The Challenge: Heavy Lifting on Sacred Turf

Emerald Headingley Stadium in Leeds is a treasured venue for both cricket and rugby. Following the construction of two new grandstands, the next step was to install seating using a 35 tonne GVW crane with a 90 tonne lifting capacity.
The main concern was how to support this heavy machinery without causing damage to the carefully maintained stadium turf. The solution needed to be cost effective, reliable, and quick to install.

The GroundGuards Solution: MaxiTrack Ground Protection

Having previously used MaxiTrack on site, the contractor was confident in its performance and invited GroundGuards back to assist with the setup.

MaxiTrack mats are ideal for crane access. Each mat weighs just 40 kilograms, making it easy for two people to lift and install by hand. Despite being lightweight, they are guaranteed not to break under vehicles up to 130 tonnes, providing robust support for heavy equipment.

A firm working platform was quickly laid to support the crane. As the crane moved position during the project, the mats were lifted and reused to create safe access across the pitch where needed.

Results and Outcome: A Clean and Successful Lift

A total of 312 MaxiTrack mats were hired for one week. The crane completed its lifting operations successfully, and the turf remained undamaged throughout the process.
Thanks to MaxiTrack, the team avoided expensive remediation work and delivered the seating installation on schedule. The client was pleased with the result and appreciated the ease and speed of using a reusable ground protection system.

Contact Us for Crane Access Solutions

If you need to support cranes or other heavy machinery without risking ground damage, GroundGuards can help. Our team offers expert advice and proven products to keep your site stable and safe.