Advice for the new pallet buyer
Two way or four way entry?
Your first consideration is to decide the basic type of pallet you need, and whether it is necessary for you or your customer to be able to enter the pallet from all four directions, or from two directions only.
A four way entry is more versatile, especially when required to be used in warehouses where space is limited. Also in many instances a four way pallet is useful when loading and unloading vehicles, and when it is important to fully utilise box-vans, freightliners or sea containers.
A two way entry pallet however, generally forms a stronger construction and can be purchased at a somewhat lower price.
In addition to these standard pallet designs there are a number of other pallet types which may be considered.
What will you wish to palletise?
Consider carefully the product(s) you intend to palletise, and if the pallet is to be used for a general range of products the best stacking pattern you will need to incorporate.
It may of course be necessary for you to think whether your general packing sizes need review so that one particular size of pallet can be utilised.
Dependant on the product and stacking pattern you should then have a good idea of the pallet size you require, and also the top deck coverage you need.
Standard pallets are usually constructed with an approximate 60mm gap between boards, but this can be adjusted to suit your requirements, You may of course have the top deck close boarded.
The larger the gap on the top deck the less timber will be needed to construct the pallet, resulting in a lower priced pallet.
Life span of your pallet
At this stage in your thoughts consider what application you pallet will be used for:-
- Is the pallet for internal use only.
- For distribution within your own organisation or closely controlled outlets.
- To be used for distribution throughout the country including customers who may need your pallet for many months
- Do you intend to use the pallet as a 'one-trip' type, either for home or export trade.
- Will you be charging your customer with the cost of the pallet in your overall selling arrangements.
If the pallet is to be used for internal requirements only, or distributed within a close-circuit, it will pay dividends to have a robust pallet designed, which under normal conditions should then last you many years.
If however, you are going to distribute your products on a general basis, with little guarantee of when your pallet will be returned, if at all, your pallet should be designed accordingly.
If a one trip pallet is required the lowest possible specification must be incorporated, ensuring that same will sagely carry tour product from start to finish.
As a general guide to specification of timber thickness to be used please consider:-
16mm boards = 750 kilos
18mm boards = 1000 kilos
21mm boards = 1500 kilos
Of course the thickness of boards does depend also on the overall dimension of the pallet, and consequently the space between bearers on two way pallets and blocks on four way pallets.
Also keep in mind the product your are handling and whether it forms a well spread load or is 'point loaded'. and will the loaded pallet be stored in pallet racking.
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