Found a trick for leveling on uneven ground without mats

I was setting up on a job near Portland last month and the ground was all sloping hillside. I tried cribbing and shims like usual but the crane felt off. Finally I just used a long 2x12 plank under each outrigger and it spread the load way better than I expected. Has anyone else tried using wide lumber as a quick patch instead of proper pads?

2 comments

2 Comments

karenhenderson1mo ago

Those 2x12s didn't crack under the weight with the outriggers digging in on that slope?

sandra6931mo ago

Oh man, that slope thing reminds me of this one time my cousin tried to level his shed on a hillside with just cinder blocks. He was all confident until one of them just crumbled sideways and the whole thing slid a few feet. Took him all weekend to fix it with proper footings. But your point about the outriggers digging in, that's where I'd be nervous too. I've seen pressure treated wood hold up fine on flat ground, but on a slope you just never know what kind of hidden soft spots or roots are gonna throw things off. Hope they got some good gravel under there to spread the load.