In most cases, you must install pads (leg pads) under the crane legs, especially in the following working environments. This is one of the basic requirements of the safety regulations for lifting operations.
Why do you have to install pads under the legs?
- Distribute the load and prevent the ground from sinking
The crane legs transfer the weight of the whole machine and the hoisted load to a small contact area.
Without pads, the legs may crack asphalt, sink into the ground, penetrate brick surfaces and even damage concrete.
- Prevent the equipment from tilting or overturning
When the ground is soft and hard, the pads can adjust the height of each leg to ensure that the whole machine remains level;
When the pads are not used, once the legs settle unevenly, it is very easy to cause the crane to overturn.
- Increase friction and avoid slipping
Qualified leg pads have a non-slip texture on the surface and stronger friction at the bottom;
It can effectively prevent the legs from slipping in wet, sloped, muddy, icy and other places with high sliding risks.
- Comply with safety regulations and industry standards
In most countries and engineering projects, not using pads for work is a serious violation;
Crane manufacturers, insurance companies and construction units require pads to be in place, otherwise the accident liability will be borne by the construction party.
In what cases must pads be installed?
Situation Is it necessary to use pads? Reason
Asphalt pavement must be easy to press out potholes
Land/grass must be soft and unstable
Gravel must sink and shift
Concrete floor is generally recommended to prevent impact cracking and anti-slip
Indoor work must be fragile tiles and the floor has limited load-bearing capacity
Hard steel plate platform can be used depending on the situation. If it is strong and stable enough, it can be omitted
Serious consequences of not using pads
Legs sink into the ground → Crane tilts → Hoisting objects shift → Equipment overturns or heavy objects fall
Ground damage → Construction party compensation liability
Investigated by the regulatory unit → Suspension of work, fines, safety responsibility investigation