It is important to protect your grass from heavy machinery. Heavy machinery can cause damage that will make it difficult for the grass to grow and flourish. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how you can protect your lawn from heavy machinery with a few easy steps!
Lets jump into some tips on how you can best protect your grass from the damage that can be done when you need to bring in heavy machinery for work like digging a pool, or similar projects.
Top Tips to Protecting Grass From Heavy Machinery & Equipment
Anyone who has used heavy machinery on their lawn knows the damage it can cause. It is a difficult process to undo and one that takes time, effort, and money to fix. So how do you protect your grass from heavy machinery?
The first thing you should know is what type of equipment uses the most pressure on your lawn: weed eaters, rototillers, or large-scale mowers like tractors.
Weed eaters are the least likely to cause any significant issues for your yard but they still need protection because their blades will slice through anything in its path – including grass!
Tractors are hardcore grass demolishing machines that can cause deep gashes in your yard when they are used.
The best way to protect your grass from these machines is by using a mat underneath them so that it doesn’t get dragged through the dirt.
Make Sure the Ground is Dry
Always make sure the ground is dry before driving heavy machinery over it as this helps the earth absorb the weight of the machinery and equipment.
If the ground is too wet, the weight of the machinery can cause it to sink and compact, leaving deep gouges in the ground.
If you are going to be driving heavy equipment over grass often, consider installing an artificial turf instead of natural grass.
Use a Tarp to Cover Any Exposed Areas
Use a tarp to cover any areas that are being worked on as this can provide a protective barrier and reduce the amount of time spent cleaning up afterwards.
While this provides less ground protection than a mat or ground cover, it is easier to reuse and more readily available.
The tarp can provide a layer which can take the brunt of the force when equipment is driven over it.
If you are using a tarp, make sure that it does not have any holes or tears as this will allow for dirt and debris to get underneath and damage your lawn underfoot.
The hole in the corner can be used to tie up the corners so they don’t wave around on their own accord during transport.
Make sure that both ends reach down at least two feet from either side of the edge being worked on because otherwise there could be an opening which allows for material to fall onto areas out of bounds (or even worse, into mud).
Never Use Heavy Machinery in Wet Conditions
Never use heavy machinery in wet conditions because this will increase the risk of slipping and falling due to mud build-up the more wet the ground becomes.
If you are working on a wet surface, wait for the area to dry before proceeding with machinery or equipment use.
It is also important not to damage turf that has been laid down over barren soil (for example at new homes) as this will cause injury and repair costs in the future by damaging grass roots which causes them to die off more quickly than they would otherwise have done if left undisturbed.
If you do need access under these circumstances make sure you have appropriate protection such as plywood sheets, mats etc., so avoid any potential long-term problems by taking precautions preventatively!
Use Mats For General All Over Area Protection
The best way to protect grass from heavy machinery is to use a mat. Mats are designed specifically for this purpose and come in different thicknesses, but the most common depth is about an inch.
The mats should be placed around any area where you want to protect your grass as far outwards as possible so that they overlap slightly.
Mats can also be used on their own if there isn’t enough space for them to overlap or they’re being used solely to prevent damage from turf scrubbers.
If using only one width of mat, it must cover the entire surface that will experience some form of contact with heavy equipment because it’s difficult for soil texture irregularities and other issues.
Mats come in two options a temporary and permanent. A temporary mat is good for a single use or short-term projects, but the permanent mats are designed to last through multiple uses and seasons.
The best way to know which type of mat is right for your circumstance is to measure the area in question with these dimensions as well as any other concerns you may have about how it will be used.
The more information given beforehand, the better the decision can be made on what type of mat would work best.
Permanent mats are most often used when there’s an intention that heavy machinery or equipment will make contact with grass areas over long periods of time such as construction sites that require massive amounts of earth moving.
Use Plywood To Protect on Turns
If you want to get the maximum protection possible you should use plywood in order to protect the grass, especially when turning and pivoting in place.
If you are making a turn, place one piece of plywood on each side of your tires and allow them to overlap slightly so that they do not slide around as much when turning.
When driving straight ahead, leave enough room for two pieces of plywood per tire with only an inch or two overlapping where possible.
This will reduce how much damage is done while still providing some protection against heavy machinery from running over it.
The Final Dig: How to Protect Grass From Heavy Machinery
The best way to protect your grass from heavy machinery is by installing a protective barrier. There are many options, including steel plates and mylar film.
These barriers have been proven effective against heavy equipment damage in the past so you can be sure that they will work for you as well.
Contact us today and let us know in the comments if there is anything you do to protect your grass that we failed to mention!
