If you operate cranes or heavy plant in the UK, outrigger pads are not optional. They are a legal and operational requirement on any lift where the ground cannot be confirmed as fully capable of bearing the imposed load. Get the specification wrong and you are putting your equipment, your team and your liability on the line.
What Are Outrigger Pads and What Do They Do?
An outrigger pad sits between the outrigger foot of a crane or piece of plant and the ground surface. Its job is to spread the concentrated point load from the outrigger across a wider area of ground so that the pressure stays within the ground's bearing capacity. Without a pad, even moderate loads on ordinary ground can cause settlement or sudden failure.
The material is almost always UHMW-PE for modern pads. Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene is the same family of material used in industrial wear liners and dock fenders. It is rigid enough to distribute load, light enough to handle on site, and resistant to water, oil, chemicals and freezing temperatures.
What the Law Requires
LOLER 1998 requires that lifting equipment is installed or positioned in such a way as to reduce the risk of injury. PUWER requires equipment to be suitable for the purpose and used safely. BS 7121 covers safe use of cranes including ground conditions and load spread. IPAF guidance makes it clear that spreader pads should be used with all boom type MEWPs. There is no legal shortcut here. Pads are a requirement, not an option.
Choosing the Right Pad — The Three Factors
Load Capacity
The pad's rated load in tonnes must meet or exceed the maximum outrigger reaction force for your lift configuration. Check your crane duty chart.
Bearing Area
The pad must spread the load across enough ground area to keep ground pressure within the bearing capacity of your ground type. Under-sized pads are as dangerous as no pads.
Material and Durability
UHMW-PE maintains its rated capacity across its service life. It does not absorb water, rot, split or lose structural integrity like timber.
Understanding Ground Bearing Capacity
Ground bearing capacity is the maximum load per unit area the ground can carry without failing. It varies enormously by surface type. Concrete and tarmac can support 400 kN/m². Soft clay or topsoil may only handle 75 kN/m². A pad that works on a concrete yard may be dangerously undersized on a grass verge.
Free Tool
Ground Bearing Calculator
Not sure if your pad is adequate? Check it against your specific ground conditions.
Which Range Do You Need?
Premium Range →
For mobile cranes, concrete pumps and larger truck-mounted cranes. Square, round and modular options from 400mm to 1800mm, with manufacturer-listed ratings up to 140 tonnes.
Essential Range →
For MEWPs, scissorlifts, HIABs and light plant. Same UHMW-PE material, sized and priced for lighter duty applications. From 300mm to 600mm.
Hi-Viz Range →
High visibility yellow pads for public areas, pedestrian zones, roadworks and car parks. Where being seen matters as much as the load spread.
New Site? What to Order
For a plant hire fleet running mixed equipment, a practical starting point is a set of 500×500×40mm Essential pads for MEWPs and HIABs, and a set of 1000×1000×60mm square pads for mobile cranes. Add the 1200mm pads or modular mats for heavier work. Use the Pad Size Calculator to confirm before ordering, or browse our full outrigger pads UK range, all in stock for next day delivery.
Free Tool
Pad Size Calculator
Enter your machine type, load and ground conditions to get a direct pad recommendation from the CPS range.
Trade Accounts and Fleet Supply
If you are buying pads for a fleet, call us. We offer trade pricing, consistent spec across repeat orders, and can advise on the right pad set for your machine mix. No minimum order. Most UK addresses are reached next day from our UK stock.
Ready to Order?
UK stock. No minimum order. Most addresses reached next day. Call us for trade pricing or order online.
