Working with heavy equipment on soft or landscaped ground can be a pain. Not only does it slow down your project, risk getting your equipment stuck in the mud, and add one more thing to worry about, but it can drive up costs if you have to repair those ugly ruts in the ground.
Many construction firms just throw down a plywood path for their equipment to drive over, but others invest in ground protection mats. So which is the right choice for your firm?

Pros and Cons of Plywood for Ground Protection

The main advantage of plywood are pretty straightforward. It’s cheap, lightweight, and readily available. It’s easy to place, move, and pick up when the job’s done. So why are so many companies instead deciding to buy ground protection mats?
While plywood is cheap, those costs disappear the second, third, and fourth time you have to replace it. On the other hand, if you buy sturdy ground mats, you only have to buy them once. Of course, there are a host of other benefits to using ground mats.

Pros and Cons of Ground Protection Mats

Let’s start with safety. Like crane mats, whether they’re wood or steel crane mats, ground mats provide the biggest advantages for workplace safety. They can help stabilize equipment while also providing a non-slip surface for workers to walk on. Plus, they can help prevent heavy equipment from getting stuck in the ground.

The #1 ground mats for sale in 2015 come with a variety of features designed to enhance their effectiveness. Many ground mats now come in a variety of colors and UV-resistant varieties that prevent turf burn. In addition, many ground protection mats come with diamond plate treads (or something similar) that can be included on one, two, or neither side of the mat.
While they are more expensive than plywood, those costs can quickly be recouped after multiple uses. Plus, with the best ground mats you’ll no longer need to pay for expensive rut repair and landscaping work after finishing a job.
Did we miss anything? If you’ve got any more pros and cons of ground mats vs. plywood, let us know in the comments!