Two-way entry
A two-way entry pallet accepts fork tines from two opposite ends only. An unnotched stringer pallet is the classic example: forks slide in between the stringers from either end, and the solid stringers block entry from the sides.
Also called 2-way, two-way pallet, 2-way entry
Reviewed
How the fork opening is sized
On a two-way stringer pallet the fork opening is the clear bay between stringers by the stringer height. For a 40 in wide pallet with three 1-3/8 in stringers, each bay is (40 - 3 x 1.375) / 2 = 17.94 in wide and 3-1/2 in high. Forklift tines, commonly around 4 in wide, fit easily.
Entry types compared
| Entry | Forklift | Pallet jack | Typical construction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two-way | 2 ends | 2 ends (with wheel openings) | unnotched stringer pallet |
| Partial four-way | 4 sides | 2 ends | notched stringers |
| Full four-way | 4 sides | 4 sides | block pallet |
When two-way is enough
If loads always move along one axis (a production line, a dock that always enters from the same end, or trailers loaded end-on), two-way entry costs less and keeps the full stringer section for racking across the length. See two-way pallet.
Questions
- Are stringer pallets two-way or four-way?
- An unnotched stringer pallet is two-way. Notching the stringers makes it partial four-way: forks can enter from the sides, pallet jacks still only from the ends.
Related
- Partial four-way entryPartial four-way entry: forklifts enter from all four sides, pallet jacks from two. Notched stringer pallets like the GMA 48x40 are partial four-way.
- Full four-way entryFull four-way entry means forklifts and pallet jacks can both enter from all four sides. Block pallets with perimeter or cruciform bases are full four-way.
- StringerA stringer is the continuous beam that runs the length of a stringer pallet under the deckboards. A GMA 48x40 uses three 1-3/8 x 3-1/2 x 48 in stringers.
- Two-way pallet: fork entry from two endsA two-way pallet takes forks and pallet jacks from two opposite ends only, usually an unnotched stringer pallet. When 2-way entry is enough, and specs.
- Wheel openingA wheel opening is a gap in a pallet's bottom deck where pallet-jack wheels reach the floor. A GMA 48x40 has 9.5 in openings behind each bottom lead board.
- 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.
Sources
- Uniform Standard for Wood Pallets (NWPCA, now Woodpack Global), 2012 edition
- Guide to Understanding the PDS Specification and Analysis (stringer, inches)