6 Best Mounting Plates For Mobile Hydraulic Equipment

Setting up a crane or aerial lift on a job site is the moment where theory meets the unforgiving reality of ground pressure. Whether working on soft soil during a tear-off or stabilizing a heavy lift on a paved residential driveway, the choice of outrigger pads determines whether the equipment stays level or creates a liability. Relying on makeshift plywood or scrap lumber is a gamble that professional crews stopped taking years ago. Proper mounting plates are an investment in safety that prevents equipment tip-overs and protects finished surfaces from catastrophic damage.

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DICA SafetyTech Outrigger Pads: Best Overall

DICA SafetyTech pads are the gold standard for a reason. These pads are engineered with a proprietary thermoplastic material that is virtually indestructible under normal operating conditions. Unlike wood or cheaper plastics, they will not crack, splinter, or absorb moisture, making them ideal for crews that rotate between muddy site conditions and pristine residential driveways.

The standout feature here is the engineered handle design, which allows for a secure grip without pinching fingers—a small but critical detail during a rapid setup. The material is designed to flex slightly under extreme load, which helps the pad distribute pressure evenly rather than cracking under a localized spike.

Bottom line: If the budget allows for a permanent, “buy-once” solution, these are the pads to purchase. They offer the best weight-to-strength ratio on the market today.

AlturnaMATS Outrigger Pads: Top Composite Pick

AlturnaMATS are built from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), providing a rigid, non-slip surface that performs exceptionally well in temperate climates. These pads excel on surfaces where traction is a concern, as the molded diamond-plate surface provides a necessary mechanical grip for the outrigger foot.

The composition of these pads makes them remarkably lightweight compared to steel or solid wood counterparts. For a crew moving a boom lift several times throughout a commercial roofing project, the reduced physical strain of carrying these mats is a significant productivity booster.

However, be aware that in extreme cold, HDPE can become brittle if subjected to high-impact drops. Keep them out of direct, prolonged exposure to extreme UV rays to ensure the polymer life isn’t prematurely degraded.

Greatbear Steel Crane Outrigger Pad: For Heavy Lifts

When the load exceeds the capacity of composites, steel is the only viable option. Greatbear steel pads are fabricated for maximum rigidity and high-point-load bearing, making them the default choice for heavy cranes operating on unstable, uneven, or extremely soft ground.

Steel has one clear advantage over every other material: it does not flex. In scenarios where the outrigger pressure is immense, a flexing pad can actually create a secondary ground failure. These steel plates keep the force profile concentrated and stable.

The trade-off is weight—these require multiple people or mechanical assistance to position correctly. Always verify the weight of the individual pad before ordering to ensure the team can handle them safely without injury.

TuffTrak Lite Heavy Duty Pads: Best for Portability

TuffTrak Lite pads are designed for the crew that needs a balance between heavy-duty capacity and the ability to maneuver pads quickly by hand. They utilize a specialized composite blend that maintains its structural integrity while being light enough for one person to manage effectively.

These are excellent for residential jobs where the equipment must be moved around a tight landscape without tearing up the homeowner’s lawn. The surface texture is aggressive enough to prevent slipping, yet it won’t leave deep, ugly impressions on concrete or pavers like a heavy steel plate might.

Use these for lighter aerial lifts and smaller boom trucks. They represent the perfect middle ground for crews focused on speed and site aesthetics.

Eagle Outrigger Pads: Best Value for Small Crews

Eagle pads offer a reliable, no-nonsense solution for smaller operations that need to meet OSHA compliance without overspending on high-end branding. They are manufactured from a solid, monolithic polyethylene construction that eliminates the risk of delamination.

These pads are surprisingly resilient against oil, chemicals, and water. For a contractor working on a job site where equipment leaks are a constant reality, the ease of cleaning these pads is a major advantage.

While they lack some of the sophisticated handle designs of the more expensive brands, they get the job done. They are the ideal starter set for a growing roofing business that is transitioning from “scrap lumber” to professional safety gear.

Linton Rigging Gear Wood Pads: The Classic Choice

Linton produces high-quality wood pads, typically made from heavy-duty laminated timbers. Some veterans still prefer wood because of its natural “give” and its ability to provide a high level of friction against almost any ground surface.

Wood has a unique ability to conform to minor surface irregularities, which can be an advantage on rocky or uneven terrain. However, the downside is maintenance; wood pads are heavy, they can rot if left wet, and they are susceptible to splintering after heavy use.

If wood is the choice, inspect them before every single lift for stress cracks or fungal rot. Once a wooden pad loses its structural integrity, it must be retired immediately to prevent a total failure.

How to Calculate Your Required Pad Load Capacity

Before setting up, know the maximum vertical load of the equipment’s outriggers. This is often listed on a capacity plate near the outrigger controls or in the crane’s operation manual.

Divide that load by the square footage of the pad you intend to use to find the ground bearing pressure. Compare this number against the estimated bearing capacity of the soil.

• Firm/Compacted Soil: Can support 3,000–5,000 psf (pounds per square foot).
• Loose Soil/Mud: Can drop below 1,000 psf.
• Concrete/Asphalt: Usually supports 10,000+ psf.

If the ground pressure exceeds the soil’s bearing capacity, the outrigger will sink, the crane will tilt, and the load chart is effectively invalidated. Never guess; use a soil testing probe or, at minimum, a visual assessment of the moisture and density of the surface.

Composite vs. Wood vs. Steel: Choosing Your Pad

Choosing the right material depends on the specific demands of the project environment and the equipment weight.

• Composite: Best for weight savings, long-term durability, and moisture resistance. Avoid in extreme, freezing temperatures where cracking is a risk.
• Steel: Necessary for extreme loads and preventing deflection. Use when structural rigidity is more important than portability.
• Wood: Best for high-friction needs and budget-conscious crews. Requires consistent inspection for rot and structural fatigue.

The choice is often about the tradeoff between transportability and rigidity. A heavy-duty steel plate is useless if the crew is too exhausted to place it correctly; conversely, a light composite pad is dangerous if it isn’t rated for the specific crane’s tonnage.

Sizing Your Mounting Plate for Ground Conditions

The rule of thumb is simple: the softer the ground, the larger the pad footprint needs to be. A larger pad disperses the outrigger’s force over a wider area, reducing the pounds-per-square-inch (PSI) acting on the substrate.

On solid concrete, you are primarily using a pad to protect the surface from marring and to provide a level transition. On grass or dirt, you are using the pad to prevent the machine from becoming a buried anchor.

Always err on the side of a larger footprint. If the equipment manual recommends a 24-inch pad, a 30-inch pad is almost never a bad idea.

Inspecting and Maintaining Your Outrigger Pads

A pad that has been compromised is a death trap. Conduct a visual inspection of every pad before it leaves the truck, looking for deep gouges, cracks, or signs of dry rot in wood.

Clean the pads of mud, oil, and construction debris after each job. Debris left on the bottom of a pad creates an uneven surface that focuses pressure on a single point, potentially causing a pad to snap under load.

Store pads flat and out of the elements when not in use. Even the most expensive composite pad will warp if left propped against a wall in the sun for an entire summer.

Investing in the correct outrigger pads is not just about staying compliant with site safety regulations; it is about protecting the machine and the project budget from a costly accident. Whether opting for the extreme durability of DICA or the value of Eagle, ensure the hardware matches the crane’s capacity and the ground conditions of the job site. Proper setup is the foundation of every successful lift.