Here are the basic procedures for installing dairy cow mats.

Tie stalls and free stall barns

Which mats?
In the stalls ? ergonomic mats (softer mat)
In alleys and standing areas ? beehive top mat

In free stall barns:
To keep the cows from lying down in the alleys, it is important to make sure cows can feel a difference between the hardness and surface of mats placed in the alleys from the ones in stalls.  We do not recommend using interlocking mats in alleys where manure scrapers are used.

When do we install mats?
When the ambient temperature is mild around 15°C (or 60°F).  Since rubber expands in hot temperatures and contracts in cold temperatures, we recommend that you leave the cow mats at ambient temperature 24 hours before installation.

How?
On concrete floors only:

1. Clean up the surface where the mats will be installed. Also make sure the surface is level and free of any major holes or bumps that could show through the mats.
2. It is strongly recommended that you use the suggested sealing material for all seams between mats.
3. You should also anchor the mats every 8 to 10 inches around the edges of each mat.

Step 1

Align each mat side-by-side

Step 2

Lift-up each seam to apply the sealing material

Step 2.1

Use the proper tool to apply the sealing material

Step 3

Wipe off any excess sealing material with a scraper.

Step 4

Anchor the mats to the floor at each corner and along each side.

Step 5

Final view of an alley with mats installed

Maintenance

Cow mats are very easy to clean. Their non-porous non-slip surface is a cinch to clean; you can scrape or brush the surface and clean it using your regular cleaning products.