In cargo transportation around the world, standard Euro pallets are actively used, the dimensions of which allow the maximum amount of usable area to be used. These devices have gained such popularity due to the fact that with their help work in warehouses is much easier.
The concept of pallets
Pallets (pallets) are special devices with which loading and unloading operations are carried out during transportation. The specifics of their use foresees the movement of the pallet together with the cargo that is piled on it. Therefore, pallets can be equated to the simplest containers. But they differ from the latter in that they do not pack and protect the cargo, but only contribute to its faster movement.
In global logistics, the size of the europallets is strictly standardized. This is done in order to more rational use of usable area in transport. And loading equipment is easier to design if all pallets are the same size.
It is known that several standards are used in the world. But the most popular is the europallet 1200x800. That it fits perfectly in all types of freight transport.
European pallet dimensions
In accordance with regulatory documents that monitor compliance with standards, the size of the europallet should be 1200x800 mm. It is these dimensions that are considered optimal for international shipping.
Moreover, each such pallet is marked with a corresponding mark, which has the form of an oval with the letters EUR inside. Without such a sign, goods may not be missed at European customs. And it's not just about the size. This sign indicates that sanitary standards have also been complied with.
It is also important to remember that the height of the europallet must be exactly 145 mm. It is for this size that all forklifts that are used in European warehouses are designed. If the pallet is lower, it cannot be lifted. A pallet of a higher height takes up a lot of space, which means that there is a risk of increasing the total cost of transportation. Therefore, all pallets of this standard must clearly comply with the established production standards.
Euro pallet construction
A lot of the use of pallets depends on their design. Since the first prototypes of this device appeared at the beginning of the twentieth century, over the course of a century people were able to choose the most optimal option. Standard euro pallets, the dimensions of which are fixed at the documentary level, have several design solutions.
Two types of pallets are distinguished by the method of loading: two-gripping and four-gripping. The former are stronger, but less versatile. To rearrange them, sometimes you have to pretty spin. But the second is less durable. Therefore, they are often used as disposable.
The upper pallet area consists of five boards of different widths, which alternate in this order: wide - narrow - wide - narrow - wide. It is this solution that allows you to get maximum strength with such dimensions.
Longest live pallets, which are based on three longitudinal beams. Three boards are attached to them from below: two wide at the edges and one narrow in the middle. For reusable Euro pallets, the thickness of the upper boards should be 22 mm.
Grade reusable pallets
Since pallets are used more than once, they must meet certain requirements that help to select the correct load in accordance with the intended load. At the same time, the condition of europallets, the dimensions of which are ideal for transportation, is of importance.
White and clean pallets without spots and darkening correspond to the highest grade. They should not have cracks, chips or faults. The highest grade pallets are used no more than three times. Then they are transferred to the next grade.
To the second grade belong pallets the same as the previous ones, but they were used much more times. No external or internal damage is allowed here. Also in the second grade there are no repaired pallets.
Minor chips and cracks up to 30 cm in length - this is a sign of the third grade. Pallets can be a little dirty and darkened with time. It is possible to use pallets after minor repairs.
Hygiene Standards
Most EU countries require that pallets imported into their territory have phytosanitary certificates. These are documents that confirm that the wood used for the production of the pallet was processed from fungi, microorganisms and insects. Thus, governments are trying to protect the country from getting into its territory of dangerous factors that could damage equipment in warehouses.
Fortunately, the europallet, the dimensions of which are ideally suited for cargo transportation, has several places where you can put a stamp confirming the presence of such processing. It looks like an abbreviation indicating the type of processing, the serial number of the process and the code of the country where this was carried out. Together with the certificate, such pallets are passed to any country. Without it, the cargo can be returned back, which will entail serious losses.
Carrying capacity
It has been structurally confirmed that the size of the euro pallet has a certain carrying capacity, the excess of which can lead to its damage. The standard maximum weight of a disposable pallet is 600 kg. Reusable pallets can withstand up to 2 tons. Moreover, in accordance with the rules of cargo transportation, any cargo weighing more than 70 kg must be palletized.
The very weight of the europallet 1200x800 is 15-20 kg. Some manufacturers say that their pallets weigh 40 kg, but this is the maximum weight allowed for this equipment. Otherwise, it is completely disadvantageous to use, since such pallets significantly increase the total weight of the transported cargo.
Loading in containers and eurotrucks
The volume of products that can be transported at a time depends on the method of loading. The more compact the pallets are, the more cargo will fit in a truck or container.
It has long been estimated that a 20-foot container in one layer holds 11 Euro pallets. A photo of this method is available to everyone. As well as the image of placing 23-24 pallets in a 40-foot transport container.
There is an ideal way to load Euro pallets into a standard truck for international transport. In this way, 30 pallets can be tightly packed in one layer.
Thus, the skill of placing pallets depends on how much cargo can be transported in one go. Therefore, standard pallets are perfectly suited for these purposes.
Cargo securing methods
The standard size of the europallet requires compliance with certain rules of cargo transportation in order to deliver everything intact. To begin with, it is worth remembering that not a single load is recommended to be placed so that it goes beyond the boundaries of the upper platform. This ensures a tight fit of the pallets in the container, and hence its absolute filling.
All loads must be firmly fixed so that they do not crumble during transportation. For these purposes, bonding materials or stretch film are used, which tightly winds the load to the pallet.
Coils and barrels on pallets are fixed in a special way. The main thing is that they are strictly in the middle and do not roll on the surface of the pallet. It is advisable to place them in an upright position, it is easier to comply with the dimensions of the pallet.
Safety precautions
Compliance with safety rules when working with pallets ensures the preservation of health, order in the warehouse and the integrity of the equipment that is used for these purposes.
Never overload pallets. If the cargo is stored in several layers, the most reliable pallets must be put on the bottom, otherwise they may burst under the weight of the cargo.
Never save on pallets. Euro pallet, the price of which is not so big (200-500 rubles for 1 pc.), Has a certain service life. After its expiration, it is better to throw out the worn out device than to pay compensation for the damaged cargo in case of breakage.
It is also worth being very careful where the loaders work. Due to the large dimensions of palletized cargo, you can easily not notice a person: run into him or put a pallet.
Crowded loaders often roll over and spoil everything that comes in their way. Often there are times when, as a result of such an accident, the entire warehouse collapses, like a house of cards or domino tiles. Therefore, it is better to make an extra walk than to eliminate the consequences of overload.
Custom application
The fairly widespread distribution of Europallets has led to the fact that they began to be used for other purposes. The relatively low cost (or even a free option in the case of writing off worn pallets) makes them an attractive material for a variety of crafts.
Craftsmen offer to make furniture from pallets. At the same time, it can be both garden and room. Subject to a nice decoration, the bed or sofa from the pallet will become the highlight of the urban interior.
Cottage furniture is also obtained from used pallets. Moreover, there is no need to knock down wooden surfaces together. Just saw off in one place and add legs or back in another.
In this way, Euro pallets have become an indispensable tool for loading and unloading in almost the entire Old World. Today their use is a prerequisite for all bulky and heavy loads that move from one country to another.