Outrigger Pads

[TreeDimensional]

Anyone know who manufactures or retails aluminum outrigger pads?

 

[lumberjack]

Cast or plate or?

If noone else suits you, I can get you a price on having some cut out on a plasma table.

 

[SkwerI]

No, but I've been making my own for several years. Mine are 24"x24" because that's how big the storage slots are on the sides of my truck. I started with four 2x12 lumber cut 2' long and nailed together but they weren't holding up very long. About 2 years ago I began making them out of plywood and they have held up much better. To make two pads I use one sheet of plywood (either 5/8" or pressure treated 1/2"), construction adhesive, fence/deck stain (to seal the plywood before assembly), some deck screws and a piece of scrap tubular webbing for the handle.

Cut your plywood squares and paint them, especially the edges.
Glue them and stack them. I notch one of the inside squares so I can insert the knotted ends of the handle strap during assembly. The handles will never come out.
Clamp them together tightly. Run some deck screws in them to help hold them together. Grind off the ends of the screws if they poke through the bottom.
The next day unclamp them and they are good to go. I'm getting about a year and a half to two years out of them.

 

[SkwerI]

Or you can search Google. Here's the first aluminum one I saw.
http://compare.ebay.com/like/310234...fdddf2c&itemid=310234720185&ff4=263602_304662

 

[TreeDimensional]

I would like a set of cast ones for the Boom truck (only 9 ton boom capacity on a 8000 Ford tandem) and a set for the bucket truck (34,000 lbs gross). I have no idea how large they should be, but imagine they are rated for the max capacity and application.

I have used 2X8 to make 24X24" and they get beat quickly. I see a lot of companies use plywood, stacked and screwed. But they would be heavy, Our crane guy has 3 ft square cast aluminum for his 38 ton Manitex cranes. I haven't noticed who made 'em. I imagine they cost a small fortune.

I haven't seen any used ones on the one crane site I look at!

I guess Brian types quicker than I do!

 

[SkwerI]

The plywood ones I'm making are lighter than the 2x8 and 2x12 ones I made in the past. They hold up much better as well. I think the big difference is sealing them and then gluing them together with construction adhesive. It keeps the moisture out so they don't rot. I gave up on the lumber ones because they were too heavy and fell apart too quickly.

If you want to spend money and save weight, look at the ones made from Alturna Mat or similar material.

 

[lumberjack]

What kind of foot is on the outrigger?

 

[TreeDimensional]

A steel plate with a leveling pin in the middle.

 

[Al Smith]

Now far be it for me to tell anybody anything but just a little tip on two of the best pads I ever saw .One ,pads made out of pressure treated cross arms from power poles which last forever and two ,made from cotton wood .

Cotton wood is considerd to be junk but doesn't split,is light and free .2 and a half inches thick should do the job, maybe 3 .Stick them together with DA bolts [double arm bolts ] or all thread .

 

[NeTree]

I'd go plate aluminum before cast aluminum.

 

[TreeDimensional]

Al, I have all the raw material for what you describe. With the mill I can cut pretty well any size I am thinkin' 3"X4" for a 24X24" pad. Just thought aluminum would be a "once and done" thing!

 

[lumberjack]

Yeah, I'd go with 6061 T6 Aluminum and fabricate the pad to have a pocket to fit your outrigger's foot.

 

[NeTree]

Yup.

 

[TreeDimensional]

How thick a plate would I need?

 

[NeTree]

13mm should be plenty adequate.

 

[Al Smith]

That would be a half inch plus an RCH for those not metrically inclned .

 

[TreeDimensional]

Thats OK Al I work in both measuring systems and John isn't on here tonight!

 

[Newfie]

I like these heavy duty rubber ones.

http://www.awdirect.com/rubber-outrigger-pad-18quotw-x-18quotl-op18x18r/heavy-duty-towing/

 

[NeTree]

RCH...

 

[Al Smith]

Al, I have all the raw material for what you describe. With the mill I can cut pretty well any size I am thinkin' 3"X4" for a 24X24" pad. Just thought aluminum would be a "once and done" thing!

Well of course but if you have the wood you can cut it with a chainsaw .I don't know your situation only what I've done .On that though wood will last quite a long time.Tie a rope teather to it so as to pull it out of the mud .

You know it's an option , wood will be more forgiving on asphualt where as metal will not be .It goes on and on . They make pads out of recycled tires that work well but the price exceeds what the tires cost new plus they weigh a ton .

 

[TreeDimensional]

Erik, is that where you get your shirts? If you click the ANSI box, they have hi-vis apparel in your favorite color!!!!

 

[lumberjack]

Material thickness is a function of the structure. Half inch would be fine with stiffeners, but would fold under weight on a soft supporting surface. Do you have provisions to weld aluminium? Any idea of bearing pressures of the average surface? (Mud vs Concrete, for example)

 

[TreeDimensional]

We work on clay soil, sandy soil, asphalt, and cement. That is why I want at least 24X24. The ones our crane dude uses are cast Alum and to my knowledge he hasn't broke one yet! They are like the ones in the link Brian put up, but 3'X3'X3".

 

[MasterBlaster]

http://www.awdirect.com/rubber-outrigger-pad-18quotw-x-18quotl-op18x18r/heavy-duty-towing/

Dang, 18" x 18" sure is small!

 

[woodworkingboy]

Aluminum plate around an inch thick used here by the crane guy, and with sandbags and pressure treated 4x4s he has it covered for any location. What would be the purposefulness of a pocket?