Commercial Transportation: Simple Tips on Choosing and Using Pallets
Good haulage packaging is essential for your business transportation sector. If you are thinking about improving your packaging practices, consider investing in pallets. This structure will support and stabilise your loads during transit, preventing toppling and subsequent damage. Moreover, the pallet makes handling the goods during loading and unloading processes easier. Here are some simple tips on selecting pallets for your business and using them for ideal transportation.
Choosing Your Pallets
There are new and used pallets in the market to consider for purchase and usage. As expected, new pallets are the most ideal for your business transportation. They are stable, strong and clean because the containers have not been exposed to poor goods or conditions. Unfortunately, the cost can be high for your young operation, so you can cut expenses by selecting the used alternative. Used pallets are often in good physical condition because the original frames are resilient.
However, you should always inspect the structure for broken boards, protruding nails and water damage before buying. For best results, consider purchasing repurposed, up-cycled or remanufactured pallets, because these are inspected and repaired on your behalf. In addition, it is important to check any stamps on the pallet that may indicate wood treatment. Heat-treated, kiln-dried and debarked pallets are often chemical-free, while fumigated and pressure-treated options are potentially hazardous.
Placing the Goods
When placing loads on a pallet, you should focus on uniformity of weight distribution. This will limit the possibility of the pallet falling due to the imbalance. It is advisable to make your loads conform to a square or rectangular configuration when transporting using pallets. This will prevent goods from overhanging, and it can improve stability significantly. If your goods cannot be forced into a symmetrical shape, centralise the weight of the goods. This placement will improve weight distribution and ensure that the edges of the pallets are not under pressure. In addition, strap all your heavy goods to the pallets so that they will stay in the designated position.
Wrap the Load
Finally, you should properly wrap the goods using plastic film. This will unitise the different individual loads in the pallet for better handling, particularly when loading and unloading. Moreover, the film provides protection from moisture, UV damage and dust during transportation. You can choose between stretch and shrink film for your goods. The stretch film is economical because it can be extended and application is easy. Shrink film is applied loosely and then exposed to heat for a tighter hold, providing better protection. For more information, contact a business such as 1/2 Price Pallets.