How to Choose Site Mats by Soil Type and Equipment Load
Choosing the right composite mats protects the ground, keeps crews safe, and keeps projects on schedule. Conditions shift from dry sand to sticky clay within a single corridor. Each soil type supports weight differently, so your mat plan must match soil behavior, moisture, and expected axle loads.
Start With the Ground You Have
Confirm the dominant soil type across the access route and work pads. Sandy soils drain fast and shear under turning forces. Clays hold water and pump under repeated loads. Silts behave unpredictably when saturated. In wetlands or tidal areas, bearing capacity changes with weather and season. Map these zones before you set a single panel.
Match Mat Rating to Equipment
Heavy tracked excavators, lattice cranes, and loaded haul trucks demand high-density composite mats with proven interlocks and high bending strength. Medium-duty gear like pickups, UTVs, and light lifts can use thinner profiles that still spread loads. Always cross-check machine weight, ground pressure, and turning radius against the mat data sheet.
Quick Pairing Guide
Dry sand: aggressive tread surfaces that resist lateral shear, medium to heavy-duty panels for turning areas.
Wet sand or silty sand: heavy-duty panels with close interlocks to limit pumping and edge roll.
Firm clay: medium to heavy-duty panels, traction surface to prevent slick starts and stops.
Saturated clay or silt: heavy-duty panels plus thicker pad build, stagger seams under crane outriggers.
Organic or peat soils: continuous coverage with heavy-duty mats, minimize point loads, and avoid sudden turns.
Control Moisture and Deflection
Standing water and thaw cycles reduce support dramatically. Add geotextile separators or a drainage plan where pumping is visible. Watch for deflection near seams. If tires cut, double up panels at haul road entrances, tight corners, and laydown pads. Train spotters to pause traffic when uplift or bridging appears.
Safety and Environmental Gains
Composite panels do not absorb water and clean easily between sites. Crews track less mud onto public roads and reduce cross-site contamination. Ground cover limits rut depth, keeps root systems intact, and protects wetlands during temporary access.
Cost Efficiency That Lasts
Upfront price is only one part of the equation. Reusable panels reduce remediation, towing, and lost hours. Durable interlocks shorten installation and reduce rework when the weather turns. A reliable mat supplier can review route geometry, axle weights, and pad needs to right-size your inventory.
Verify With Trusted References
The USDA NRCS soil resources explain how texture and moisture affect bearing capacity and rutting risk. Use these guides when planning haul roads and pads to reduce failures and restoration costs. See the overview at the NRCS Web Soil Survey (external).
Final Field Check
Before mobilization, walk the route, measure soft spots, and confirm turning radii. Update the mat plan when weather shifts or loads increase. Small adjustments in coverage now prevent big repairs later. The key consideration will be to determine how mats are deployed in view of the current weather and terrain conditions.