palletdesign.ai

Glossary

Stringer

Also called: pallet stringer, stringer beam

Reviewed

Definition

A stringer is a continuous beam that runs the full length of a stringer pallet between the top and bottom decks, specified as width x height x length. A GMA-style 48x40 uses three 1-3/8 x 3-1/2 x 48 in hardwood stringers, notched for partial four-way entry.

On this page
  1. How stringers are specified
  2. Where the stringers sit
  3. Why stringers matter

How stringers are specified

Stringers are stated as width x height x length in actual dimensions. The stringer length is the pallet length and is always stated first, so a 48x40 pallet has 48 in stringers.

Property Typical values
Width 1-1/8, 1-1/4, 1-3/8, 1-1/2, 1-3/4 in or more
Height 3-1/2, 3-3/4, 4 or 5-1/2 in
Count 3 on most 48x40 pallets; 4 or more for heavy loads or wide pallets

Hardwood stringers are often 1-1/4 or 1-3/8 x 3-1/2 in. Softwood designs commonly use 2x4 stock, which is 1-1/2 x 3-1/2 in actual. Heavy-duty designs go to about 1-3/4 x 3-3/4 in.

Where the stringers sit

The two outer (edge) stringers are flush with the deckboard ends and any interior stringers are equally spaced. On a 40 in wide pallet with 1-3/8 in stringers, the center stringer starts at (40 - 1.375) / 2 = 19.31 in.

Why stringers matter

When a stringer pallet is racked across its length, the stringers are the beams that span the rack. The center stringer is frequently the critical member in a PDS analysis. Notches for side fork entry reduce the section, so notched stringers need checking at the notch. See stringer pallet for the full construction.

Questions

What size are pallet stringers?
Common stringers are 1-3/8 x 3-1/2 in hardwood or 1-1/2 x 3-1/2 in (2x4) softwood, cut to the pallet length.
How many stringers does a pallet have?
Most 48x40 stringer pallets have 3. Heavy-load and wide pallets use 4 or more; PDS supports up to 18.

Sources