WaterHog Forklift Mat

Description

WaterHog Forklift Mat — Heavy-Duty Wheel Cleaning for Warehouses

Forklifts moving between loading docks and warehouse floors track dirt, water, oil, and debris across your facility. That tracking creates slip hazards, damages floors, and spreads contamination into clean areas. WaterHog Forklift mats stop the problem at the source.

Engineered specifically for forklift traffic up to 14,000 pounds, WaterHog Forklift mats feature reinforced rubber nubs, heavy-duty backing, and a bi-level surface designed to scrape and trap debris from forklift wheels. Unlike standard entrance mats that would crush under wheel loads, the Forklift mat’s 100-mil SBR rubber backing and circle pattern construction withstand repeated forklift crossings.

Why WaterHog Forklift?

14,000-Pound Capacity Reinforced rubber nubs, heavy-duty backing, and engineered construction support forklift traffic up to 14,000 pounds. Standard entrance mats would crush and fail — Forklift mats are purpose-built for wheel loads.

Bi-Level Wheel Cleaning The circle pattern surface scrapes dirt and moisture from forklift wheels, trapping debris below wheel level to prevent tracking. The same WaterHog principle that works on shoes, scaled for industrial wheels.

Scalable Installation 4’x6′ tiles can be placed end-to-end to create runs of any length. Cover a single dock door or create long transition zones between warehouse areas. Add tiles as needed.

100% Recycled Surface PET fabric surface is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. SBR rubber backing contains 20% recycled rubber from car tires. Heavy-duty performance with eco-friendly materials.

Recommended Applications

WaterHog Forklift mats are ideal for transition zones where forklifts move between environments:

• Loading dock doors (interior side)
• Warehouse entry/exit points
• Cold storage transitions
• Manufacturing floor entrances
• Distribution center doorways
• Between outdoor staging and indoor storage
• Any location where forklifts bring in tracked debris

Product Specifications

Surface

Backing

Performance

Size

Mat sizes are approximate. Rubber shrinks and expands with temperature and time. Manufacturing tolerance is ±3-5%.

Available Colors

Installation Instructions

Required Materials:

• WaterHog Forklift Mat tile(s)
• Double-sided tape (sold separately — 32′ of tape required per tile; 1 roll covers 3 tiles)

Installation Steps:

1. Place the mat face down with rubber backing side up.
2. Place double-sided tape along all four sides of the tile, as close to the edge as possible.
3. Create an X inside the rectangle by placing tape from one corner diagonally to the opposite corner. (1 roll of tape covers 3 tiles)
4. Position the tile in the desired location.
5. Carefully fold one half of the tile back, exposing the blue tape backing.
6. Remove the blue liner and trim back to the folded area.
7. Fold that half back into place and press firmly.
8. Repeat on the other half of the tile.
9. Secure the bond by walking around all sides of the tile, applying pressure.

For Multiple Tiles: Place tiles end-to-end to create longer runs. Ensure edges meet tightly. Tape each tile individually.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Routine Maintenance:

• Vacuum regularly (daily in heavy-traffic areas; weekly in lower-traffic areas)
• Extract clean or hose off as needed to remove heavy soil and debris
• Hang mat to dry

Always make sure the mat is completely dry before returning to service.

Why Circles Instead of Waffle?

Standard WaterHog mats feature a square “waffle” pattern designed for foot traffic. WaterHog Forklift mats use a circle pattern specifically engineered for wheel contact. The circular raised nubs distribute the concentrated weight of forklift wheels more effectively than square patterns, preventing crushing while still scraping debris from wheel surfaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the maximum weight capacity?
WaterHog Forklift mats are designed to withstand forklift traffic up to 14,000 pounds. This covers most standard counterbalance forklifts used in warehouse and distribution environments.

Why is tape required for installation?
Unlike pedestrian mats that stay in place through friction and weight, forklift mats must withstand the lateral forces of turning wheels. The aggressive double-sided tape keeps tiles from shifting or bunching under wheel loads.

How much tape do I need?
Each 4’x6′ tile requires approximately 32 feet of double-sided tape. One roll of tape covers 3 tiles. The tape is sold separately.

Can I use multiple tiles to cover a larger area?
Yes. Tiles can be placed end-to-end to create runs of any length. This is the intended use case — cover a dock door, create a transition zone, or extend coverage as needed.

Is this the same as regular WaterHog?
Same brand, different construction. WaterHog Forklift uses a circle pattern (vs waffle), thicker 100-mil rubber backing (vs 78-mil), and reinforced construction to handle wheel loads up to 14,000 pounds. Standard WaterHog is designed for foot traffic only.

Can forklifts drive across this mat repeatedly?
Yes. The mat is engineered for repeated forklift crossings. The reinforced construction withstands continuous use in high-traffic industrial environments.

What surfaces can this be installed on?
WaterHog Forklift mats with smooth backing are designed for smooth, hard surfaces — concrete, sealed concrete, epoxy floors, etc. The double-sided tape system requires a clean, smooth substrate for proper adhesion.

Is this mat slip-resistant?
The PET surface provides traction, and the bi-level design traps moisture below wheel level to reduce slip hazards. However, this product is not NFSI certified like pedestrian WaterHog mats.

How long do these mats last?
Lifespan depends on traffic volume, forklift weight, and maintenance. With regular cleaning and proper installation, WaterHog Forklift mats provide years of service in typical warehouse environments.

Can these be used outdoors?
The PET surface is UV-resistant and can handle outdoor exposure. However, the double-sided tape installation system works best on clean, dry, indoor surfaces. For outdoor dock areas, consider whether tape adhesion will be reliable in your environment.

Related Products

Need Installation Tape? → Double-Sided Installation Tape (32′ per tile required; 1 roll covers 3 tiles) — Contact us for pricing

Need Standard Entrance Mats? → WaterHog Classic Mat — For pedestrian traffic at entrances

Need Anti-Fatigue Mats? → Anti-Fatigue Mats — For standing workstations

Manufacturer

M+A Matting

 

Additional information