A method of making a crane mat comprising a length that is longer than a width, comprising: (a) vacuum lifting and positioning a divider panel on an indexing table and vacuum lifting and positioning on the automatically vertically indexing table a first panel to receive a plurality of panels thereon, wherein the plurality of panels are positioned on one another in alternating transverse directions with respect to one another; the first panel comprising a plurality of lumber members positioned side-by-side, each of the plurality of lumber members being oriented in a first direction that is parallel to the width; and the plurality of lumber members in a top panel and a plurality of lumber members in a bottom panel are oriented in a transverse direction; (b) dispensing an adhesive on a top surface of the first panel; (c) vertically positioning the indexing table to receive a second panel; (d) vacuum lifting and positioning the second panel on the top surface of the first panel, the second panel comprising a plurality of second lumber members positioned side-by-side, (e) wherein each of the plurality of second lumber members being oriented in a second direction that is parallel to the length; (f) dispensing an adhesive on a top surface of the second panel; (g) vertically positioning the indexing table to receive a third panel; (h) vacuum lifting and positioning the third panel on the top surface of the second panel, the third panel comprising a plurality of third lumber members positioned side-by-side, each of the plurality of third lumber members being oriented in the first direction; (i) dispensing an adhesive on a top surface of the third panel; (j) vertically positioning the indexing table to receive a fourth panel; (k) vacuum lifting and positioning the fourth panel on the top surface of the third panel, the fourth panel comprising a plurality of fourth lumber members positioned side-by-side, each of the plurality of fourth lumber members being oriented in the second direction; (l) dispensing an adhesive on a top surface of the fourth panel; (m) vertically positioning the indexing table to receive a fifth panel; (n) vacuum lifting and positioning the fifth panel on the top surface of the fourth panel, the fifth panel comprising a plurality of fifth lumber members positioned side-by-side, each of the plurality of fifth lumber members being oriented in the first direction; (o) applying a compressive force to the first, second, third, fourth and fifth panels as a unit until the adhesive is set; and (p) cutting the unit to desired peripheral dimensions. (a) vacuum lifting and positioning a divider panel on an indexing table and vacuum lifting and positioning on the automatically vertically indexing table a first panel to receive a plurality of panels thereon, wherein the plurality of panels are positioned on one another in alternating transverse directions with respect to one another; the first panel comprising a plurality of lumber members positioned side-by-side, each of the plurality of lumber members being oriented in a first direction that is parallel to the width; and the plurality of lumber members in a top panel and a plurality of lumber members in a bottom panel are oriented in a transverse direction; (b) dispensing an adhesive on a top surface of the first panel; (c) vertically positioning the indexing table to receive a second panel; (d) vacuum lifting and positioning the second panel on the top surface of the first panel, the second panel comprising a plurality of second lumber members positioned side-by-side, (e) wherein each of the plurality of second lumber members being oriented in a second direction that is parallel to the length; (f) dispensing an adhesive on a top surface of the second panel; (g) vertically positioning the indexing table to receive a third panel; (h) vacuum lifting and positioning the third panel on the top surface of the second panel, the third panel comprising a plurality of third lumber members positioned side-by-side, each of the plurality of third lumber members being oriented in the first direction; (i) dispensing an adhesive on a top surface of the third panel; (j) vertically positioning the indexing table to receive a fourth panel; (k) vacuum lifting and positioning the fourth panel on the top surface of the third panel, the fourth panel comprising a plurality of fourth lumber members positioned side-by-side, each of the plurality of fourth lumber members being oriented in the second direction; (l) dispensing an adhesive on a top surface of the fourth panel; (m) vertically positioning the indexing table to receive a fifth panel; (n) vacuum lifting and positioning the fifth panel on the top surface of the fourth panel, the fifth panel comprising a plurality of fifth lumber members positioned side-by-side, each of the plurality of fifth lumber members being oriented in the first direction; (o) applying a compressive force to the first, second, third, fourth and fifth panels as a unit until the adhesive is set; and (p) cutting the unit to desired peripheral dimensions.