The dreaded stall mat installation is about to begin. I’d love to be able to do this myself, so I’m running around purchasing a pair of these mat movers (TSC only had one each in local stores, insert eyeroll here).
Do they work? Will I be able to do this myself instead of waiting for help from my SO? We are on a deadline, and I’m stressing out big time! Ease my stress COTHers, and tell me I can do it!
I am sure they work, I checked them out. But it is made of plastic, Mats are heavy, awkward so how long with it stand the test of time? Depends on how many and how often the mats need to be moved, shifted around.
At $20 each kind of pricey, IMO 2 are needed to make the job easier, even easier if 2 people grab each side.
I use C-clamps. 6" or 8" which cost around $6 each, $12 for 2. The make a nice handle and they have lots of other uses. They will last forever.
Yes! They work, and they are a life (and back) saver!
ETA - I installed mats in 4 stalls with no help from DH using these. A sharp utility knife is your other best friend. Good luck!
Thanks!!! Feeling optimistic, and I already have lots of brand new blades for the cutter:)
Ditto!
Good luck with the installation. I use the larger, adjustable Channelock pliers for mat moving. Cheap plier copies will slip in holding, bash knuckles. Two sets of my Channelock pliers do a great job moving mats fairly easily. I will also be able to use the’s pliers after, in other situations. Plastic mat movers are pretty much a one-use tool and pricy. I never have good luck with plastic tools, seem to break easily.
Remember you CAN ALWAYS roll up a mat, tie it rolled up on both ends, then lift to carry and position it, pretty easily. They only weigh about 45 pounds. Even stand mat on one rolled end, use a 2-wheel moving cart to take mat where you want it. Dragging causes WAY more friction so you will work lots harder trying to put mat where you want it. Dragged mats feel like 150 ponds and catch on everything possible. I figure dragged mat moving is one of the torment jobs they will give people down in hell. Ha ha
Work smarter, not harder! Work like a girl, using the best economy of movement, ideas like rolling mat, tools like a 2-wheel moving cart, to make the job easier on the laborer!!
I second just using “C” clamps. Lots cheaper. Just as good.
Heavy duty vice grips did the trick for me. Never break, never slip.
I agree with the heavy duty vice grips. I’ve moved a lot of mats, some of them being the 8’ ones, and have never had a problem with vice grips.
Another vote for vice grips. Have a big C-shaped vice, easy to grip, that lives in my trailer, solely for mats but has other uses too. Quick and simple to grip or reposition as needed.
My friend taught me something neat, before she unloads the mats, as they’re hanging off the back of the truck, she drills a hole in the middle of the short end, about 2 inches from the edge of the mat. Just big enough to put a pencil in. Takes all of 5 seconds with an electric drill and appropriately sized bit.
Then, forever and ever and ever amen, you can easily move mats with a hay hook, just pop the tip in and you have a handy holder to drag them around with. Saves your back from having to drag in a stooped position too.
I also do what goodhors suggests, as I pull mine from the truck bed, I fold in the ends like an omlete or burrito, and then slide it into a wheelbarrow. Wheel it over to where I want it to go and just tip the cart to flop it out. It springs open on its own most of the time, and is generally inches from where I intended.
Mat Movers work and are worth buying if you need to move mats very often. Vice grips work too.
Love the suggestion to drill a hay-hook size hole! Ha! Take that you goofy stall mat!
We have installed A LOT of mats, and despite trying all kinds of ways to cut them, a big utility knife is still preferred over all kind of powered saws, etc. Buy heavy-duty knives and a box of heavy duty blades…
They worked…for about 3 stalls. Then the plastic teeth wore down and they started slipping. I wrapped in duct tape to try and get more grip, then sanded them…works for a bit then stops. Get the metal C clamps or just drag them. I have gotten pretty good at moving them around as they are.
i cut them wth utility blades but think if I did it again I would do something like a sawzall.
We use two of these, cost $6 each at Home Depot:
Work great, can tie a rope or chain to them to pull from if we have to slide them very far.
Won’t damage your mats.
I am a huge fan of the EZ Grips, and I do use 2 at a time. I had 30 mats delivered when I was setting up my barn and the delivery driver dropped them at the wrong barn on my property, about 400’ from where I needed them. I used the EZ Grips to lug them onto my dump cart (towed with a riding mower) and drive them over. I used the grips again to maneuver the mats into the stalls & aisle, and the hold them while I trimmed them into place.
I suppose c-clamps and pliers would work fine, but, I really appreciated the thick plastic handles on the grips. I bruise easily, and I use the grips bare-handed with no problem. I’d have to wear padded leather work gloves if I used metal tools, and I’d probably still break vessels lugging heavy mats around. They are only used annually now, but I am glad I bought them every time I use them.
The weakest link in any mat-moving system is your back – make sure to take it easy on yourself!
Red print was my experience, too. I was using the grips on “old” mats, that had been installed ~10 years ago. They were not sparkly clean. The grips were an absolute failure.
I will definitely try the hay hook method.
We use those c-clamps vise grips with a small chain/rope between them to pull from.
I think adding a hay hook or two to pull with would really give most anyone the best handle to move those easily, without needing to put holes in the mats.
Love the EZ Grips, we have used them when moving mats to fill 4 stalls and a 12x48 center aisle, none wore out (we did though). I agree with Frog Pond, the large handle makes them easier to use than C clamps.
YES! Totally worth it
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