New Features Increase FiberMax® Crane Pad Performance
December 17, 2014 (Guthrie Center, Iowa) Since its introduction in early 2014, several new features have been developed for the FiberMax® crane pad product line, from DICA® Outrigger Pads. The new features include a static dissipation strip, corner cribbing, and additional rigging hardware options. Each upgrade is designed to improve safety, ease of use, and productivity.
FiberMax® crane pads provide outstanding stability for both 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 pads, FiberMax crane mats have the ability to significantly reduce transportation costs and provide exceptional long term ROI.
The Static Dissipation Strip provides a path for electric current, static or otherwise, to the ground. The crane pads themselves are non-conductive, providing an insulating barrier from the equipment to the ground. The new option allows for the transfer of electrical charges to be 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). FiberMax crane pads can be upgraded with the static dissipation strip for as little as $100 to $250 depending on mat size.
When stacking crane mats for storage, the new Corner Cribbing feature 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 pad and is painted high visibility orange.
In addition to standard J-hooks, DICA now offers three new Rigging Hardware options including standard D-Rings, optional Crosby® Pivot Links, and a new 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 debuting at ConExpo-Con/Agg 2014, FiberMax crane pads have been put to use with 100- to 600-ton capacity mobile cranes working in a variety of ground conditions with different soil bearing capacities.
Working in refineries in the Midwest, Chellino Crane, Joliet, Ill., says that FiberMax crane mats provide them with safe, efficient setup solutions.
“Chellino Crane uses FiberMax crane pads because they’re so lightweight compared to steel pads, 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 to position them. This is a huge cost savings for the customers,” said Wesley Chellino, Operations Manager.
Other applications demonstrate the advanced load distribution capabilities of FiberMax® crane pads. FiberMax pads utilize technology originally developed for vehicle and pedestrian bridge decking applications where safety and long term use are top concerns. This “directionally isotropic” design directs the load where it is engineered to go and maximizes the surface area of the mat.
In the Gulf Coast region where the soils can be very soft, typical allowable ground bearing capacity (AGBC) are between 1,500 – 2,500 psf. One DICA customer chose specially designed FiberMax crane pads to meet their requirements of reducing heavy loads to an AGBC of 1,000 psf. In metro areas soft soils are not the challenge. Instead, the need is to reduce ground bearing pressures to avoid causing damage to underground utilities and streets. FiberMax crane pads have been selected for this application 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 designed and constructed FiberMax crane pads 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 pads 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.
DICA, Guthrie Center, Iowa, has been specializing in building a better outrigger pad since 1988. By creating engineered solutions for improving equipment stability and ergonomic safety, DICA is leading the way in product innovation for outrigger pads and crane mats.
DICA outrigger pads and crane pads 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 www.dicausa.com.
This press release is featured at Crane & Rigging Hotline.