Glossary
Maximum working load
Also called: MWL, working load
Reviewed
Maximum working load is the largest payload a pallet is allowed to carry in a specific load and support configuration, as defined in ISO 8611-3. Unlike the nominal load, it reflects how the load sits on the pallet and how the pallet is supported, so one pallet has different maximum working loads for racking, forklift handling and floor stacking.
On this page
How it differs from other ratings
| Rating | Depends on your load and support? |
|---|---|
| Nominal load | no, standard test setup |
| Maximum working load | yes, specific load type and support |
| Safe working load | yes, stated per condition |
What changes the maximum working load
- Support condition: rack beams, forklift tines, floor, stack height
- Load type: uniform cartons, soft bags, rigid line loads, drums, point loads
- Span: a wider rack span lowers the rating
- Duration and environment: long-term loads cause creep; wet service weakens wood
How to use it in an RFQ
State the real conditions rather than asking for a single capacity number: maximum and average load, how the load sits (uniform, drums, bags), rack type and beam span, forklift or pallet jack, and stack height. The manufacturer then rates the design for those conditions through a PDS analysis or a test to ISO 8611 or ASTM D1185. See how to write a pallet RFQ and ISO 8611.
Questions
- Is maximum working load higher than nominal load?
- It can be higher or lower. It depends on how the actual load and supports compare with the idealized test setup.