Do I need to set up my float inside the round black target?  What happens if I don’t?
Outrigger Floats placed outside the circle will have non-uniform ground bearing pressures.

Q. If I set up outside the float target, will it void the warranty or change the capacity?
No, this act alone will not void the warranty. However, this can be a serious safety risk that will cause concentrated ground bearing pressure.  The risk is fully dependent upon how the ground under the pads reacts.  If the ground gives way and causes the pad to be driven into the ground serious damage to the pad can occur, which will not be covered by our warranty.  If this was to happen more severe consequences such as the crane overturning can occur.  This is not a product issue, this is a physics issue.

Q. I’ve heard you sometimes recommend neoprene under your crane pads, why?
Neoprene is a fantastic solution for all of our load distribution products.  It allows our products to flex a little on hard surfaces which allows for significantly improved load distribution.

Q. Why do you put a wear surface on the top side?
We use our standard wear surface on the top surface only.  The purpose of the wear-surface is to provide better traction to prevent an operator from slipping on the surface under wet conditions.

Q. What ability do FiberMax Crane Pads have to resist damage caused by point loading from rocks?
FiberMax top and bottom face sheets are designed to withstand significant loads and to endure the rough conditions that crane pads are used in.  Puncture of the top or bottom face sheets can and should be repaired if it were to occur.  To avoid puncture damage do not set up the pads on a hard surface (such as concrete) with rocks on the surface.  Always remove any hard debris from under the pads prior to use.

Q. What ability do FiberMax crane pads have to resist damage caused by forklifts impacting the sides?
A protective steel frame around the entire perimeter of the crane mat prevents forks from damaging or penetrating the interior.  The steel frame is simply a protector of the pad and a way to affix lifting hardware and other accessories.

Q. Are there any chemicals to avoid when using FiberMax Crane Pads?
No.  This is one of the significant advantages of fiberglass materials.  These same materials are used in the most corrosive environments in the world and will outperform steel crane pads and wood crane pads in the most common situations.  Nothing encountered on a typical job site will have any effect on the fiberglass materials used in FiberMax crane pads.

Q. What is the expected lifetime of FiberMax crane pads in wet or dry environments?
Wet or dry environments have no effect on our fiberglass materials and will not limit their service life.  The same material is utilized for applications in submerged salt water and extremely dry desert environments. The typical failure of these pads would be from damage during handling.  You can expect 20+ years of service life from FiberMax crane pads. 

Q. Are FiberMax crane pads susceptible to UV deterioration?
UV will not affect the structural integrity of the crane mats for at least 40 years. The resins in the crane mats have UV inhibitors that greatly slow UV degradation. We also apply a secondary coating that also has extremely good UV stabilization.

Q. What makes FiberMax crane pads work at such a reduced weight?
The fully molded solid laminate surfaces and Bi-Directional Shear Web Design are the major components. They deliver the performance that allows the pads to weigh up to 60% less than steel crane pads – while being just as strong. This technology was originally developed and used for bridges.

Q. Are additional lifting hardware options available for FiberMax crane pads?
Yes, Crosby® lifting points, D-rings, and stack & pin options are available.

Q. Will my FiberMax crane pads ship regular freight or flatbed?
We work with you to determine the best freight method for your shipment.

Q. Are all FiberMax crane pads individually load tested?
FiberMax crane pads have undergone extensive independent physical testing at North Carolina State University, additional information specific to each size is available in our Owners Manual.

Q. Can our company name be added to FiberMax crane pads?
Yes, your company name will be added to the rating plate on each FiberMax crane pad. 

Q. What are the minimum and maximum temperature operational ranges of FiberMax crane pads?
-40°F to 131°F / -40C to +55C.  FiberMax crane pads will work outside this range, but there will begin to be a reduction in performance.  Please contact us if this is a concern for you.

Q. Are FiberMax crane pads subject to creep?
Fiberglass materials are typically not subject to creep (the tendency of a solid material to move slowly or deform permanently under the influence of mechanical stresses) unless under high temperature (much higher than the operating range detail) and high loads.

These FiberMax pads are awesome!!! – Mark Adcock, Adcock Cranes Inc.

We are using the FiberMax Crane Pads on our new Liebherr and the operator and crew couldn’t be happier. Their reason is that they are easy to handle, confidence in the product and they look professional. We also like that they weigh half as much as our wood/steel plated crane pads.

I will admit when I received the quote I was a little sticker shocked until I started to calculate what I have spent on the wood mats that last only a couple years, adding the steel plates and the labor to do so. The FiberMax Pads with their ease of handling, lightweight, professional look, confidence, and longevity are going to pay for themselves in just a few years.

The customer service you receive from DICA is outstanding. They are always there to answer any question you have. We also use their SafetyTech Outrigger Pads on some of our smaller cranes and the operators say they are outstanding. We will definitely be continuing our relationship with DICA. -Joe Estep, Connelly Crane Rental

Our operators love the crane pads! It gives us confidence and our customers peace of mind when we have to make a max pick. When we know the crane is setup on an engineered pad and solid ground the operator is not constantly watching his outrigger but can focus his attention on the lift taking place. This one set of pads has proven so valuable to us that we are looking at another 4 sets of crane pads. – Ronnie Wagstaff, Wagstaff Crane

We’ve used 4×4 crane pads and 6×6 timbers with steel plate on top. They got old and from being wet, started rotting in the center. FiberMax crane pads give you a lot of confidence. It makes you feel better when you’re up there and you’ve got a bunch of people down here counting on you. -JJ Southwest Industrial Rigging

FiberMax crane pads deliver exceptional performance not only because of their ground load ratings but also for their lightweight and ease of handling which equals lower transportation costs. – Maverick Black

The DICA crane pads are working great in our crane service fleet. They provide easy transport and storage onboard our cranes. Allows a quick set up in the busy West Philadelphia streets. – James Cassalia, CMC Equipment Rental

I recently received a new set of 4’x6’x4″ DICA crane pads. I will say at first I was unsure of the lightweight yellow pad.  Prior to, I was using 5’x7’x8″ white oak crane pads. Wood was all we’ve ever used so I’ve never really given it much thought there could be something better. The biggest problem we had with the wood crane pads was the weight. A set of four weighs around 10,500 lbs. They were effective but heavy and hard to handle. When we received the DICA crane pads, I really felt they were too thin. Much to my surprise they turned out to be as strong as they are yellow. I quickly found my crane, once leveled stayed level. No more bowing or sinking on one side like when using wood pads. I’m sold on the DICA crane pads, a set of four weighs just over 6,400 lbs.  The new pads have freed up more weight and space on my rigging trailer for other things I need. I am completely sold on these crane pads, thanks DICA! – Greg Ormund, Southern Crane