Pallet Construction Materials
There are more types of pallets than most people realize. The simplest of wooden
pallets are made with inexpensive soft woods that are not particularly strong or
high grade. These pallets are generally disposed of after use. They can
generally only be lifted with a forklift or other lifting device from one or two
sides. By contrast, hardwood pallets are usually made of a higher grade of wood
and can be lifted from all four sides. Some companies now make metal pallets and
plastic pallets, which also have this feature.
These sturdier pallets with four-sided access tend to be more expensive. As a
result, they are often simply rented. Or, in other cases, they are purchased for
use and then either re-used or sold when they reach their destinations.
There are many factors that go into deciding the design of a wooden pallet.
These factors are based mostly on how the pallet will be transported and what
types of materials it will be used to transport. Weight capacity, stack ability,
and the machines used to load and unload the pallets are generally the chief
concerns in the construction of a wooden pallet. In some cases, where the loads
are very light, paper may even be used in the construction of the pallets.
The plastic pallets you may come across these days are not made of normal
plastic, but rather of a plastic resin. Unlike wooden pallets, which can easily
be repaired on the fly, plastic pallets must be replaced. However, plastic
pallets may be necessary when transporting toxic chemicals or when the pallets
will be exposed to the weather. Plastic is much easier to clean than wood.
Plastic pallets are typically used more by shipping and logistics companies who
have a constant stock of pallets on hand.
The main thing for a business that deals with large amounts of inventory is to
obtain pallets that are standardized. This allows them to properly plan their
warehouses and equipment so that everything can be loaded and unloaded quickly.
But these businesses have to work out the details with the manufacturers and
retailers they work with who also benefit from having standardized pallets. This
is why most of the time, unless there are special goods needs, everyone tries to
use the standard size pallets you typically see behind stores and around
warehouses. |
