Heavy Duty Ground Protection Mats – 60 Tonne

LoadMaster Pro™ heavy duty ground protection mats turn soft, wet or sensitive ground into a firm, safe temporary access road for excavators, dumpers, telehandlers and tractors – laid in minutes, with no groundworks and no ruts left behind.

Made from tough, UV-protected recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and rated to 60 tonnes*, each mat spreads the weight of heavy plant across a wide footprint so wheels and tracks don't sink, slip or tear up the surface. Lay them, work on them, lift them – and reuse them on the next job.

• 60TMax load rating*
• 15 & 20mmThickness options
• 4 sizesStandard to extra heavy
• UK stockDispatched in 1 working day

Why site teams choose LoadMaster Pro

• Carries the heavy stuff – rated to 60 tonnes* for rubber-tracked excavators, dumpers, telehandlers, tractors and delivery vehicles.
• No ruts, no reinstatement – protects lawns, sports pitches, farmland and heritage ground, so you're not paying to put the site back afterwards.
• Grip in all weathers – raised anti-slip tread keeps tyres, tracks and boots gripping in rain, mud and frost.
• Lay by hand – no machine needed – a standard mat is a two-person lift using the moulded handholds around the edge, so a small crew can lay a route fast. Two people can lay and connect around 230 m² in about two hours, depending on the site.
• Builds a continuous trackway – lay mats edge to edge and link them through the handholds with handhold connectors or steel U-pins to create roadways, turning areas and working platforms of any length.
• Outlasts timber bog mats – HDPE won't rot, splinter or soak up water. Hose off, stack and reuse job after job.

Which size do I need?

Use the calculator above to work out quantity. As a rule of thumb, make your trackway wider than the widest machine using it, with a margin either side. Not sure? Tell us the machine and route length and we'll plan the layout for you.

15mm or 20mm?

• 15mm – the go-to for most jobs. Site access, vans, 4x4s, tractors, telehandlers, dumpers and tracked excavators on reasonably firm ground.
• 20mm – maximum stiffness. For the heaviest machines, repeated heavy traffic, and soft, waterlogged or uneven ground where you want the least possible flex.

*Load ratings depend on ground conditions. The maximum rating applies on firm, level ground. On very soft ground choose 20mm, and for crane outrigger set-ups please call us for advice before ordering. Not for steel-tracked machines unless agreed with us in advance. Keep speeds under 5 mph on the mats.

Where they're used

• Construction & groundworks – site roads, haul routes, compounds
• Utilities – pipeline, cable and water main works across fields and verges
• Civil engineering – temporary works and working platforms
• Renewable energy – wind and solar farm access and cable routes
• Tree surgery & landscaping – MEWPs, chippers and stump grinders onto lawns
• Events & venues – vehicle access, production routes, car parks
• Agriculture & equestrian – gateways, feed areas, field access
• Heritage sites & parkland – protecting sensitive turf and landscapes
• Emergency response – rapid access for flood and recovery work

Technical specification

Laying your trackway

1. Prepare the route – clear sharp debris such as rocks and rebar, and fill deep ruts so the mats sit flat.
2. Lay the mats – carry each mat by its handholds and lay the edges close together with no overlaps, leaving a small gap (around 10mm) so the mats can expand in hot weather.
3. Link them – fit handhold connectors or steel U-pins so the trackway can't drift apart under turning machines. Don't overtighten the bolts: the mats need room to expand.
4. Check and go – make sure every mat is flat and secure before plant moves on. Keep turns on tracked machines gradual where possible, and drive at under 5 mph.
5. Lift and reuse – lift, hose down, stack flat and store ready for the next job.

Your questions answered

Will these take a 20-tonne excavator?

Yes, on firm ground. LoadMaster Pro is rated to 60 tonnes, so 13–25 tonne rubber-tracked excavators are within range. On soft or waterlogged ground, choose the 20mm mats and keep turns gradual. For steel-tracked machines, talk to us first.

Do I need a forklift to lay them?

No. A standard 2.4m x 1.2m x 15mm mat weighs around 44 kg, which two people can carry and place by the moulded handholds. The half-size mat weighs 22 kg, and we still recommend a two-person lift. A forklift or telehandler only helps with unloading full stacks.

Will they damage the grass underneath?

They're designed to protect it. The mats spread the load so wheels and tracks don't rut the turf. For installs longer than a week or two on grass, lift and reposition the mats now and then to let light and air back to the lawn.

Are they slippery when wet?

The raised tread grips tyres, tracks and boots in wet and muddy conditions. As with any surface, clear heavy mud and ice build-up for the best grip.

Can I join them together?

Yes. Lay them edge to edge and link them through the handholds with handhold connectors or steel U-pins to form a continuous trackway. Ask our team about the connectors you'll need for your layout.

Do you supply trade, bulk and hire orders?

Yes. We offer trade accounts and credit terms, hire or purchase, and project support including site surveys, trackway layouts and scheduled nationwide delivery.