Flush
A flush pallet is one whose deckboard ends line up with the outside faces of the outer stringers or blocks, so nothing overhangs. It is the default construction for GMA-style 48x40 stringer pallets and most block pallets; the opposite is a winged pallet.
Also called flush pallet, non-winged
Reviewed
What flush means on a spec
In the PDS classification a flush pallet has "Wing: 0.00", meaning zero overhang. The outer stringers sit at the edges of the deck, and the deckboard length equals the pallet width. On a flush 48x40 the 40 in deckboards end exactly at the outside faces of the edge stringers.
Flush vs winged
| Flush | Winged | |
|---|---|---|
| Deck edge | even with outer stringers | extends past outer stringers |
| Pallet jack and conveyor fit | straightforward | bottom wings can interfere |
| Bar-sling lifting | not possible | possible under the top wing |
| Typical use | general freight, retail, pooled | bagged cement, feed, crane handling |
Why it matters
A flush design gives the smallest footprint for a given deck, keeps the load's support directly over the stringers, and suits pallet jacks, conveyors and racking without surprises. Unless a buyer needs sling lifting or a wider deck, flush is the normal choice. See flush pallet for construction details.
Questions
- Is a GMA pallet flush?
- Yes. The GMA-style 48x40 stringer pallet is flush, with 40 in deckboards ending at the outer stringer faces.
Related
- WingA wing is the part of a pallet deck that overhangs past the outer stringers. Single-wing pallets overhang on top only; double-wing on top and bottom.
- OverhangOverhang is how far a pallet deck extends past the outer stringers or blocks, forming a wing. Zero overhang means flush. Not the same as load overhang.
- Flush pallet: deck edges flush with the stringersA flush pallet's deckboards end flush with the outer stringers, with no overhang. It is the default for GMA and most pallets. How it compares with wings.
- Stringer pallet: construction, sizes and when to use oneA stringer pallet carries its deck on 2 or more continuous lengthwise beams. The 48x40 GMA version uses 3 notched stringers, 7 top and 5 bottom boards.
- Fork tineA fork tine is one of the two steel arms of a forklift that slide into a pallet's openings. PDS's default example tine is 4 in wide and 42 in long.
- Free spanFree span is the unsupported distance a pallet bridges between supports, such as rack beams. A 48 in pallet on beams typically has about a 44 in free span.