The excavator mat (also called crane mat, load distribution plate, or access plate) distributes the weight of heavy construction machinery over a larger area and prevents sinking into soft subsoil. Typical materials are HDPE plastic, tropical hardwoods (Azobé, Bongossi), or steel, with dimensions ranging from 1×2 to 3×6 meters.
For mobile cranes, support plates under the support cylinders are even safety-critical: Without adequate load distribution, the crane can sink unevenly on one side and tip over. The required plate size is determined by the support load and allowable ground pressure — on soft ground (0.5 kg/cm²), plates must be significantly larger than on gravel (3 kg/cm²).
Plastic access plates have become established in road construction and landscape engineering: They protect lawns and paving from track marks and can be quickly deployed and removed by excavator. Manufacturers such as Leister, MEVA, and Dura offer modular systems with connecting elements.