👠 vs. 🐘: What Stilettos, Elephants, and Outrigger Pads Have in Common

At first glance, you probably wouldn’t compare a high heel to an elephant foot—but when it comes to pounds per square inch (PSI), the difference is wild. And understanding that difference might just keep your jobsite safer.
Let’s break it down.

👠 The Stiletto Scenario
A woman weighing 100 lbs takes a step in high heels. Sounds harmless, right?

But consider this:

• Her weight is concentrated on one heel
• The tip of that heel is only about 1/16 of a square inch

So let’s do the math:
100 lbs ÷ 0.0625 in² = 1,600 PSI

That’s 1,600 pounds of pressure in a tiny area—enough to dent soft flooring, crack tiles, or damage delicate surfaces. If that heel were holding up a crane? Forget it.

🐘 The Elephant Equation
Now imagine a 6,000-pound elephant lumbering around. Heavy, yes.

But look at how it carries that weight:

• A 6,000-pound elephant when walking will evenly distribute 3,000 pounds of weight on the two feet touching the ground.
• Each foot has an average surface area of 40 square inches.

So:

• 3,000 lbs ÷ 40 in² = 75 PSI
• Surprisingly gentle for something so massive!

What This Means for Your Equipment
Whether you’re operating a crane, utility truck, concrete pump, or drill rig, proper weight distribution is everything.

Just like that stiletto can do more damage than Dumbo, your heavy equipment can cause:

• Ground instability
• Equipment tipping
• Safety hazards
• Liability issues

Outrigger pads spread the load—turning that metaphorical stiletto into a well-balanced elephant. And that means:

• Less ground damage
• More stable equipment
• Safer work environments
• Work Like an Elephant (Not a Heel)

The lesson?
Don’t let your gear apply stiletto-level pressure on your jobsite.
Use outrigger pads to keep the load steady and the crew safe.

Our custom-fabricated pads are designed for serious support, whether you’re working in soft soil, pavement, gravel, or grass.