Project Background
A chemical manufacturing company needed to replace a large production machine inside an existing workshop. The lifting area was surrounded by columns, pipelines, and operating equipment, leaving limited space for a mobile crane to extend its outriggers and position conventional support plates.
The customer had previously used heavy steel plates beneath the crane outriggers. Although the plates provided sufficient support, they were difficult to transport and reposition in the confined workshop. Several workers or additional lifting equipment were required to move them, which increased preparation time and reduced installation efficiency.
Challenges at the Worksite
- The available space was too narrow for large one-piece steel plates.
- Heavy steel plates were difficult to carry and adjust manually.
- Different outrigger positions required different supporting areas.
- The workshop environment was humid, increasing the risk of steel corrosion.
- The customer needed to reduce scratches and pressure damage to the workshop floor.
UHMWPE Outrigger Pad Solution
Based on the crane outrigger dimensions, available working space, and floor conditions, the customer selected a combination of large UHMWPE outrigger pads and smaller modular support pads.
Large pads were placed in open areas to create a broad and stable support surface. In narrow positions near columns, pipelines, and existing machinery, smaller modular pads were arranged according to the available space. This flexible layout allowed the crane operator to support each outrigger without placing oversized steel plates in restricted areas.
Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene was selected because it combines low weight, impact resistance, low moisture absorption, and corrosion resistance. Anti-slip surface patterns can also be machined into the pads to improve contact between the crane outrigger, pad, and workshop floor.
Why UHMWPE Was Used
- Lower weight: Easier to carry, position, and remove than comparable steel plates.
- High impact resistance: Suitable for repeated loading during lifting operations.
- Corrosion resistance: Will not rust in humid workshop environments.
- Low water absorption: Helps maintain stable dimensions during long-term use.
- Floor protection: Reduces direct contact between metal outriggers and finished concrete floors.
- Flexible machining: Available in different sizes, thicknesses, shapes, and modular configurations.
Project Results
After the UHMWPE pads were installed, the crane outriggers were securely supported within the limited working area. The combination of large pads and modular pads distributed the outrigger loads while allowing the layout to be adjusted around existing workshop structures.
Workers could reposition the pads without using a forklift for every adjustment, reducing preparation time before the lifting operation. After the equipment replacement was completed, the pads showed no obvious cracking, and the workshop floor remained free from major scratches or concentrated pressure damage.
Project Summary
Equipment replacement and maintenance projects inside factories often involve restricted access, fixed pipelines, structural columns, and limited crane operating space. UHMWPE outrigger pads provide a practical alternative to heavy steel plates because they are easier to handle and can be produced in full-size, split, or modular designs.
According to the operating conditions of mobile cranes , customized UHMWPE support products can include crane outrigger pads, modular support pads, machinery support blocks, lifting mats, and heavy-equipment load distribution pads.
Overall, this project demonstrates how UHMWPE outrigger pads improve lifting efficiency in confined factory environments. Their lightweight construction, impact resistance, corrosion resistance, and flexible sizing make them a practical alternative to steel plates. They help distribute loads, protect floors, simplify handling, and provide reliable support during equipment installation, replacement, maintenance, and other demanding industrial lifting operations.
