Pallets are a common site throughout the industry. They are used as a platform for transporting, well anything; from food to metal and chemicals. You are probably used to seeing the standard wooden pallet. However, these pallets are not a one size fits all solution. Depending on the application, storage, and weight capacity required, you may need a variety of different pallets. In this article we will be guiding you through considerations you need to make when you have to buy pallets.
1. Which Material?
First think about which material the pallet needs to be made from. The most common type is wood. That’s because it is cheap and sturdy. But other applications may mean different pallet materials are needed. Plastic pallets may be the best option. These pallets are more durable; they don’t rot or grow mould. They are also weather resistant and not as easily contaminated by toxic substances, so may be best for transporting harsh chemicals. If you really need tough pallets, steel pallets are the best option. These pallets will not break under pressure so will be bets for transporting big loads. They also last for a long time and can be used to transport chemicals where plastic pallets are not suitable.
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2. What’s the Weight?
Another big consideration when you need to buy pallets is the weight to be loaded. Not just the magnitude of the weight but the orientation; will it be evenly distributed, for example. Also consider how the load will sit on the pallet and size the load will take up. These considerations will largely determine the quality and size of your pallet, as well as how much it will cost. The weight distribution also dictates exactly how durable the pallet needs to be.
3. How Will You Store Pallets?
Where will these pallets be stored and with what equipment? When it comes to transporting pallets around your warehouse, you should match the type of pallets to the equipment you own. Storage considerations are not limited to the space they will occupy but the conditions; will the pallets be stored outside where they can get wet and cold? Will they be in a very hot or cold climate? Would this affect their loading capacity? Adverse weather considerations would favour steel or plastic pallets as discussed earlier, whilst how you stack the pallets will affect considerations needed around the static load capacity of the pallets.
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