Pallets (general).

TM 38-400/NAVSUP PUB 572/AFMAN 23-210 MCO 4450.14/DIAM 4145.12

ally "binders" and should be referred to as such.

-- "They have become so CLOSELY related that quite

The binder in this case should be inserted between the

often we forget that FORK TRUCKS can DO many

two top layers, depending upon the commodity.

EFFICIENT JOBS WITHOUT the AID of PALLETS.

Such binders can be used also to "tie" cartons on a

BUT PALLETS ARE USELESS WITH OUT FORK

pallet if, due to their shape, they cannot be cross-tied, or

TRUCKS."

if they have been stacked to conserve space on the

-- "Will someone explain the basic CONSTRUCTION of

pallet. In the latter case, the binder should be inserted

the DOUBLE-- FACED PALLET and give the

between the two top layers of the pallet load.

REASONS for its CONSTRUCTION THIS WAY?"

Check to make sure that he/she explains the fol

(2) In addition to the use of the above-

lowing points with the "whys."

mentioned aids, pieces of cord, string, or strapping can

be used to bind pallet loads together. These can be

used to bind loads of paper rolls or cartons which have

TYPE OF WOOD (hard or soft)

not been cross tied. It is necessary to tie such loads

SIZE OF BOARDS AND SPACING-- TOP PLATFORM

around the top layer only or, in the case of paper rolls,

SIZE OF BOARDS AND SPACING-- BOTTOM

around the tops of the rolls. The use of strapping is

PLATFORM

recommended only in exceptional cases.

SIZE AND NUMBER OF STRINGERS

CHAMFER ON BOTTOM OF FRONT FACE

i. Pallets (general).

NAILS OR BOLTS FOR FASTENING (Drive screw

-- "PALLETS are really 'GLORIFIED DUNNAGE'. They

nails)

are an IMPROVEMENT on the SKID."

PLATFORM OVERHAND STRINGERS

-- "There are THREE GENERAL TYPES of PALLETS

4-WAY OR 2-WAY ENTRY WEIGHT

used in our warehouses. Can you NAME them?"

-- "WHAT SIZE PALLETS are used here? WHAT

DETERMINES the SIZE?"

SINGLE-- FACED (SKID)

-- "WHAT are the DIFFERENT SIZES USED for?"

DOUBLE FACED

-- "COULD THE NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SIZES BE

BOX (Permanent and Collapsible)

REDUCED?"

-- "DISCUSS THE 4-way 40- by 48-inch pallet

-- DESCRIBE AND DISCUSS TYPES in the following

order:

CONSTRUCTION

(1) A pallet is a small wooden platform upon which

PURPOSE

containers are loaded in unit blocks. There are three

FEATURES

common types: SINGLE-FACED PAL LET, DOUBLE-

ADAPTABILITY

FACED PALLET, and BOX PAL LET.

(1) A single-faced pallet is a single platform

(2) Actually, pallets might be called "glorified"

with stringers underneath to provide clearance for the

dunnage and are an improvement in storage operations

tines of a forklift truck and may be set down upon such

over the "skid" or "sling board" used in marine

items as wooden boxes, barrels, and drums which will

operations.

not be damaged by the concentrated pressure of the

j. Single- and double-faced pallets.

stringers.

Single-faced pallets could be used to

-- "What do we mean by SINGLE-FACED PALLETS?"

advantage in some multi story buildings on floors which

-- "Do you USE SINGLE-FACED PALLETS in your

have such a low floor load capacity that pallet loads

operation?" (If "YES"):

cannot be stacked and mechanical equipment cannot be

-- "WHERE and HOW?" (If "NO"):

used. Single-faced pallets are used quite often in

-- "COULD we USE them to ADVANTAGE?"

-- "The MOST COMMONLY USED PALLET in

our warehouses is the DOUBLE-FACED PALLET."

-- "FORK TRUCK and PALLETS have become as

closely connected as 'HAM and EGGS'."

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