Unit load
A unit load is a pallet together with the product, packaging and stabilizers (such as stretch wrap or straps) that are secured to it so they can be handled as a single item. Designing the pallet and the load together, called unit load design, can save material on both.
Also called unitized load, palletized load
Reviewed
What a unit load spec includes
PDS and LoadSync describe a unit load with these fields:
- Container type: corrugated box, bag, pail, drum, bulk box, bulk bag, sheet goods
- Container size and weight: e.g. 16 x 12 x 10 in boxes at 20 lb each
- Stacking pattern: column or interlock, boxes per layer, layers
- Stabilizers: stretch wrap, straps, corner and top-edge protectors
- Overall height
The PDS example unit load is 50 boxes in 5 interlocked layers, 1,000 lb, with a 50 in load height on a 4.75 in pallet for 54.75 in overall.
Why unit loads matter
The pallet and packaging affect each other. A stiffer pallet deck supports boxes better, so the boxes may be lighter; a weak deck can crush the bottom layer even when the pallet itself is fine. Tools such as Best Load and PDS 6.0 analyze the pallet and boxes together. Load overhang, deck gaps and stacking height all show up here.
See unit load design and pallet footprint.
Questions
- What is the difference between a pallet and a unit load?
- The pallet is the platform. The unit load is the pallet plus the product and wrap, handled as one piece.
Related
- Unit load design: designing the pallet and packaging togetherUnit load design treats the pallet, packaging and stabilizers as one system. How box footprint, stacking pattern, deck gaps and wrap affect cost and damage.
- Stretch wrapStretch wrap is plastic film stretched tightly around a loaded pallet to hold the product together and to the pallet. PDS lists it as a load stabilizer.
- Load overhangLoad overhang is when product on a pallet extends past the pallet's edges. It leaves carton edges unsupported, cutting stacking strength and inviting damage.
- Pallet footprintA pallet footprint is its length x width, with length (the stringer or stringerboard direction) stated first. 48x40 is the most common North American footprint.
- Woodpack GlobalWoodpack Global is the renamed National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA). It publishes the Uniform Standard for Wood Pallets and the PDS software.
- Annular nailAn annular (ring-shank) nail has rings around its shank that lock into the wood fibers. It is recommended for softwood and low-density hardwood pallets.