I'm in the market for some new outrigger pads and wanted some input on aluminum vs. plywood vs. composite.  I'm leaning toward composite but wanted to hear pro vs cons on all options. 

I make my own out of MDF wood and they work really well and are very inexpensive

How big of a machine? 42 and bigger I would use aluminum only (although I despise them heavy freaking things) but are extremly durable and can withstand the weight of a big machine. Anything under a 42 I would use wood. We have made our pads in the past but seem to only work good on our 28. We buy PM pads for everything bigger, I personally am still using my PM wood pads that we got over a year ago, if treated right they will last for quite awhile.

personally we always used the wood.u can make about 7 pads for less that what ones cost if u buy them.3 peices of 3quater and screws and liquid nail and sum sealent but for a 50 meter or bigger id go with aluminum.its all a choice its what u r comfortable with and what u perfer most r all good

DICA UHMW Based Plastic (Composite) pads are my biased choice. We guarantee our pads for life against breaking & cracking so you BUY them once vs making out of wood multiple times per year. Yes, the parts to make pads out wood are less expensive but when you factor in a full day's pay or more for 2 guys to make them correctly you now have some increased costs. Now think about doing that every time you need pads. Companies that have done that and now use our pads have realized the Cost Effectiveness of buying DICA. We have Concrete Pumps that have used our pads for over 10 years and running. Not to mention our standard pad for pumps is 24" x 24" x 2" and weighs only 38.0# and will not get any heavier by absorbing water, will not delaminate or shred. DICA is an investment into your equipment but you will reep rewards with longevity and a guarantee that we will replace any broken or cracked pad for life. We are doing a PRE-WOC promo right now for BUY 3 get 1 free, so it is a great time to try the DICA brand! Visit www.dicausa.com or e-mail me, kerry@dicausa.com . #800-610-3422.

Thought I'd throw my two cents worth in. Many selfmade wooden outrigger pads are not adequate for the job, and other wooden pads are made of softer grades of wood. This does not mean all wooden pads self-destruct in a few short months. The type of wood used makes a huge difference. We are the OEM supplier for several Concrete Pumper manufacturers in Europe. Our pads are made from 100% beech hardwood plywood (one of the hardest of all hardwoods). They are sealed, resilient, and built to last for many, many years. Our company supplies beech panels to many different industries, so we have the capability of manufacturing these pads in one piece, with no bolts required, the only accessory being the carry-strap. Our niche in the marketplace is quality and durability, at reasonable price. A well-manufactured wood pad will not splinter, split or delaminate. Many people conclude that "wood is wood". My advice is to investigate a quality hardwood pad for long-lasting performance, and you can save a considerable amount of money.