Making wooden crane outrigger pads is an economical and practical solution for light or temporary lifting operations. However, since wood is easy to crack when exposed to moisture and has a short lifespan, it is only recommended for emergency or low-frequency use scenarios.
Below are the detailed production steps and precautions.
- Recommended wood types
Wood type Features Recommended
Hardwood (such as beech, oak) Strong load-bearing capacity, dense structure Recommended
Plywood (multi-layer board) Easy to process, cheap, stackable Recommended
Pine, fir Too soft, easy to crack Not recommended - Common size reference (unit: mm)
Crane tonnage Recommended size (L × W × thickness)
Under 10 tons 400 × 400 × 40~50
20~30 tons 500 × 500 × 60~70
40~60 tons 600 × 600 × 80~100 - Steps for making wooden outrigger pads
- Prepare materials
Wooden board (it is recommended to use thick plywood or solid hardwood board);
Waterproof glue (for bonding between layers);
Anti-corrosion wood paint/epoxy resin (for moisture-proof);
Stainless steel screws or bolts (for reinforcement);
Electric saw, sandpaper, electric drill. - Cutting the board
Use an electric saw to cut out the required size, and the four sides can be chamfered;
It is recommended to make a double or three-layer stacked board structure, staggered to improve the bearing capacity. - Bonding and reinforcement of the layers
Each layer is bonded with waterproof glue;
The outside is staggered with screws or bolts;
The four corners or the middle can be reinforced with rib structures (such as beam structures) to enhance support. - Punching for portability
Drill a round or oval hole with a diameter of 25-40mm on the edge of the board to facilitate manual handling or rope pulling. - Anti-corrosion treatment
Apply anti-corrosion paint or epoxy coating on the entire surface (especially the sides and holes);
Apply a second layer after drying to ensure moisture-proof and waterproof effects.
Precautions
Item Recommendation
Board drying Make sure to use dry wood to prevent cracking and deformation
Waterproof treatment Anti-corrosion and edge sealing must be done before outdoor use
Do not overload The load limit of the board is lower than that of UHMWPE, and the tonnage needs to be limited
Easy to age Check regularly for rot, breakage or swelling due to moisture
Advantages:
Low cost and easy to obtain materials;
Simple processing, suitable for temporary use;
Multiple pieces can be stacked to adjust the support height.
Disadvantages:
Easy to absorb water and rot;
Lower compression resistance than plastic pads;
Heavy weight and inconvenient to carry;
Short life (replace within 1~2 years).