What happens to ground bearing pressure when moving a crawler crane from soft ground to hard ground?

When moving a crawler crane from soft ground to hard ground, the ground bearing pressure increases. This is because ground bearing pressure is the force applied by the crane divided by the area over which that force is distributed.

On soft ground, the soil can deform under the weight of the crane, effectively spreading out the load over a larger area, which can reduce the pressure exerted on the ground. Conversely, on hard ground, the crane does not sink or deform the surface as much; thus, the load is concentrated over a smaller area. As a result, the same weight of the crane results in greater pressure on the hard ground compared to soft ground due to this concentration of load.

Understanding this concept is crucial for safe crane operation, as excessive ground bearing pressure can lead to instability and increased risk of tipping or sinking, which can be particularly dangerous during operations.