When you’re working with cranes, ground pressure is an important, yet often overlooked, element of a good lift plan. When a high level of precision is necessary, it is advisable to involve a civil engineer, and the Load King team can assist with calculations. When ground pressures just need to be estimated, the calculations can be simplified. We’ve provided a free tool on our website to make these estimates available quickly. Our free pad load calculator is similar to other operator aids, and the Qualified Operator has the final say on the lift plan.
Why Pad Load Calculations Matter
Outrigger placement and support are crucial components of the lift plan. The outrigger position affects the stability region of the chart and changes ground
pressure. Our simplified calculations only use the full outrigger spread. Contact the factory if you need to make estimates with mid-span or narrow-span outriggers. Outriggers stabilize the crane by spreading its weight—and the weight of the lifted load—across a larger area. But not all ground surfaces are the same. Soft soil or uneven terrain may cause a crane to shift if the outrigger load is too high.
Failure to survey the area where the crane operates could result in an accident from ground instability.
Meet the Custom Truck Pad Load Calculator
Available on the Custom Truck website, the Pad Load Calculator is a free, user-friendly tool designed for quick field estimates. You can input specific lift parameters—like boom length, load weight, pad size, and more—and the calculator does the heavy lifting to estimate how much load each outrigger will carry.
What’s great is the calculator lets you choose from Custom Truck’s chassis types and pad shapes (round or rectangular), and even factors in whether you’re doing a 360° lift. It’s essential to note that while this tool provides helpful estimates, the Qualified Operator remains responsible for verifying the information and consulting the crane’s official load chart.
How It Works
Start by selecting your chassis from the dropdown menu, then enter key specs like:
• Boom length and radius
• Pad size and shape
• Counterweight (if applicable)
• Total lifted load
• Slew configuration (fixed or 360° rotation)
Once you plug in the data, hit “calculate,” and the tool estimates the load per outrigger. It’s
a quick way to double–check your setup before lifting begins.
Best Practices Beyond the Calculator
Even with tech at your fingertips, ground conditions and operator experience still matter.
Make sure to:
•Assess soil conditions to avoid sinking or instability
•Inspect your outrigger pads and equipment regularly
•Always refer to your crane’s manual for specific guidelines
•Stay current with training and certifications
Tools That Support Smarter Work
The Pad Load Calculator is just one way Custom Truck supports best practices in lifting. From new and used crane inventory to rentals, financing, and service locations across North America, we’re here to help you get the job done right. Try the Pad Load Calculator today, and take one more step toward a smarter worksite.