What Is a Sheet Pallet?
A sheet pallet is a thin sheet pallet made of special kraft paper or synthetic resin.
While conventional pallets are about 6 inches thick, a sheet pallet is generally 1 to 5 mm thick and can be stacked in tiers. They are used for transporting and storing corrugated boxes and other items in food, industrial products, and other fields.
Specialized lifts (lifts with push-pull attachments) are used for loading and unloading sheet pallets.
Uses of Sheet Pallets
Sheet pallets are used in a wide range of fields and cargo types. Specific applications are as follows:
- Flexible containers for storing chemical products
- Resin bags
- Carton boxes for storing frozen foods, general foods, etc.
- Paper bags for storing rice, etc.
- Brackets for storing fruits and vegetables
- Corrugated boxes for industrial products such as home appliances
Because they are thinner than conventional pallets, there is less waste due to pallet thickness in relation to stacking height. In addition, because they are lightweight, sheet pallets can be carried by hand, improving work efficiency.
Principle of Sheet Pallets
Sheet pallets require a special lift, not a forklift. This lift is equipped with a plate loading platform called a platen, generally 15 to 18 inches wide, and a gripper that grabs the tabs on the edge of the sheet pallets. The sheet pallets are loaded using a push-pull attachment consisting of a faceplate that moves back and forth hydraulically.
Being a single thin sheet, it is extremely lightweight. Reduced transportation load reduces CO2 emissions and contributes to environmental preservation. Other features include resistance to moisture and chemicals, with most resin sheets being made of PP. Since fumigation is not required, no odor attaches to the cargo. In addition, PP pallets are hygienic as they do not harbor bacteria.
Other Information on Sheet Pallets
1. Attachments for Sheet Pallets
To transport sheet pallets, an attachment called a push-pull is attached to the forklift. The push-pull attachment enables the operator to “grab,” “pull,” “release,” and “push” the sheet pallets.
First, the gripper grabs the tabs on the edge of the sheet pallets and pulls the entire sheet pallets and their cargo onto the platen. At that point, the forklift is moved forward to minimize the movement of the cargo. The platen is a large steel plate attached to the push-pull.
When unloading the entire sheet pallets of cargo, tilt the attachment forward so that the end of the plate lightly touches the floor. The load can be placed at the target point by pushing the load out with the faceplate and moving the forklift backward.
2. Disadvantages of Sheet Pallets
The disadvantage of sheet pallets is they are vulnerable to water damage if the material is paper. Another disadvantage is that a lift equipped with a push-pull must be used to load and unload sheet pallets, and regular pallets cannot be used at the same time.
In addition, handling sheet pallets loaded with cargo requires a knack for handling them. Some companies are now offering assistance in acquiring the skills necessary to handle sheet pallets.