Skid
A skid is a pallet with no bottom deck: a top deck fastened across two or more runners (stringers) that sit directly on the floor. Skids are used for machinery, crate bases and loads that are moved by forklift or dragged and then stay put.
Also called skid pallet, single-face skid
Reviewed
How a skid is built
A skid is a single-face stringer pallet. Its stringers are usually called runners. Common variations:
- Runners: standard pallet stringers, or heavier timbers such as 4x4 or 4x6 on machinery skids
- Deck: spaced deckboards, solid boards, or a plywood panel
- Runner ends: chamfered on the bottom so the skid can be dragged
- Machinery fields: bolt-hole pattern for fixing equipment, tie-down points
Skid vs pallet
| Skid | Pallet (double-face) | |
|---|---|---|
| Bottom deck | none | yes |
| Wood use | lower | higher |
| Pallet jack entry | between runners, no openings needed | needs wheel openings |
| Stacking and conveyors | limited | better |
In everyday speech "skid" is also used loosely for any pallet, so confirm with the buyer whether a bottom deck is wanted.
Where skids fit
Skids carry equipment, castings, crates and other loads that are not stacked. palletdesign.ai can draw a skid version of each inch size, for example the 48x40 skid. See skid for construction options.
Questions
- What is the difference between a skid and a pallet?
- A skid has no bottom deck; its runners sit on the floor. A double-face pallet has boards on the bottom as well, which helps stacking and conveyors.
- Why do people call pallets skids?
- It is common shorthand in shipping. Technically a skid is only the single-face kind, so check before quoting.
Related
- RunnerA runner is the stringer of a skid, the long base member resting on the floor. On plastic pallets, runners are rails that let the pallet ride conveyors.
- Single-faceA single-face pallet has a top deck only, with the stringers or blocks resting directly on the floor. A skid is the most common single-face pallet.
- Skid: the pallet with no bottom deckA skid is a single-face pallet with no bottom deck: a top deck nailed to runners. Learn when a skid beats a pallet, typical runner sizes and how to specify one.
- 48 × 40 skid drawing and specs48 × 40 in skid: 4-1/4 in tall, about 79 lb, 48 nails, 18.2 board feet. To-scale drawing, parts list and cut sizes.
- Pallets and skids for machinery and equipmentMachinery usually ships on custom skids: heavy runners, a thick deck and bolt-down points, sized to the machine base. Specs, sizes and an RFQ checklist.
- Solid deckA solid deck pallet has no gaps between top deckboards, or uses one panel. It carries small cartons, bags and drums that would sag into or drop through gaps.
Sources
- Crate Pro: pallet terminology
- Uniform Standard for Wood Pallets (NWPCA, now Woodpack Global), 2012 edition