What is a MAPS box?

Modular Aluminium Panel Shields (MAPS) are purposely engineered for their versatility and strength, while remaining ultra lightweight and easy to handle.

Let’s take a closer look at our MAPS boxes, what they are and how they work, what applications they are suited for, and some of the features they offer.

How Does a MAPS Box Work?

MAPS boxes are aluminium trench boxes that can be quickly configured to a range of two-, three-, or four-sided setups, offering flexibility and adaptability depending on your project requirements. The system’s modular design allows panels to be removed at various heights for a fully custom setup, allowing pipe and utilities to run through at various angles.

A MAPS system comprises three main components, modular panels, adjustable struts, and corner posts, as well as a range of accessories, such as lifting lugs, T connector brackets to extend the box, our MAPS Sheeting Guide, and more.

MAPS boxes can be installed using the ‘Dig & Place’ method, where using lifting chains and a MAPS boxes lifting eyes, the box is lowered into a trench or excavation that has been completely dug out to the required depth, and the space between the box and the walls backfilled with soil before any work begins.

What Are MAPS Boxes Suited for?

Our MAPS boxes are an incredibly flexible and safe trench shoring system that can be used in a range of applications, including for:

• General construction and utilities contractors
• Excavations or trenches that have difficult access
• Utility maintenance and repairs to cable splice pits, gas, sewer, and water taps, and other light utility installations
• Plumbing repairs
• Construction and repairs of manholes, pits, tanks, and more
• Drainage and stormwater projects
• Underground electrical and telecommunications work

What Are Some of the Features of Our MAPS Boxes?

Our MAPS boxes are known for their safety, effectiveness, and easy installation. With lightweight components that can be transported by a utility vehicle, they offer a quick and simple installation, making them an ideal solution for any lightweight shoring application. A two-man crew can readily assemble a MAPS system by hand for rapid placement in the trench by a backhoe or small excavator.

Foam-filled, double-walled aluminium panels provide excellent stability and help to reduce waterlogging allowing for a quick and painless removal from a trench once a project is complete.

Shore Hire also has a MAPS Sheeting Guide, which is a complimentary application to our MAPS boxes that can easily be used in place of MAPS panels. This innovative tool is also constructed from lightweight aluminium and can easily be used vertically to create small openings in a MAPS box, and has the flexibility to skip or interlock the sheets as long as there isn’t reactive soil in the exposed openings.

Our MAPS T-Post is another MAPS accessory that allows our MAPS boxes to be extended to be able to link multiple MAPS systems together. This bracket is a major benefit as it can save you time and money by being able to simply extend a MAPS box instead of having multiple MAPS boxes.

For more information about our complete range of shoring services and equipment, visit your nearest branch, email [email protected], or call our friendly team of experts at 1800 UR HIRE.