Four-way pallets
A four-way pallet can be lifted from all four sides, because the forks go under the stringers and the stringers are notched or the pallet is built on blocks.
What four-way means
- Lifted by
- The stringers
- Entry
- All four sides
- Weight
- Usually heavier, bigger and more durable than a two-way
Four-way entry is the quality that the original GMA pallet of the 1960s was defined by: a 48 by 40 inch platform that permitted four-way entry. It comes from either a notched stringer pallet or a block pallet.
Why it matters in Metro Detroit
Supplier docks in Warren, Sterling Heights, Troy and Auburn Hills are crowded with cells, conveyors and lift trucks. Being able to pick up a pallet from the side without first turning it saves time and avoids accidents. Square pallets such as the 48 x 48 are often four-way for the same reason.
What it costs
- A higher price than a two-way in the same size and grade.
- Notched stringers carry a little less load than solid ones.
- More weight to move.
Asking for it
Say "four-way" in your request, with the size and count. If you are selling, say so too: a stack of four-way pallets in one size is a stack buyers look for. A dock that sees both kinds should sort them. Buy used pallets or compare a block pallet.
Questions about four-way pallets
How do I check that a pallet is four-way?
Look at each side. If forks can slide under all four, it is four-way. Notches in the stringer are the giveaway on a stringer pallet.
Is every block pallet four-way?
Yes, by design.
Do I pay more for the entry?
Usually, yes. The extra wood or the extra cutting costs money, and the pallet is often built stronger.
Why tight docks choose it
On a crowded supplier dock, space is the scarce resource. A pallet that needs to be lifted from the end forces the truck to line up with that end, and in a narrow aisle that can mean backing out and starting again. A four-way pallet lets the truck take it from whichever side is open. Over a shift that saves minutes, and over a year it saves a surprising amount of wasted movement.
Fitting automated equipment
Conveyors, pallet shuttles and robotic stackers often expect a pallet that can be engaged on a particular face. Four-way pallets give the machine the freedom to approach from any direction, and the programmer less to worry about. If a line uses automation, ask the integrator which entry type it was commissioned for.
Rack compatibility
A four-way pallet in a rack may be loaded from either end or side, so the rack does not dictate how it sits. Check the beam spacing against the pallet width, since the extra wood in block builds sometimes makes the pallet a little taller.
Counting entries
A quick count: pick up one pallet and look at all four sides. Four open faces is four-way. If two faces are blocked by solid stringer, it is two-way.
Used four-way stock
Used four-way pallets are less plentiful than two-way, so a large order needs lead time. A buyer should ask the seller how many they hold and whether they can be sorted from a mixed lot.