How to Protect Grass, Soil and Lawns from Heavy Equipment Damage
Why Ground Protection Matters? Grassed areas and soft soil don’t recover easily from machinery tracks. A single day of heavy traffic can cause lasting damage that takes weeks or months to fix. For sites that need to look professional or remain usable—like golf courses, parks, or public venues—this kind of damage creates avoidable delays and cost.
Machinery used for landscaping, grave digging, or construction isn’t light. Skid steers, diggers, trucks and cranes all place a significant load on the ground, which presses down and cuts into the surface below. Without a physical barrier, turf can be scalped, ruts can form, and soil structure can collapse.
What Happens When Ground Isn’t Protected?
Leaving the ground exposed during machinery use increases the risk of:
- Soil Compaction: The weight of vehicles presses the air out of soil, reducing its ability to absorb water or support plant life.
- Permanent Track Marks: Tyres and tracks leave deep impressions that don’t naturally disappear.
- Scorched Turf: Heat from engines and sun reflection can bake grass beneath stationary vehicles.
- Drainage Problems: Flattened or uneven ground redirects water in the wrong direction, causing pooling or erosion.
- Repair Costs: Damaged turf often needs replacing, reseeding or regrading, all of which cost time and money.
These effects aren’t just cosmetic. They impact long-term use of the area and create safety hazards for pedestrians and workers.
When and Where to Use Ground Protection Mats
Ground protection mats are widely used across industries that rely on heavy equipment. Key scenarios include:
- Moving excavators across a newly turfed site
- Allowing crane access over soft soil
- Protecting fairways on a golf course
- Conducting cemetery work without damaging lawns
- Creating temporary driveways during event setup
- Providing stable access in wet or sandy locations
In each case, mats prevent direct contact between machinery and the surface. They also improve traction and keep mud, turf and debris off the tyres.
Features to Look For in Ground Protection Mats
Not all mats offer the same quality. Below are the core features that matter:
| Feature | Why It Matters |
| High Load Capacity | Supports trucks, loaders, and cranes without cracking |
| Dual-Sided Tread | Improves grip in dry, wet, or loose ground conditions |
| Handles or Lifting Holes | Speeds up setup and repositioning |
| Pin Holes on Corners | Anchors mats on slopes or soft surfaces |
| UV Resistance | Prevents brittleness under long-term sun exposure |
| Insulating Material | Protects turf from heat damage underneath |
Heavy-duty polyethylene is the standard material for most high-performance track mats. Cheaper alternatives often warp or crack after limited use.
What Sets Matshop’s Ground Protection Mats Apart
Matshop’s mats are engineered for practical field use. Every detail supports safer handling, better protection, and longer product life.
- Ergonomic Handles: Built-in handles on both sides allow for easier two-person lifting and placement, improving safety during transport and setup.
- Reinforced Corners with Pin Holes: Each mat includes corner holes designed for secure ground anchoring or lifting via crane when needed.
- Material Strength: The high-density polyethylene construction is rated for use with both rubber and metal tracks. It supports everything from mini-loaders to semi-trailers.
- Tread Pattern: Both surfaces have a purpose-built tread design that delivers traction in wet, dry, and uneven environments. The design also reduces slippage and tyre spin, even on sloped terrain.
- UV Protection: Designed to remain stable and flexible under extended sun exposure—no cracking, peeling or fading.
These mats are used across mining, events, civil works, and municipal operations for one reason: they perform under pressure.
Choosing the Right Size for Your Project
Not every task needs the biggest mat. Selecting the right size improves handling, saves costs, and meets the specific site need. Use the chart below to guide your selection.
Mat Size Guide
| Size (mm) | Common Use Case | Suitable Vehicles |
| 600 x 2400 | Tight access areas, backyard work | Skid steers, small excavators |
| 900 x 2400 | Moderate width paths or driveways | Excavators, small trucks |
| 1200 x 2400 | General-purpose for wide equipment | B-double trucks, cranes, large loaders |
The largest size can also be laid in a crisscross pattern to distribute weight across multiple contact points. This helps on soft or uneven ground.
Tips for Using Ground Mats Effectively
To get the best results and extend the life of the mats, follow these practices:
- Plan the Route: Map out traffic zones and turning areas before equipment moves in.
- Overlap Edges for Stability: Slightly overlapping the mats increases load spread and stability.
- Anchor When Needed: Use pins or stakes to prevent mat shifting on inclines or loose ground.
- lean After Use: Remove soil buildup and check for damage after each job to avoid long-term wear.
- Store Flat: Keep mats in a flat, dry stack to prevent warping.
These small habits reduce replacement costs and improve site safety.
Final Thoughts: Why Ground Protection Pays Off
Using protection mats on soft surfaces isn't just about aesthetics. It prevents delays, keeps machinery stable, and protects sensitive environments. Damage to turf or soil adds cost, extends downtime, and reflects poorly on site management. One investment in durable matting can prevent dozens of repair jobs later.
Need Help Choosing the Right Ground Protection Mat?
Speak with a Matshop matxpert for tailored advice on which mat suits your project best.
Browse the full ground protection mat range or call 1300 628 746 to speak with our team.
Do you have a project or task to move heavy machinery across a delicate surface such as a newly turfed lawn? Do you need to get a vehicle to the other side of your golf course? Or perhaps you are digging graves at a cemetery and you could potentially cause damage to the surrounding grassed area? When faced with an assignment like this Mat Shop makes it easy to complete these jobs safely and efficiently by simply placing down the ground protection track mats before commencing.
Each of the Ground Protection Mats has been designed for ease of handling, storing and placing. This is due to the clever design that incorporates two handles on each side so that it encourages a two-man lift and sling or pinning holes on every corner that hallow the mats to be lifted by crane and then used to pin the mats to the ground. The unique design and construction of these mats have been developed primarily as a ground protection solution and work to protect all native surfaces. The heavy duty, high-density material is designed to withstand traffic from wheeled (including skid steer) and tracked loaders (both metal and rubber-tracked) and is suitable for use in external environments as it is UV resistant. Unlike other budget track mats, these mats are insulating to prevent damage and scalding to the ground underneath.
Both sides of Matshop's bog mats are covered with a specially designed tread pattern which provides superior levels of traction in all environments and weather so are ideal for use anywhere from the desert to the tropics or even in a mangrove swampland. Available in three sizes, the 600 x 2400mm mats are an excellent option for anything from a skid steer loader or tracked excavator to a b double truck, 900 x 2400mm track mats are a step up for slightly wider machines or vehicles and can even be used as a pathway for pedestrian access and the largest size 1200 x 2400mm is the most popular option being so versatile as it is designed to accommodate small to large machines and vehicles, this size option can be also crisscrossed to provide an even more sturdy surface. To view the entire ground protection mat range simply order online or call our sales team for further information on 1300 MATSHOP (1300 628 746).
