Our Services

Mat Hire & Groud Protection Hire

Sherrington Lifting provide Hiab Crane and Equipment hire in Liverpool, Manchester and the North West. Contact us today to find out more about our available cranes and equipment.

Our Approach

At Sherrington Lifting Services, we provide professional mat hire and ground protection hire solutions for construction projects, crane operations, heavy plant access, civil engineering works and temporary access requirements throughout the UK. Our extensive range of ground protection mats, crane mats, outrigger mats, bog mats and load spread systems are designed to improve ground stability, distribute heavy loads safely and protect sensitive surfaces from damage during lifting and construction operations.

Ground conditions are one of the most critical safety considerations on any site. Poor ground stability can lead to equipment sinking, excessive settlement, restricted access and serious safety risks. Our specialist mat hire solutions are specifically selected to provide reliable support for mobile cranes, powered access equipment, heavy plant machinery, tracked vehicles, piling rigs and temporary work platforms, helping clients maintain safe and efficient operations even in difficult ground conditions.

One of the leading systems we supply is ALIMATS, a high-performance modular load spread solution developed for crane support and powered access applications. Manufactured from certified extruded aluminium, ALIMATS® features a patented interlocking design that creates a strong, stable and adaptable working platform while remaining lightweight and easy to handle. The modular system is ideal for projects requiring rapid installation, flexible configurations and high load-bearing performance.

ALIMATS® is available in a range of sizes and configurations for short-term, weekly and long-term hire, with purchase options also available for permanent operational requirements. The system is particularly effective for supporting crane outriggers, access platforms, temporary roadways and heavy lifting operations where ground loading must be carefully controlled. Sherrington Lifting Services provides nationwide delivery of ALIMATS® 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ensuring rapid mobilisation for urgent and planned projects across the UK.

In addition to aluminium load spread systems, we also supply traditional Ekki hardwood crane mats and wooden bog mats, which remain a trusted and widely used solution across the construction and infrastructure sectors. Our 3m x 1m x 70mm Ekki Wooden Mats are manufactured from durable hardwood sections and secured using high tensile steel bolts for maximum strength and durability. These mats are commonly used for temporary access routes, crane support, vehicle tracking and plant movement across unstable terrain such as beaches, soft ground, sand dunes, wetlands and bridge construction sites. Their natural buoyancy also makes them highly effective as raft mats and bog mats in particularly challenging ground conditions.

For heavier lifting operations and larger working platforms, our 5m x 1m x 100mm Ekki Wooden Mats provide enhanced load distribution and ground stabilisation. These heavy-duty crane mats are frequently used to create crane rafts, piling platforms and temporary working areas capable of supporting substantial plant and machinery loads. Installed in multiples, they provide a proven and reliable method of stabilising larger areas while improving operational safety on difficult sites. Sherrington Lifting Services can also provide a full installation service to ensure mats are positioned safely and effectively for the intended application.

We also supply the highly versatile EnviroMat, a durable and user-friendly ground protection mat designed to create safe access routes across a wide variety of surfaces including grass, soil, gravel and hardstanding. Manufactured from 100% recycled compression-moulded plastic, EnviroMat provides a sustainable and hard-wearing solution for temporary roadways, pedestrian walkways, event flooring and construction access routes.

EnviroMat features ergonomic handling points for quick deployment and a reversible tread pattern suitable for both vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Its integrated MicroTraction grip surface helps reduce slip risks in wet or muddy conditions, improving overall site safety. Measuring 2.4m x 1.2m x 12mm and capable of supporting loads up to 80 tonnes, EnviroMat is a practical and cost-effective solution for protecting sensitive ground surfaces while maintaining reliable site access.

At Sherrington Lifting Services, we understand the importance of safe ground conditions in lifting and construction operations. Our experienced team can advise on the most suitable matting and ground protection system for your project, helping to ensure compliance, reduce downtime and improve site safety. Whether you require crane mats, outrigger support, temporary access roads, ground stabilisation or specialist load spread solutions, we provide dependable mat hire services backed by expert knowledge, fast delivery and nationwide coverage.

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When it comes to our specialist crane hire services, we value the importance of thoroughly liaising with each of our customers to ensure that we are able to provide them with tailored solutions, unique to their specific project.

Frequently Asked Questions

All cranes have a maximum design wind speed for safe operation. When the wind speed exceeds this limit the crane must be taken out of service. Different types of crane, different models of the same type of crane and different configurations of the same model may operate with different maximum wind speeds. The operating wind speed for the crane will allow for

the load having a certain wind area; if this is exceeded then the working wind speed will need to be reduced (see the manufacturer’s manual for information on this).

Typical maximum operating wind speeds are:

– Mobile Cranes 9.8 m/s (22 m.p.h.)
– Beaufort Scale 5

Hazards best avoided, where possible, include:

– Overhead electric lines
– Nearby structures
– Other cranes
– Railways
– Public access areas
– Airfields

Where any part of the crane or its load cannot be kept clear of these hazards, the appropriate authority, e.g. a local electricity supplier or Railtrack, must be consulted.

Danger from vaults or underground services must not be overlooked, and suitable precautions must be taken where they cannot be avoided.

Where the crane or its load passes closer than 600mm to an obstacle, effective precautions must be taken to avoid crushing, by preventing personnel accessing the area.

Where a crane is to be used within 15 metres plus the length of its jib, from overhead power lines on steel towers, (or 9 metres plus the length of the jib, from overhead lines on wood, concrete or steel poles) the guidance given in HSE Guidance Note GS6 must be followed.

Where a crane will work close to railway property (i.e. if it fell over and any part of it, or any load being lifted by it, could fall on railway property), consult the railway property owner and CPES.

If the crane is within 6 km of an airfield, and its height exceeds 10 m or that of the surrounding structures or trees, then the Appointed Person should seek the permission of the airfield manager before starting operations.

Cranes have very high axel weights, and need good solid ground the same as a lorry would need. You will also need to make sure there are no sharp objects in the path of the crane when gaining access to the site.