Yes, even on concrete floors, cranes still need to use support pads (leg pads) when operating. Here are the reasons:
Why do concrete floors also need support pads?
- Disperse pressure to avoid ground damage
The crane legs are subjected to concentrated force, and the local pressure is extremely high.
Although the concrete floor is hard, there may be hidden dangers of cracks, hollows or insufficient thickness. Long-term high pressure or repeated force may cause the ground to crack, collapse or damage.
The pads can expand the force area, disperse the weight pressure, and effectively protect the ground. - Improve stability and prevent the legs from sinking
If there is a slight unevenness or settlement risk on the concrete floor, it may cause the legs to sink unevenly, thereby affecting the overall stability of the crane.
HDPE or UHMWPE pads have certain flexibility and compressive resistance, can adapt to micro-topography, and improve the overall force uniformity. - Meet safety regulations
Safety standards in many countries or regions (such as OSHA, ISO) clearly recommend or stipulate that regardless of the type of ground, outriggers should be used with support pads to ensure safe operation.
Recommended foot pad types
Material Features
HDPE is compression-resistant and wear-resistant, economical and practical, suitable for conventional lifting operations
UHMWPE has stronger load-bearing capacity, suitable for large-scale lifting and high-frequency use scenarios
Composite pads/steel core pads are suitable for extremely high loads or extreme working environments
Tips
Concrete floors may seem solid, but the internal quality is difficult to judge with the naked eye.
Installing outrigger pads not only protects equipment, but also prevents accidents and improves safety.