Outrigger Pads
Outrigger Pads & Spreader Plates | Next-Day Delivery | APS
Outrigger pads – also known as crane pads, stabiliser pads, spreader plates, and lifting pads – distribute the weight of each outrigger foot evenly across a larger surface area, preventing equipment from sinking, tipping, or damaging the surface beneath. IPAF guidance is clear: spreader plates should always be used with boom-type MEWPs when fully supported on outriggers. Using the wrong pad, or no pad at all, is a compliance failure under PUWER and the Working at Height Regulations.
APS is the UK authorised distributor for NOLIM – precision-manufactured HMPE spreader plates, TUV tested to EN ISO 844:2014, trusted by plant hire companies, construction teams, and access platform operators across the UK. Our range covers square, circular, and rubber-backed pads for spider lifts, cherry pickers, cranes, telehandlers, and mobile plant – with next-day delivery on most sizes. Not sure which pad you need? Call our parts team on 01480 891251 and we will specify the right size for your machine and ground conditions.
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Why Use Outrigger Pads?
Outrigger pads play a crucial role in safe machine setup. They stabilise equipment on soft, uneven, or sensitive ground by spreading the weight of each outrigger foot across a larger surface area, reducing the risk of ground failure, surface damage, and equipment instability. For operators running boom lifts, truck-mounted platforms, or tracked spider lifts, they are an essential part of safe working practice and LOLER compliance.
Without the correct pad, outrigger feet concentrate load onto a small footprint. On soft ground, sand, gravel, made-up ground, or older tarmac that means instability or ground failure. On sensitive indoor flooring it means surface damage and potential liability. The correct pad eliminates both risks – and selecting the right size and material for your specific machine and ground conditions is something our parts team can advise on directly.
IPAF’s position is unequivocal: spreader plates should always be used with boom-type MEWPs when fully supported on outriggers. Failure to use appropriate ground support where conditions require it is a compliance failure under PUWER and the Working at Height Regulations 2005. Our range is stocked specifically to meet these requirements across the full spectrum of access and lifting applications.
APS Outrigger Pad Range
We offer a variety of pads suitable for most access platforms and lifting equipment:
- High-molecular-weight polyethylene (HMPE) pads – lightweight, strong, and resistant to water, chemicals, and impact. NOLIM HMPE pads are TUV tested and approved to EN ISO 844:2014, and return to their original shape after load release – unlike wood or aluminium which lose structural integrity once deformed.
- Heavy-duty pads for larger machines – ideal for truck-mounted platforms, cranes, and large boom lifts where outrigger loads are highest.
- Rubber-backed pads – for indoor use on sensitive flooring including polished concrete and tiles. The rubber backing prevents slip and surface marking while the HMPE top layer distributes the load. Available in high-visibility yellow.
- Ground mats and road mats – for very poor ground conditions where standard pads are insufficient, including soft ground, made-up ground, and sites near excavations.
- Integrated handle designs – easy to lift, position, and store on site.
- Multiple size and thickness options – matched to different machine footprints and ground conditions.
All outrigger pads supplied by APS are:
- Designed for long service life
- Non-absorbent and weatherproof
- Resistant to cracking, splitting, and splintering
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Suitable for daily on-site use across all industries
Why NOLIM
APS was appointed UK authorised distributor for NOLIM in 2024. NOLIM has led the industry in testing outrigger pads to EN ISO and TUV standards for large crane and access platform applications for over a decade. Their pads are manufactured in the Netherlands from high-quality recycled HMPE – a material that resists oil, chemicals, water, and extreme cold down to minus 30 degrees, extending service life in harsh conditions.
As APS Operations Director Kevin Shadbolt has noted, selecting the right outrigger pads is a job for an experienced appropriate person. The dimensions, structural integrity, and material quality all matter – and irrational preferences about pad type should not drive the decision. Some operators still favour wood or aluminium. Both lose structural integrity under repeated loading in ways that HMPE does not. A wooden mat that deforms under load is weaker the next time it is used. A metal pad that is flipped to correct deformation may have lost strength in the process. HMPE deforms under load and returns to its original shape once the load is released – that is the engineering difference.
How Long Do Outrigger Pads Last?
NOLIM HMPE pads are built for long-term use. Their lifespan depends on usage frequency, load, and storage conditions, but many operators achieve years of reliable performance with regular inspection and correct storage. Unlike wooden pads, HMPE does not rot, absorb moisture, or degrade in harsh weather – making it a more cost-effective choice over the full service life of your fleet. Inspect pads before each use for cracks, deformation, or surface damage and remove any pad from service that shows signs of structural compromise.
The APS Advantage
APS has been supplying powered access equipment and accessories to operators, plant hire companies, and facilities managers across the UK since 1987. Whether you run a small MEWP fleet or manage national operations, we can advise on the right pad size, type, and load capacity to suit your lifting requirements.
- Independent advice based on your equipment and ground conditions – not a generic recommendation
- Fast UK delivery with next-day dispatch on most sizes
- OEM parts and accessories stocked in volume
- APS AfterCare support for servicing, LOLER inspections, and breakdown response
- Over 35 years supplying the powered access industry
Contact our parts team on 01480 891251 or email parts@accessplatforms.co.uk for advice on sizing, compatibility, or bespoke requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Outrigger pads sit under the outrigger feet or stabilisers of MEWPs, cranes, and mobile plant to spread the point load over a larger surface area. This prevents the outrigger from sinking into soft ground, damaging sensitive flooring, or exceeding the load-bearing capacity of paved surfaces. IPAF recommends their use with all boom-type MEWPs when operating on outriggers.
The correct size depends on the outrigger foot dimensions of your equipment, the maximum load per outrigger, and the ground pressure limit of the surface. Contact our parts team on 01480 891251 with your machine model and surface type and we will advise on the right specification. If you do not have load data, tell us the machine model and we will source it.
NOLIM pads are manufactured from high-molecular-weight polyethylene (HMPE) - lightweight, non-absorbent, and resistant to oil, chemicals, and water. Unlike wood or aluminium, HMPE returns to its original shape after load release rather than deforming permanently. All NOLIM pads are TUV tested and approved to EN ISO 844:2014.
On firm, load-rated concrete the risk is lower but IPAF guidance still recommends spreader plates with boom-type MEWPs as standard practice. On any surface where load-bearing capacity is uncertain - including older tarmac, paved areas over soft fill, and surfaces near excavations - outrigger pads should always be used.
Yes. Rubber-backed pads are designed for indoor use on sensitive flooring including polished concrete, tiles, and finished floors. The rubber backing prevents slip and marking while the HMPE top layer distributes the outrigger load. Suitable for use with indoor spider lifts and electric access platforms operating inside buildings.
There is no specific law naming outrigger pads, but PUWER and the Working at Height Regulations 2005 require equipment to be stable and appropriate for the ground conditions. IPAF guidance specifies their use with boom-type MEWPs. Failing to use appropriate ground support where conditions require it is a compliance failure under both sets of regulations.
Outrigger pads are placed directly under individual outrigger feet to distribute point load. Ground mats are larger load-spreading platforms for very poor ground conditions where standard pads are insufficient - soft ground, made-up ground, or sites near excavations. Our parts team can advise on which is appropriate for your site and machine.
NOLIM HMPE pads are built for long-term use and many operators achieve years of reliable performance with consistent inspection and correct storage. Unlike wooden pads, they do not rot, absorb moisture, or degrade in harsh weather. Inspect before each use for cracks, deformation, or surface damage and remove any pad from service that shows signs of structural compromise.
Yes. Standard sizes cover the majority of applications but some machines require bespoke dimensions. Contact our parts team on 01480 891251 with your machine model and outrigger foot dimensions and we will advise on the right option.
