Glossary
Two-way entry
Also called: 2-way, two-way pallet, 2-way entry
Reviewed
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.
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.
Sources
- Uniform Standard for Wood Pallets (NWPCA, now Woodpack Global), 2012 edition
- Guide to Understanding the PDS Specification and Analysis (stringer, inches)