Medium-Duty Ground Protection Mats

Drive, dig and deliver across grass without leaving a mark. TurfShield Plus 8ft x 4ft ground protection mats spread the weight of vehicles, machinery and foot traffic, so lawns, sports pitches and soft ground stay intact while the work goes on. Lay them by hand, lift them when the job's done, and use them again on the next one.

• No ruts, no returfing. Mats spread the load so tyres and tracks don't sink, churn or compact the ground underneath. Lift them and the lawn is as you left it.
• Grip on top, gentle underneath. A diamond tread gives wheels and boots traction in wet, muddy conditions. The smooth underside sits kindly on grass, paving and driveways.
• Two people, no machinery. A full-size 12mm mat weighs about 34kg and has built-in handholes at each end, so it's an easy two-person lift.
• Follows the ground. The mats flex over dips, slopes and uneven lawns instead of rocking or bridging, so the load stays spread.
• Joins into a continuous track. Connection holes in every corner take heavy-duty cable ties or our 2-way and 4-way mat connectors.
• Built for outdoor work. Weather-, UV- and chemical-resistant, and impermeable to oil and fuel. They won't rot, splinter or soak up water like timber boards. Hose them off, stack them flat and they're ready for the next job.
• Made from 100% recycled polyethylene, fully recyclable at the end of their life, and load-tested and certified for use in the UK and EU.

Which thickness do I need?

All three thicknesses carry a similar load rating, but thicker mats are stiffer: they spread heavy loads better on soft ground and stand up better to regular vehicle traffic. Choose by the heaviest traffic the mats will carry. If you're not sure, choose 12mm.

12mm mats are rated to 15 tonnes and tested to 20 tonnes; 8mm and 6mm mats are rated 15–20 tonnes. What a mat can carry on the day depends on the ground underneath, so for very soft or waterlogged ground, or anything heavier, call us first. Not suitable for steel-tracked machinery, crane outriggers or other concentrated point loads.

Half-size 12mm mats (2.45m x 0.6m) are the same specification in a narrower panel. Use them for garden paths and gateways, to fill gaps, or to finish a run neatly.

How many mats do I need?

For open areas, use the calculator above. For a route, it depends which way you lay the mats:

Figures are for full-size 12mm mats (2.45m x 1.23m), rounded up. 8mm and 6mm mats are 2.4m x 1.2m: the counts are the same, except a 50m vehicle track needs 42. For turning areas, passing places or parking, call us and we'll work out a layout with you.

Don't forget connectors. For vehicle routes, join your mats with our 2-way and 4-way connectors (bolts and washers included). A single line of mats needs two 2-way connectors per joint, so 16 for a 9-mat track.

Where they're used

Specifications

Laying tips from our team

1. Clear the route of stones, branches and debris so every mat sits flat.
2. Lay grip side up. For vehicles, lay the mats across the route so the 2.45m length spans both sets of wheels, and lay each mat close to the next. In hot weather, leave a small gap so the mats can expand.
3. Connect them for vehicle traffic. Join mats through the corner holes with 2-way or 4-way connectors so they can't creep apart when vehicles brake or turn. Don't overtighten connector bolts.
4. Take it steady. Drive at walking pace, avoid sharp turns on the mats and don't spin the wheels.
5. Move them on lawns. In warm weather, lift or shift mats every 7–10 days so the grass underneath doesn't yellow. It recovers quickly once the mats are lifted.

Planning a bigger job?

Tell us the route, the ground and what's driving on it, and we'll recommend the right thickness, quantity and layout. Call 01282 270214 (Mon–Fri, 8:30am–5pm) or email sales@grassmatsco.co.uk.