Standard Pallet Sizes
Although Standard pallet sizes are widely used across the industry specifically the EPAL system dimensions which are around 1200mm x 800mm to 1200mm x 1000mm are designed to suit common transport sizes. Stillages are more often Bespoke but loosely based on these dimensions. this blog post is aimed to assist our customers in understanding both how to specify their requirements and how to interpret the information we will provide at the quotation stage.
The three main stillage dimensions are Length and Width which are generally measured over the corner posts and Height, which is from the ground to the top of the corner post.
Further important dimensions are Ground Clearance (the space from the floor to the underside of the stillage base), Internal or Effective Height (which is the height from the base of the stillage to the top frame), Post Extension (which is the height the corner posts extends over the top frame to allow stillages to be stacked).
There are also some critical dimensions when using a forklift and for loading onto vehicles. The fork centers of the fork truck will need to align with any fork guides or fork pockets (when fitted). The size of these guides/pockets needs to be able to accommodate the cross-section size and length of the forks. The size of the footprint of the stillage is instrumental when loading onto vehicles to ensure that they fit economically onto the vehicle bed.
Customers generally order stillages from Stillages and Cages that will best fit into their transport requirements (Lorries and Trailers) in order to maximise the load capacity. A rule of thumb dimension is that stillages of 1200mm x 1000mm will economically fill a vehicle, but this also depends on the type of vehicle i.e. Flatbed, Curtain sided, or Articulated and this also applies to the permissible height of the vehicle.
One of our most popular stillages is called a Collapsible Metal Pallet (CMP).
The pallet can be transported full when carrying the product and then folded down for the return journey, this will give the customer the benefit of extra capacity for any return loads. Generally, you will get 3 to 4 collapsed stillages in the same volume as one that is erected.
Stillages and Cages can produce stillages to suit your own bespoke dimensions and designs. We will always recommend sizes that are suitable for both your product and any transport vehicles involved, as well as take into account raw material sizes, to get the best economical material usage possible during manufacture.
Here at Stillages and Cages, we can produce concept designs for all of our customers to check the fitness of purpose before beginning production.
Find out more about Stillages and Cages on their member profile page here
Member-created content 1 year ago | From members