What to use for grates?

[APW]

These SS pits are kind of wide and wondering if I can use the fiberglass grating from Kleenrite? They are 42" x 78". I sawed out a recessed lip around the pit for the grate to set down in. What would ya'll recommend?

 

[pgrzes]

I think the same grates are a little less expensive from TSS Sign.

 

[MEP001]

I looked into fiberglass grates once. At 1 1/2" thick they can only take 230 pounds with a 42" span, so not only will you need to reinforce the span with steel you'll have to cut way deeper for them to be flush.

I'd look for a local company who can cut down and weld up edges on grate stock.

 

[Ric]

I like the fiberglass grates in our tunnels but I would not use them in the ss bays. Their light weight would make them easy for someone to steal.

 

[Keith Baker]

My pits are about the same dimension as yours, and I have two of them with 1 1/2" fiberglass. I reinforced them with two pieces of angle iron across the 40" span. I've pulled my 3/4 ton pickup onto them and they don't bow at all. I purchased them from a company called Versa-Grate several years ago when the metal ones were getting stolen. They had a good price and service, but I don't know if they are still around.

 

[mjwalsh]

My pits are about the same dimension as yours, and I have two of them with 1 1/2" fiberglass. I reinforced them with two pieces of angle iron across the 40" span. I've pulled my 3/4 ton pickup onto them and they don't bow at all. I purchased them from a company called Versa-Grate several years ago when the metal ones were getting stolen. They had a good price and service, but I don't know if they are still around.

Keith,

If we did that ... our luck would be some even heavier forklift being washed would have a wheel right where the fiberglass would be vulnerable. I did what Mep suggested. A long term friend welding fabricator & supply local out Glenn's Welding ... even though Glenn has lots of employees ... he himself personally looked at our deteriorating metal ... & next thing we knew he had the stock grating modified by one of his fabricators. That was a few years ago ... so far no problems. We lock up at 10PM & hopefully attended & busy enough so the metal for scrap criminal activity has been a non issue for us so far. Something tells me he did better than a sometimes "fly by night" know it all engineer!