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Products Transported on the Timber Pallets
The type, quantity, size and weight of the products being palletised, the way in which the products are packaged and the manner in which they are stacked on the pallet determines the design of the Top Deck Boards and the necessary working load requirements and weight distribution of the pallet. Some companies choose to use ‘pallet boxes’ to transport their products. This consists of a heavy duty corrugated case mounted onto a wooden pallet to add protection to the products, minimise movement of the consignment during transit or storage and facilitate safe handling.
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Specification and Design of Timber Pallets
Careful consideration when specifying and designing timber pallets ensure the optimum and most cost-effective means of transportation and storage of products across the complete distribution process. Using the most appropriate pallet for the application in which it is used minimises the risk of product damage during transit, maximises the use of available transport space, optimises handling and storage efficiency and helps towards compliance to health and safety and environmental regulations. Most companies use a bespoke design for their wooden pallets, specified and manufactured to meet the exact requirements of their application. However, there are universally accepted ‘standard’ sized pallets which are designed to make best use of standard trailer space. The most commonly used pallet sizes are 1200 x 800 mm (Euro pallet size) and 1200 x 1000 mm (most commonly used ‘standard’ sized pallet). |
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| Consider whether it is necessary for you, your shipper or the end-user to access your pallet from all four sides or from two directions only. Whilst Two-Way Entry Pallets offer greater strength, Four-Way Entry Pallets offer greater flexibility. |
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Specifying the Dimensions of Timber Pallets
The dimensions of timber pallets are always expressed in the format of;
Length x Width x Height (in millimetre units)
- Length refers to the length of the Top Deck Boards
- Width refers to the dimension that is at right angles to the Length
- Height is measured from the floor to the uppermost point of the pallet
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Working Load of Timber Pallets
The working load of wooden pallets is a key factor in the design and specification process. For example, if the pallets are to be used to handle 1 tonne of goods and are usually stacked 3 pallets high, then the pallet must be designed to withstand a static weight of 3 tonnes. Using pallets that are not ‘fit-for-purpose’ and not capable of handling the weight of the products on the pallets present a serious risk to health and safety. |
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Timber Pallets Destined for Export Markets
If the wooden pallets are to be used for exporting products to countries outside the EU, it is likely they will be subject to ISPM15 Phytosanitary regulations. This requires the pallets to be treated in accordance with ISPM15 guidelines to ensure that they are free from pest infestation or wood and forest diseases that can be transferred via unprocessed raw wood from one country to another, potentially having devastating effects on native timber species and their ecosystems
The Following are Components of a standard pallet: |
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Bearers - Timbers to which the deck boards of a 2-way pallet fixed thus providing spaces between top and bottom deck for entry forks.
Blocks - Timbers which connect the top deck assembly to the base of a 4-way pallet thus providing spaces for entry.
Chamfer - A 45 degree bevel two-thirds the thickness of the board, usually on both uppermost edges of base boards to facilitate entry of hand pallet trucks. Bevel usually stops at points of intersection with blocks or bearers (stopped chamfer) or can run through full length of board (through chamfer).
Deck - The load bearing surface of a pallet or stillage.
Fillets - Filler pieces fixed to the lower edges of the bearers of a 2-way pallet to create a perimeter base. Spreads load in block stacking operations.
Perimeter Base - Base boards arranged to provide a level surface along the four underneath sides of a pallet with an additional board across the centre. Suitable for pallet trucks.
Reversible - Having identical top and bottom decks - usually not suitable for hand or powered pallet trucks.
Stillage - A load platform with no base boards.
Stringers - The load bearing boards of a 4-way entry pallet to which the deck boards are fixed.
Wings - Where deck boards protrude beyond stringers or bearers.
Single wing - top deck only protruding.
Double wing - top and bottom decks protruding.
Often used in conjunction with shrink wrapping.
2-Way - Entry on two opposite sides.
4-Way - Entry on all sides. |
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Billington Group can handle pallets of all shapes and sizes: two-way and four-way, open- and closed-boarded, wing type and reversible in new, recycled and heat-treated formats.
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Two way entry pallet close boarded,
no base board. |
Two way entry pallet wing type. |
Four way entry pallet wing type. |
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Four way entry pallet
close boarded, 3 base. |
Two way entry pallet
reversible. |
Four way entry pallet
perimeter base. |
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Four way entry pallet
close boarded, perimeter base. |
1200 x 800 Euro Pallet. |
Four way entry pallet
open boarded, 3 base. |
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Billington Group is a trading style of Billington (International) Limited
280 Bawtry Road, Wickersley, Rotherham South Yorkshire, S66 1JY, UK. Company Reg No: 4836744, Vat Number: 534 1847 46 |
