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The Best Way to Pack Wooden Pallets

Wooden pallets are extremely sturdy structures that are ideally suited for the secure storage, transportation and shipment of heavy loads. Used widely in a variety of different industries, wooden pallets are extremely versatile and give business owners peace of mind that their goods are being moved safely from A to B. However, simply using a pallet cannot guarantee that your products will arrive at their destination unscathed.

Believe it or not, there are a lot of do’s and don’ts when it comes to loading up a wooden pallet. How a pallet is packed is extremely important, and if arranged incorrectly, can have disastrous consequences. Preparing a pallet for shipment is a huge responsibility which must be understood as a poorly packed pallet could result in damage to your goods, other shipments, and it could even put you and your fellow team members at risk. In addition to this, drivers have the right to refuse any load they deem to be unsafe. With this in mind, it’s important to follow strict guidelines to ensure there is no disruption to your shipment. Luckily, when it comes to organising a large pallet, the rules are very straightforward. There are no clashing opinions or ludicrous myths- the art of packing a pallet efficiently is simple and definitely not subject to interpretation.

So we’ve established that loading a pallet correctly is important, but how exactly is this done? Here at Brookfield Pallets, we supply top quality yet affordable wooden pallets to clients in all industries. Having been in the pallet selling business since 1993, we know a thing or two about how to use these structures to their full potential without compromising on safety. With this in mind, we’ve constructed a guide to the most important things to consider when preparing your pallet for shipment.

Pallet size: how to buy wooden pallets

Let’s rewind back to the pallet selection process. When purchasing a pallet, it’s crucial for it to be large enough to accommodate your load. Pallets are extremely sturdy structures, but your goods may not be fully protected if there is any overhang. Any item that goes over the edges of a pallet is at risk of damage. Further to this, overhanging goods will alter the dimensions of your pallet and could result in your freight being more expensive to transport. Your containers should come close to the pallet edge to make full use of the space but should never exceed it. This will ensure maximum safety and security during transportation. Here at Brookfield Pallets, we have a wide range of new and second-hand pallets for sale in varying sizes to ensure there’s something for everyone. To find out more about our selection of wooden pallets, why not visit our website to see how we could help you?

Boxing up items

Packing boxes may seem self-explanatory, but there is definitely more to the process than meets the eye. When it comes to particularly fragile items, the arrangement is key. Try to pack items neatly, evenly and in some kind of order if possible. The boxes should also be packed full with no air in them to minimise the possibility of any items getting crushed during shipping. Packing materials such as packing peanuts, bubble wrap and foam sheets may also be appropriate depending on what you are shipping. Lastly, make sure that your boxes are securely sealed with plenty of strong tape. How you pack up your boxes is almost as important as how you load them onto your pallet, so it pays to be diligent and pay close attention to detail.

How to arrange your pallet

So your boxes are all packed up and ready to be shipped- now comes the task of loading up the pallet. Although the thought process behind the method is extremely logical, it is multi-faceted. With this in mind, all rules must be adhered to in order to create a pallet load that is as stable and secure as possible. Below are a few key pointers on how to make the most of your pallet whilst ensuring maximum safety and security.

Put heavier boxes at the bottom

If loaded onto the pallet first, heavier boxes will act as a strong and stable base for other subsequent items. Having lighter boxes at the bottom of the load would not only make a pallet less secure, but could also result in smaller or more fragile items being crushed under the weight of heavier ones. For a pallet with a low centre of gravity, always arrange the load with weight in mind.

Stacking

When it comes to stacking your boxes, arrange them in columns and try to distribute the weight across the pallet as evenly as possible. This is arguably the most important part of pallet packing as boxes that aren’t aligned are bound to be less stable. Ideally, all your boxes will have similar dimensions so that they can be stacked together evenly like bricks. A pyramid-shaped stack is likely to be less structurally secure and could result in damage. Although lighter items should be at the top of a stack as a general rule, it may be an idea to try and embed smaller boxes within your load so that your shipment resembles a cube rather than a pyramid. Keeping the top level of your load flat will also minimise the likelihood of items being lost or damaged. An evenly stacked pallet will be a lot easier to transport and is guaranteed to improve the structural integrity of your load.

Shrink wrapping

Once you’re happy with how your pallet has been stacked, it’s time to apply an extra layer of protection. Wrap your stack tightly to create an effective seal and make sure that the base of the pallet is wrapped as well. A top quality shrink wrap will strap your items together to significantly reduce the likelihood of anything coming loose, so it’s important to apply multiple layers for maximum protection. You can also twist the wrap as you’re applying it for an extra strong hold.

Nylon straps

Finally, using nylon straps to attach your goods to the pallet is another security measure worth adhering to. It will reduce the possibility of boxes coming loose from your pallet and could prevent items from getting damaged. Although not strictly necessary if your items have been shrink wrapped, nylon straps can give you peace of mind that you’ve taken every safety precaution possible. Once your straps are fastened, your pallet will be ready for shipment.

Brookfield Pallets: a highly trustworthy and long-standing business that stocks a wide range of wooden pallets for sale

At Brookfield Pallets, we guarantee that whatever your requirements, we can supply the pallets to help. We also offer heat treatment and pallet reconditioning services for any substandard pallets you may have, so that you can restore your pallets to their former glory rather than purchasing new ones. We pride ourselves on delivering a top quality service at an affordable price and we have the know-how to do so effectively. If you’re looking for new or fully restored used pallets for sale in Birmingham, contact us today to speak to a member of our friendly team.

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