At Rose Pallet we want our customers to make well-informed decisions about buying pallets. That’s why we take pride in educating and guiding you throughout the process. For our novice buyers, we’ve compiled a quick primer, a.k.a. ‘pallet 101,’ to acquaint you with the workhorse of the supply chain.
We get it. Pallet procurement isn’t your only job. However, to buy the right ones for your organization, it’s important to understand the basics.
The majority of pallets are made of lumber because wood is strong and it can be repaired. Wood pallets are also less expensive to manufacture and they can typically carry more weight (1,500 to 3,000+ pounds). Plastic pallets are more expensive, but they are extremely durable. They are also highly reusable and ideal for organizations that operate in a closed-loop warehouse or for companies that have dual purposes for pallets, such as for use in store displays.
When you are in the market for pallets, you’ll hear common terminology such as stringer, block, and 2-way or 4-way pallet. A stringer pallet has a strip of wood between the unit’s top and bottom decks. The decks are attached to the stringers. Notches are cut into the stringers for forklift entry.
A block pallet is constructed with the top and deck bottom boards attached to blocks of wood—short supporting legs—instead of stringers.
2-way and 4-way pallets differ based on the direction a forklift can enter the pallet. With a 2-way pallet (a.k.a. stringer), a forklift can only enter the pallet from two sides. With a 4-way pallet (a.k.a. block), a forklift can enter from all four sides.
While custom sizes are an option, pallets are typically offered in two sizes. A block pallet measuring 48 inches by 40 inches has deckboards of 40 inches and stringers of 48 inches. It is used for heavy loads (or general-purpose systems that might have heavy loads).
Half pallets offer a second standard size for operators requiring a smaller sized pallet. Half pallets or fractional/modular pallets typically measure 40 inches by 24 inches or 48 inches by 20 inches. The main reason to use half pallets is for shipping smaller order quantities.
Next, read our post on pallet selection to learn more or contact our pallet pros to discuss your options and cost-saving alternatives.
Jan 27, 2016
Amy Olson
They seem simple enough—a rigid platform, used as a base for storing or shipping goods. But, there are hundreds of...
continue reading double_arrow
May 02, 2018
Amy Olson
As a national pallet provider, we rely on a strong network of hardwood and softwood mills which produce many different...
continue reading double_arrow
Request Estimate
