Cargo transportation is an integral component of internal and external economic relations. The simpler and faster they are organized, there is a greater turnover of money you can get. Therefore, pallets got such distribution. It is noteworthy that in the world the size of pallets has different standards. Each logistics company should know these features in order not to get into trouble.
The concept of pallets
Pallet is a special tool used to facilitate loading and unloading. In the people they are often called pallets, because they have a characteristic structure and functions.
For the first time, pallets began to be used at the beginning of the twentieth century. Their prototype was downed boards with two beams from below. Over time, loading equipment improved, and with it, pallets. They got the final look after the lower boards were nailed under the beams, creating structural integrity.
Pallets gained popularity in the USA during the Second World War, when it was necessary to modernize the loading as much as possible without additional labor. A little later, American pallets spread to Europe.
See the pallets
By their design, pallets are divided into several types. Single-site pallets have only one layer of boards for loading cargo. Two-site ones allow turning over pallets and using them on both sides. But at the same time, they are a little heavier, which can affect the total load of transported products.
By the type of fastening of the upper and lower platforms, beam pallets are distinguished among themselves, in which a long thick board passes through the entire length. But such pallets have only two sides for capture by a forklift. Block pallets have significantly less weight and four sides for pickup by the loader. But they are not as durable as the first type.
Disposable and reusable are distinguished by the duration of use. The production of refillable pallets places great demands on durability and cleaning ability.
By the type of materials you can find wooden, plastic and metal pallets. Their prevalence depends on the duration of service and the cost of the auxiliary tool for loading.
But the dimensions of the pallets have several standards, which are worth considering separately.
Euro pallets
In Europe, a standard pallet is used, the dimensions of which are regulated by normative documents ISO3676, ISPM 15, ISO TK / 22, UIC norms 435-2 / 435-4. Their dimensions are 800 * 1200 * 145 mm. Compliance with quality standards is confirmed by the EUR mark in an oval frame on the front support leg. On the other legs, other information is burned out: manufacturer, date, service life, availability of sanitization.
Structurally, Euro pallets consist of 5 upper boards, which alternate: wide, narrow, wide, narrow, wide. Only 3 boards are attached to the bottom: two wide at the edges and one narrow in the middle.
A prerequisite for the design, which always performs the production of pallets according to the European standard, is the presence of chamfers in the corners.
Financial pallets
The second type of distribution of pallets in Europe is Finnish pallets. A standard pallet of this type has dimensions 100 * 1200 * 145. The presence of a certificate is indicated by the stigma on the side front legs. Its shape is the letters FIN in the rectangle. On the central legs, digital information about the manufacturer, series and production date is mandatory.
Structurally, they also differ. The upper platform consists of seven narrow and wide boards. They alternate as follows: wide, two narrow. The lower part consists of three boards - narrow lateral and wide central. Although the dimensions of the pallets are slightly larger, the presence of corner chamfers is also necessary. This feature ensures compliance with safety standards during loading and unloading.
Other types of pallets
Non-disposable pallets are also used in international transport. They have dimensions of 800 * 1200 mm and 1000 * 1200 mm, which meets the standards of European and Finnish pallets. Furthermore, the height of the pallet must be 145 mm. The difference from disposable ones is the thickness of the upper boards. They must be at least 22 mm. Although the pallets themselves are highly standardized, they are not branded.
The last type is Euroboxes. These are metal stands that stand on the same metal base in the form of Euro pallets. Eurobox size - 800 * 1200 * 800 mm. For this type of pallets, the EUR mark in the oval is also required.
Other types of pallets are not intended for cargo transportation in Europe. Therefore, you must be very careful, otherwise you can get a refusal to import cargo into European countries.
Pallet Standards for Inland Transport
In many countries of the CIS, GOST of Soviet times is still valid. These pallets are not much different from Finnish or European, but do not have quality certificates. For their manufacture can be used not screw, but ordinary nails. No bevels allowed. The thickness of the upper boards varies from 15 to 25 mm. In all other respects, pallet sizes do not differ from the standards accepted in the world.
Not the least importance for the quality of pallets is their cleanliness. Reusable pallets for use in Europe must be clean, while for domestic transport, minor pollution and darkening of wood from prolonged use are allowed.
For domestic freight, the main thing is compliance with size standards. This requirement is dictated by the convenience of loading standard vans and containers for water transport.
Varieties of reusable pallets
In accordance with European standards, wooden pallets, the price of which (varies from 50 rubles / piece to 180 rubles / piece, depending on the condition) - the most affordable for mass transportation, must be divided into grades of quality. It should be noted that the main indicators remain unchanged. Grade depends on the appearance and duration of use.
Top grade includes new clean and white pallets. They should not be visible chips and cracks. The amount of use of these pallets does not exceed 3 times.
The second grade is the same clean and white pallets that were in use, but not repaired and without other types of damage. The duration of their use is not limited if the condition remains unchanged.
The third grade of pallets allows slight pollution. It is also possible darkening of boards from prolonged use, the presence of small cracks. Their size is limited to 30 mm in width and 300 mm in length. It is possible to use pallets after minor repairs. All other pallets are written off, because they no longer have those strength indicators and can cause accidents during loading and unloading.
Other materials for the manufacture of pallets
It is logical that wood is the cheapest material for the production of pallets. But in the world there are pallets from other materials. Metal pallets have the highest degree of strength and a long service life. At the same time, they are much heavier than others. Their use is not economically viable. The only exceptions are Euroboxes, the strength of the walls of which is more important than their large mass.
Well-established and plastic pallets. They are lightweight and relatively durable. A significant disadvantage of this type of pallets is their high cost. And they can be repaired much worse than other types.
The remaining materials from which they tried to make pallets turned out to be completely unsuitable. They are either very expensive, or brittle, or have significant weight.
Features of loading on pallets
In freight transport, a standard pallet, the dimensions of which are designed for the dimensions of the transport, must be properly packed so that the transported cargo is not damaged. If you do not follow basic rules, the consequences can be very sad.
To begin with, it is worth remembering that each pallet has its own load capacity limit. For Euro pallets, it is 600 kg, and for financial pallets - 750 kg. Exceeding this indicator is fraught with destruction of the integrity of the pallet and damage to the cargo.
For convenience and compactness, the boxes should not protrude beyond the edges of the loading platform. They are not recommended to be laid out in the form of a pyramid, since this method is the most unreliable. The whole structure must be firmly connected, since the process of moving on a loader is associated with vibrations. Loose construction will quickly fall apart.
For barrels and other non-rectangular containers, there are special transport rules. For ease of transportation, they should also be as fixed as possible. But in any case, they should not exceed the size of the pallets around the perimeter.
Accommodation in a standard van
Not the last place in standardizing the sizes of pallets is their way of loading into the van. It is logical that the cost of transporting one unit of cargo depends on how tightly they can occupy the entire useful area. It is also necessary to take into account the weight of the pallets. On average, it is 15-20 kg, but some manufacturers have a figure of 40 kg. This affects the carrying capacity of the van, since the pallets themselves form part of the load.
It is generally accepted that a 20-foot wagon can hold up to 11 Euro pallets and 9-10 standard pallets in one layer. Consequently, 40-foot trucks can safely transport up to 24 Euro pallets and up to 22 standard ones.
In international vans that are used for the transport of goods, 30 pallets of 800 * 1200 mm can be placed close to each other. This applies to 20-ton trucks, the volume of which is 82 meters cubic. Larger pallets are placed in such vans in smaller quantities, which indicates the inappropriateness of their use for international transport.
Safety precautions
Today, warehouses rarely use manual labor for loading goods into vehicles. Mostly, loaders and pallets are used for these purposes. Without them, the filling time of the truck or container increases several times. But without observing safety precautions , serious injuries can occur that are sometimes incompatible with life or cause disability.
When working with a loader, you should never be in close proximity to it. The operator may not notice the person whom the cargo will hide. As a result, a collision is possible. Also, do not stand under the forks of the loader. Each pallet will break sooner or later, and regardless of whether it is wooden, metal or plastic pallets.
Do not exceed the carrying capacity of the equipment. In warehouses there are times when loaders turn over and crush people or create real chaos from scattered boxes and boxes. The consequences of such accidents should be liquidated much longer than once again to go to load.
The use of pallets in warehouses is not a whim, but a vital necessity, which increases productivity in any of them. And everyone knows that time is money. Pallets help them earn more efficiently.