Even when it seems impossible, there’s always a little room for improvement. Even on a seemingly full pallet of goods, a bit more could fit if you get the right “grip.” Check out our tips and become a pallet wizard.
Arranging goods on a pallet is an essential part of logistics that influences transportation and storage efficiency, safety, and costs. Proper pallet-goods arrangement can improve handling, reduce the risk of damage, and maximize spatial efficiency. Let’s explore tips and tricks for arranging goods on pallets, focusing on Euro pallets and their specific dimensions.
Basic Tips for Arranging Goods on a Pallet:
- “Know your Foe“: Memorize the dimensions and characteristics of the pallet. A standard Euro pallet has dimensions of 1200 × 800 × 144 mm, weighs 25 kg, and has a maximum load capacity of 1.5 tons, with the height of the pallet load not exceeding 2200 mm. These features and limitations should be the starting point when planning how to arrange goods on the pallet.
- Yogurts don’t belong at the bottom: Pallet stability and preserving the integrity of palletized goods take priority. Place items on the pallet to ensure stability and prevent them from collapsing under their own weight. This means strategically placing heavier items at the bottom and lighter items at the top. Avoid overloading any side; for example, don’t place packs of kitchen towels on the left side of the pallet and beer barrels on the right side.
- Maximize the Space: Efficient use of pallet space requires evenly distributing goods on the pallet to avoid unnecessary gaps.
- Don’t Forget Safety Margins: It’s essential to leave a small safety margin on the edges of the pallet. This prevents damage to the goods during handling.
- Regularize Irregularities: If you are loading small or irregularly shaped items onto the pallet, place them in a box first. If there are empty spaces in the box, fill them with filler material (cardboard spacers, bubble wrap, foam blocks, etc.).
Insights from Practical Pallet Loading
- Balance is Key: Arranging beverage cartons on a pallet requires careful balance. It’s crucial to alternate the orientation of the boxes to increase stability and allow for efficient use of space.
- Don’t Fear the “Extra”: For large electrical appliances, using Euro pallets is not recommended. Instead, opt for larger pallets with a higher load capacity. Securing appliances with straps or film helps prevent shifting during pallet transport. Before loading larger and heavier items, carefully inspect the pallet’s condition; rot, fragments, or loose parts of the pallet are undesirable.
- Soften the Blow: Arranging delicate items, such as various glass products, requires the use of soft intermediate layers between individual pieces to cushion impacts. For the overall wrapping of such a pallet with fragile goods, use a sturdy plastic wrap; however, avoid wrapping it too tightly to prevent damage to the palletized goods.
Advanced Pallet Loading Techniques
- Interlocking and Brick Stacking: These methods focus on alternating the stacking of products to increase stability. ‘Interlocking’ intertwines the goods, while ‘Brick Stacking’ creates a pattern similar to bricklaying.
- Column Stacking: This involves a vertical arrangement suitable for robust goods with uniform sizes.
Summary
Efficient pallet loading is both an art and a science. It involves understanding the physical properties of the goods, knowledge of pallet dimensions, and the ability to strategically position the items for maximum space utilization while ensuring safety. With guidelines for stable arrangement, the use of appropriate techniques, and careful planning, you can ensure that your goods reach their destination in the best possible condition.
