palletdesign.ai

Glossary

Notch

Also called: fork notch, stringer notch

Reviewed

Definition

A notch is a cutout in the lower edge of a stringer that lets fork tines enter a stringer pallet from the side, making it partial four-way. The Uniform Standard recommends an opening about 2 in high (including the bottom deck) and 9 in long, with radiused corners between 1/2 and 1-1/2 in.

How notches are specified

Each notched stringer usually has two notches, described by depth, length, location from the stringer end and corner radius.

Parameter Uniform Standard guidance GMA-style 48x40 example
Opening height about 2 in to the top of the notch, including the bottom deck 1-1/4 in notch + 5/8 in deck = 1-7/8 in
Length about 9 in, with a flat top of at least 7 in 9 in
Location set by design 6 in from each end
Corner radius 1/2 to 1-1/2 in; square notches not acceptable 3/4 in
Tolerance size 1/8 in, location 3/8 in

Read along the side view, the GMA-style stringer measures 6 / 9 / 18 / 9 / 6 in.

Why notches matter

Notches trade strength for access. They remove wood from the bottom of the stringer, so when the pallet is racked across its length the reduced section at the notch can govern capacity. Bottom deckboards must not intrude into the notch zone. Notches admit forklift tines but not pallet-jack wheels from the side, which is why notched pallets are partial four-way. The notched stringers guide covers layout in detail.

Questions

How deep are pallet notches?
Commonly 1 to 1-1/2 in deep. With a 5/8 in bottom deck, a 1-1/4 in notch gives the roughly 2 in opening the Uniform Standard recommends.
Can a pallet jack use the notches?
No. Notches only admit forklift tines from the side. A pallet jack needs wheel openings in the bottom deck, which notched pallets have only at the ends.

Sources