The construction process of these mats allows for versatility as different size, length and quantity of timbers can be used to make different dimension mats. Most crane mat manufacturers are in the Western states and provinces. Repurposing a Crane mat with cable loops allows them to be relocated on site by client-owned equipment, allowing a client to minimize the number of mats they require. This repurposing transforms a Crane mat into a Digging mat. Logging mats are Crane mats with a reinforced slot which allows knuckle boom loaders or skid-steer loaders to move the mats with ease. Oilfield Mat Combos are heavy-duty steel frame mats designed to provide spill containment and platform matting. Construction materials Depending on purpose, mats may be constructed of any of the following materials: Wood Wood is the most commonly used matting material used. Wooden mats range widely in cost, depending on the type of wood used, and may be constructed of: Hardwood: hardwood is an imprecise term used in the matting industry, though it generally refers to any wood with a Janka Hardness Test rating at or above red oak. Oak Fir Hybrid or SPF: in essence is a Fir mat with outside edge boards made of Oak. Oak boards are there to mitigate outer edge damages from the grapple used to place mats, as oak is much harder than fir. These mats are also low-cost, primarily used for leveling under drilling rigs, camps and tank farms. Spruce: spruce is often used as a “throw away” (one-time use) mat. It’s an inexpensive material with low load bearing capacity, durability and lifespan compared to fir and hardwood access mats. Bamboo: bamboo mats are a composite of glue-laminated bamboo strips, offering higher tensile strength than steel. Composite composite mats are constructed of multiple materials, to improve the strength or durability of the mat. They can be more expensive upfront, but as they have a much longer lifespan than wooden mats they can be more cost-efficient. Higher quality versions of the composite mat will include anti-static and/or UV protection additives to prevent the formation of sparks from static electricity and to prevent cracking, physical breakdown & fading of the mat. Composite mats feature a variety of connection mechanisms, from complicated systems that use small parts and specialized tools to large aluminum cam lock systems. Composite mats range in size from 4’ x 4’ to 8’ x 14’. It