Two-way pallets
A two-way pallet can be lifted from two sides only. The forks go under the deck boards, from the ends.
What two-way means
- Lifted by
- The deck boards
- Entry
- Two sides
- Search interest
- About 140 US searches a month for two way pallet
A two-way pallet has solid stringers with no notches. Forks go in from the two ends where the openings are. From the sides, there is no gap, so a forklift cannot pick it up that way. It is the simplest build and the cheapest.
Where it is fine
- Docks with room to approach from the ends.
- Floor-loaded freight that moves on a dock-to-dock line.
- One-way shipping where cost is the main concern.
Where it gets in the way
Tight docks, where a truck has to turn before it can pick up, and racks that load from the side. If you cannot tell which kind a stack is, look at the stringers: notches in the side mean four-way, none means two-way. Four-way pallets shows the other build.
Used two-way pallets
Plenty of used stringer pallets are two-way, and for a buyer who has the room to approach from the ends, they are a fair choice. Mention entry in the request so a stack is not delivered that cannot be lifted the way your trucks work. Used pallets to buy.
Questions about two-way pallets
Is a two-way pallet a lower grade?
No. Entry and grade are separate. A two-way pallet can be Grade A or Grade C.
Can I use a pallet jack on one?
From the two open ends, yes. From the sides, no.
Do two-way pallets suit racks?
Often. Many racks load from the end, and a two-way pallet works as long as the forks can enter from there.
Why it is still common
Simplicity. A two-way pallet has fewer cuts and fewer parts, and a pallet maker can turn out thousands cheaply. Many shippers that never lift from the side have no reason to pay for the extra. The type only becomes a problem when a lift truck has to approach the pallet from a direction that is blocked.
A search worth knowing
About 140 searches a month in the US are for "two way pallet", far fewer than for block or stringer pallets. People who search it are often comparing against four-way, which suggests the question is a decision point rather than a product they hunt for.
Spotting one in a stack
Walk along the side of the pile and look for notches in the stringers. If the sides are solid, the pallet is two-way. Mixed piles of two-way and four-way are common, and a quick pass along each face is enough to sort them. Mark the two-way pallets with chalk on the top board so they stay together afterward.
Remember that a two-way pallet is not defective; it is a simpler build. The question is only whether your handling needs the side entry.
A matter of cost
Where cost matters more than flexibility, a two-way pallet is a fair choice. Check the aisles first. If every pick is from the end, you pay nothing for a feature you do not use.
Retrofits
A two-way pallet cannot be turned into a four-way by notching on the dock. Cutting a stringer weakens it, and the result is neither safe nor sellable. If you need four-way entry, buy it that way.
Used two-way in volume
Because plain stringer pallets are the most common used stock, two-way pallets are the easiest type to find in a large lot. A buyer who is flexible on entry will find them cheapest and most plentiful, while one who is not should specify in the first line of the request.