Eucalyptus Crane Mats For Wind Farm Heavy Lift Projects
Eucalyptus Crane Mats For Wind Project Installation – was revised on January 14, 2026
- Eucalyptus crane mats provide stronger support than mixed hardwood, reducing the number of mats needed for heavy lifts.
- Single-layer eucalyptus mat systems can replace double-layer mixed hardwood setups while meeting ground-bearing requirements.
- Wind farm contractors save on material costs, freight, and labor by using fewer, stronger eucalyptus mats for crane support.
This article is based on “Mighty Mats,” originally published in Crane Hot Line magazine in January 2020. The original article featured World Forest Group’s eucalyptus crane mats on a Texas wind farm project.
Original article: http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/2f37a9e8#/2f37a9e8/28
When a Texas wind farm contractor needed crane support for a 440-ton Manitowoc 16000 lattice boom crawler, they discovered that eucalyptus crane mats for wind farm projects offered a stronger, more cost-effective solution than the double-layer mixed hardwood mats they had been using. Fewer mats, better performance, and lower total cost made the switch clear.
The Challenge: Heavy Crane Support For Wind Turbine Lift
Wind turbine erection places extreme demands on crane mat systems. The contractor typically used a 440-ton capacity Manitowoc 16000 crawler crane equipped with a 292-foot boom to lift turbine towers, nacelles, and blades across multiple wind farm sites.
Their standard approach required approximately 500 mats per lifting pad setup:
- 250 mats (16′ x 12′ x 48″) for the heavy-lift pad
- 250 mats for the crane walkway leading to the pad
- Two layers of 12-inch mixed hardwood mats to meet ground-bearing requirements for the lift pad
- One layer for the walkway where loads were lighter
This setup worked, but it created logistical challenges. More mats meant more truck moves, more handling, and higher mobilization costs on every job.
Why Eucalyptus Crane Mats For Wind Project Installation Changed The Equation
World Forest Group proposed a simpler solution: eucalyptus crane mats that could meet or exceed ground-bearing requirements with a single layer instead of two.
Eucalyptus hardwood offers significantly higher mechanical properties than typical mixed hardwood species. According to the Mobile Crane Support Handbook by crane expert David Duerr PE, eucalyptus wood delivers:
- Bending strength (Fb): 2,000 psi
- Parallel-to-grain shear strength (Fv): 265 psi
- Perpendicular-to-grain compression strength (Fc perpendicular): 970 psi
- Modulus of elasticity (MOE): 1,300,000 psi
These performance characteristics translate directly into real-world advantages. Stronger mats carry more load per square foot, which means contractors can use fewer mats to achieve the same or better ground-bearing capacity.
One Layer Does The Work Of Two
The contractor’s engineers calculated that one layer of 16′ x 12′ x 48″ eucalyptus mats provided the ground-bearing strength they needed for the heavy-lift pad. That single layer matched or exceeded the performance of two layers of 12-inch mixed hardwood mats.
The result was immediate cost savings:
- Fewer mats to purchase or rent
- Reduced freight costs to move mats to and from the site
- Less handling and labor for mat placement and removal
- Faster setup and teardown on every turbine pad
For the crane walk, where loads were lighter, the contractor continued using one layer of mats as before. However, the walking mats could also be eucalyptus, offering better durability and longer life than mixed hardwood alternatives.
Material Strength Drives Performance And Cost Savings
The strength advantage of eucalyptus over mixed hardwood is well documented. Mixed hardwood crane mats typically use mixed hardwoods with variable strength properties depending on species mix, grade, and age.
Eucalyptus, by contrast, comes from managed plantation timber with uniform density and consistent mechanical properties. That uniformity allows engineers to design mat systems with confidence, knowing that every mat in the load will perform as specified.
World Forest Group’s custom 16′ x 12′ x 48″ eucalyptus mat design included:
- Real 12-inch thickness for compatibility with existing systems
- Lifting notch on one end for easier handling
- Through-bolted construction with heavy-duty hardware
- Precision manufacturing to ensure dimensional consistency
This design approach gave the wind farm contractor a drop-in replacement for their existing mixed hardwood mats, with no changes required to their crane setup or operational procedures.
Benefits Beyond The Lift
Using eucalyptus crane mats for wind farm projects delivers advantages that extend well beyond the immediate cost of the mats themselves. Fewer mats in the system means:
- Lower freight bills on every mobilization and demobilization
- Less time spent on mat placement and removal, which speeds project timelines
- Reduced wear and tear on trucks and handling equipment
- Simplified logistics and planning for multi-site wind farm projects
For contractors working across multiple wind farms, these savings compound quickly. A single-layer eucalyptus mat system that replaces a double-layer mixed hardwood system can cut mat-related costs by 50 percent or more over the life of a project.
Additionally, eucalyptus mats typically last longer than mixed hardwood mats in heavy-use environments. Stronger wood resists crushing, splitting, and bolt pull-through, which extends useful mat life and reduces replacement frequency.
Eucalyptus Crane Mat Specifications For Wind Project Installation
World Forest Group manufactures eucalyptus crane mats to meet the demanding requirements of wind farm heavy lift operations. Typical specifications include:
- Dimensions: 16′ x 12′ x 48″ (custom sizes available)
- Material: Plantation-grown eucalyptus hardwood
- Hardware: Through-bolted with heavy-duty steel rods and recessed nuts
- Lifting features: Optional lifting notches or bolts for easier handling
- Finish: End-sealed and truss-plated ends to resist uneven drying and extend life
These mats are engineered to perform in the toughest conditions, from soft ground to high-load crane support. For contractors who need reliable performance and lower total cost of ownership, eucalyptus crane mats offer a proven solution for wind energy construction.
Real-World Performance In Texas Wind Farms
The Texas wind farm project highlighted in Crane Hot Line magazine demonstrated the practical advantages of eucalyptus crane mats in real-world heavy lift operations. The contractor successfully completed multiple turbine installations using the single-layer eucalyptus mat system, with no ground bearing failures or mat damage.
Key outcomes included:
- Reduced mat count per lifting pad (approximately 50 percent fewer mats for the heavy-lift pad)
- Faster setup and teardown times
- Lower freight and handling costs across the project
- High contractor satisfaction with mat performance and durability
These results have been repeated on wind farm projects across the United States, as more contractors discover the benefits of stronger, more efficient crane mat systems.
Choosing The Right Crane Mats For Your Wind Farm Project
When evaluating crane mat options for wind turbine erection, contractors should consider:
- Ground-bearing requirements based on crane weight, load, and soil conditions
- Mat strength properties (bending, shear, compression, and stiffness)
- Total system cost, including mat purchase or rental, freight, handling, and labor
- Expected mat life and replacement frequency
Eucalyptus crane mats for wind farm projects excel in all these areas. Higher strength allows fewer mats to meet ground-bearing requirements, which reduces total system cost and simplifies logistics.
For more information on eucalyptus crane mat specifications and applications, visit the essentials page.
Get Started With Eucalyptus Crane Mats For Your Next Wind Farm Project
If you’re planning a wind farm project and want to reduce crane mat costs while improving performance, consider eucalyptus crane mats as a stronger, more cost-effective alternative to traditional mixed hardwood.
To request a quote or discuss your crane support requirements, contact World Forest Group at or get pricing and delivery information for your next project.