Options for ground/garden protection?

[CPS]

Hi all

Any options for ground guards or protection to work in a garden. Have a few hedges to cut and don't want to mark the ground. Was hoping to have done in the good weather but didn't want to disturb the wee birdys

Have seen Cow mats, 8 x 4 at £36 each, bit pricey but would do a good job.
Don't fancy ply wood as i think it will crack and break etc?

Maybe some old conveyor belting?

Any other thoughts or opinions?

Thanks
Aiden

 

[mart1602]

scaffolding planks can hire if you dont want to buy

 

[Grahams]

We use 8x4 polythene mats (see photo). Much better than ply and basically last for ever if looked after. The only issue I've ever had is you can split them if it is very cold and they are over a hard edge like a curb.
Didn't fancy paying full price so kept an eye out on ebay and got them cheap.
You can also hire then for reasonable money.
Graham

 

[Gunners]

I buy old hoarding ply from sites. It can be a bit rotten or sometimes nearly brand new but take the rough with the smooth as otherwise they are throwing it away. Bit of cash to site manager and forky sees you get the better stuff. It does crack a bit but holds together just fine for at least a couple of years especially if you keep it dry when not using them. Those track matts Graham has are the ultimate but you don't want to be buying them new!

 

[Smiffy]

If you want something that will last a bit longer stock board should be slightly cheaper than cow mats and is very good for moving machines over

 

[Grahams]

Just had a quick look on ebay, these are reasonably priced.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trakmats...604745?hash=item3fa9605e49:g:zd0AAOSwmBdbgBRo
Graham

 

[Monkeybusiness]

I’d second stokboard. You shouldn’t need it too thick if you are running on flat ground.

 

[CPS]

Thanks for the replies guys

The Stokboard is what I had thought of first. But the price was more than the cow mats which is what led me to them.

I guess if I bought the right thing I could hire them out locally or sell when finished with?

 

[Smiffy]

Thanks for the replies guys

The Stokboard is what I had thought of first. But the price was more than the cow mats which is what led me to them.

I guess if I bought the right thing I could hire them out locally or sell when finished with?

Shop around for stockboard you should be able to get it cheaper than cow matts have you tried local agricultural coop groups sometimes a year membership to one can easily save you enough to cover it

 

[CPS]

Should also add that it will be a 3 ton digger il be using, something about 6 ft wide would be great!

 

[CPS]

Shop around for stockboard you should be able to get it cheaper than cow matts have you tried local agricultural coop groups sometimes a year membership to one can easily save you enough to cover it

Ok Thanks for that, It was the first place I tried, il shop around

 

[Mogman]

Just had a quick look on ebay, these are reasonably priced.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trakmats...604745?hash=item3fa9605e49:g:zd0AAOSwmBdbgBRo
Graham

Would have a go at these but the wrong side of the country for me

 

[V8Druid]

Just had a quick look on ebay, these are reasonably priced.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trakmats...604745?hash=item3fa9605e49:g:zd0AAOSwmBdbgBRo
Graham

Would have a go at these but the wrong side of the country for me

also these on there too ... like the double sided idea ... Bedford though Mog
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/35-Heavy...m=232905245294&_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982

 

[Mick Procter]

The plastic ones work really well, this was on a wet verge and left no evidence apart from flat grass

 

[Mick Procter]

 

[V8Druid]

View attachment 610

The plastic ones work really well, this was on a wet verge and left no evidence apart from flat grass

what's she weigh Mick? 11tonne?
you must've read my mind, as I was wondering how they'd stand a duck on 'em .... got me thinking now mate bet they'm a bit slick on a slope or wet ??
Be bloody handy though

 

[Monkeybusiness]

I ‘surfed’ a 13 tonne CAT down a seriously wet bank on 5x1m timber bogmats once - that wasn’t my best day at work tbh... Nightmare getting it back out, no other mats within reach by the time I managed to get it to stop!

 

[JD450A]

18mm ply, lasts 2-3 years providing you store it upright with batton between sheets to allow it to dry. I've taken the 7t across lawns before no issues with cracking provided you use your brain when placing it out.

 

[Mick Procter]

what's she weigh Mick? 11tonne?
you must've read my mind, as I was wondering how they'd stand a duck on 'em .... got me thinking now mate bet they'm a bit slick on a slope or wet ??
Be bloody handy though

It's just short of 11tonnes, and I've used them in the past with a 3CX all the same results.
We also did a crossing through some fields, with the plastic mats leading from the road to the start of the job, about 50 metres. The 8 wheeler grab wagon went on that with no issues. when we lifted the mats 3 months later, the grass was yellow and white but intact.

 

[Grahams]

bet they'm a bit slick on a slope or wet ??

They are okay on modest slopes as having tread both sides the bottom treads grip the grass, unlike ply.
Another plus is they don't absorb water so don't gain weight massively when wet.
I would say anyone who does the sort of work that needs ground protection and they are intending to be in business long term would do well to invest in some poly ones. They do the job and look professional. Also you don't have the problem I experienced when using ply that the health and safety man stops the job because they are a slip hazard when muddy as don't have built in grip, which is actually true, the were as slippery as f***.
Graham