Outrigger Pads: Essential Stability and Safety for Heavy Equipment

What Are Outrigger Pads and How Are They Used?

Outrigger pads are essential stabilizer pads used in construction and crane operations to distribute pressure across the ground. When a crane’s leg extends downward, it places immense pressure on a small area. A properly sized outrigger pad—often two to three times larger than the footpad—helps disperse the weight more effectively, reducing ground pressure and enhancing stability.

For example, a 20″ x 20″ pad bears all the weight in a concentrated area, while a 48″ x 48″ pad distributes the weight more evenly, increasing support and preventing ground subsidence.

Outrigger pads for boom trucks ensure that stabilizers maintain balance on various terrains. Truck outriggers require a sturdy base to prevent the vehicle from shifting under load.

Why Are Outrigger Pads Essential for Job Site Safety?

Safety is paramount. Choosing inferior materials, such as wood, can compromise stability. If an outrigger leg starts to sink due to an inadequate base, it can throw off the crane’s balance, leading to catastrophic tipping hazards. Investing in outrigger mats or rubber crane mats ensures safe operation by preventing instability.

How Do Outrigger Pads Improve Stability?

Outrigger pads for cranes, increase ground surface area and disperse pressure—up to 3,000 lbs per square foot—significantly improving safety conditions. The greater the weight distribution, the more secure the equipment.

Risks of Not Using Proper Outrigger Pads

Failing to use outrigger pads, or using improper ground support, increases the risk of crane tipping, unstable lifting conditions, and severe injuries. Weak ground support leads to sinking outrigger legs, putting both workers and equipment at risk.

Why Choose Cope Plastics’ Outrigger Pads Over Traditional Materials?

Durability & Weather Resistance

Cope Plastics’ mats for cranes are made from UHMW (Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene), designed for high impact resistance and long-term wear.

“You can hit it with a hammer, and sure, you’ll see a mark—but it won’t break or lose its integrity. These pads are built to last in extreme heat, cold, dry, or wet conditions.”

— Travis Gooden, Goodyear, AZ Branch Manager

These outrigger mats perform well in extreme temperatures, resist warping, cracking, or degrading, and are trusted for reliability across diverse job sites.

What Equipment Benefits from Outrigger Pads?

Industries That Rely on Outrigger Pads

Any equipment with stabilizing arms needs stabilizer pads for safe, level operation. Without them, companies risk unstable machinery and unsafe job sites.

What Customers Say About Our Outrigger Pads

Chris, a customer from National Powerline A Centuri Company, shared how he loves that we customized the outrigger mats to fit his truck compartments.

Real-World Impact

For years, job sites used plywood, which often failed under pressure. In high-altitude operations, one sinking jack could be disastrous. With Cope Plastics’ outrigger pads for cranes, crews have confidence in their safety, knowing their stabilizers won’t sink unexpectedly.

Advice for Companies Investing in Outrigger Pads

Want to Learn More? Contact Us!

Our Cope team in Arizona is always here to serve the community and the 12-month construction cycle. For more information on Cope Plastics’ high-performance outrigger pads, fill out a request a quote form on the outrigger pad landing page.