Best Pallet
Choosing Pallet Sizes for Your Warehouse
What is a pallet? A pallet (short for pallet racking) is a horizontal transport structure, which supported goods in an upright manner while being lifted with a forklift, pallet jacks, a heavy-duty sled, or a backhoe. The forklift operator uses a lever to lift one pallet at a time. A pallet consists of two or more upright pieces, which are then fitted together via wooden flanges, metal flanges, or a framework.
A pallet is the major supporting structure of a multi-piece unit load that enables optimal storage and handling efficiencies. Today, pallets come in several shapes and sizes. Some types include small, medium, large, and nestable (recycled). Nestable pallets are simply that - they can be broken down into smaller sections, which makes them compact and lighter weight for shipping.
Large-sized pallets, or 'big' pallets, are extremely heavy and are usually used by forklifts to transport heavy industrial supplies and finished products. They may be bought new, but they can also be ‘recycled' by companies who sell forklifts and pallet jacks. Many companies sell used forklifts that have been 'furnished', and refurbished to high standards. Plastic pallets are made of different materials than wooden pallets. The most common plastic pallets are made of PVC and are usually used in warehouse settings. Because the material is lightweight, the pallet will not take up a lot of space when on the ground and can be carried around quite easily.
The downside is that plastic is not as durable as other materials, and plastic will begin to show signs of wear after being used a lot. Wooden pallets, on the other hand, are extremely durable and provide a very solid base for shipping products. Medium-sized pallets are the standard size, and are perfect for businesses requiring higher volumes of pallets; however, they are heavy and difficult to transport.