Industry Terms
Use the information below as a resource for understanding the variety of industry terms we use at Viking Pallet. If you have any questions give us a call at 763-425-6707, and a member of our expert team will be happy to assist you!
- Annular Nail – Pallet nail with annular (circular ring) threads rolled onto the shank
- Banding Notch – See Strap Slot
- Bin – Four-sided superstructure to be mounted on a pallet base, with or without a cover; also known as a box or container bin pallet
- Block – Rectangular, square or cylindrical deck spacer, often identified by its location within the pallet as corner block, end block, edge block, inner block, center or middle blocks
- Block Pallet – A type of pallet with blocks between the pallet decks or beneath the top deck
- Butted Deckboard – An inner deckboard placed tightly against an adjacent lead deckboard during pallet assembly
- Bottom Deck – Assembly of deckboards comprising the lower, load bearing surface of the pallet
- CAD – Computer-aided-design software that allows the design of the “right” pallet at the best value; see Pallet Design System© (PDS©)
- Captive Pallet – A pallet intended for use within the confines of a single facility, system or ownership; not intended to be exchanged
- Chamfered Deckboards – Deckboards with edges of one or two faces beveled, either along the full or specified length of board or between the stringers of blocks, allowing easier entry of pallet jack wheels
- Closed Distribution System – Shipping system restricted to moving goods between specified plants and facilities
- Collar – Collapsible wooden container or bin which transforms a pallet into a box
- Cost-Pass-Through – A cost-share system where the partial cost of a pallet is passed-through from the purchaser to the receiver of the pallet
- Cost-Per-Trip – Average cost of pallet use for a single one-way trip
- Deck – One or more boards or panels comprising the top or bottom surface of the pallet
- Deck Mat – Assembly of deckboards and stringerboards, forming the deck of a block pallet
- Deckboard – Element or component of a pallet deck, oriented perpendicular to the stringer or stringerboard
- Deckboard Spacing – Distance between adjacent deckboards
- Deckboard Span – Distance between deckboard supports (stringers, stringerboards or blocks)
- Deflection – The amount of deformation or bending in a pallet or pallet component under load
- Dimensions – See Pallet Dimensions
- Double-Face Pallet – A pallet with top and bottom decks
- Double-Wing Pallet – A pallet with top and bottom deckboards extending beyond the edges of the stringers or stringerboards
- Drive Screw Nail – Helically (continuous spiral) threaded pallet nail
- Economic Life – Output from PDS© program which identifies the number of trips the pallet will make, provided it is properly repaired, which maximizes a return on investment
- Exchange Pallet – A pallet intended for use among a designated group of shippers and receivers where ownership of the pallet is transferred to the ownership of the unit load; common pool pallet
- Expendable Pallet – A pallet intended for a series of handlings during a single trip from shipper to receiver; it is then disposed of; see Shipping Pallet
- Fastener – A mechanical device for joining pallet components, such as nails, staples, bolts or screws
- Fastener Shear Index – Relative measure of shear resistance of the pallet fastener
- Flush Pallet – A pallet with deckboards flush with the stringers, stringerboards or blocks along the sides of the pallet
- Fork Entry – Opening between decks, beneath the top deck or beneath the stringer notch to admit forks
- Four-Way Block Pallet – A pallet with openings at both pallet ends and along pallet sides sufficient to admit hand-pallet jacks; full four-way entry pallet
- Free Span – The distance between supports in a warehouse rack
- Hand (Wheel) Jack Opening – Space provided on the bottom deck to allow pallet jack wheels to bear on the floor
- Handling – A single pick-up, movement and set-down of a loaded or empty pallet
- Hardened-Steel Nail – Heat-treated and tempered steel pallet nail with an MIBANT angle between 8 and 28 degrees
- Hardwood – Wood from broad-leaved species of trees (not necessarily hard or dense)
- Helical Nail – Helically (continuous spiral) threaded pallet nail, also see Drive Screw Nail
- Inner Deckboard – Any deckboard located between the end deckboards
- Joint – Intersection and connection of components, often identified by location within the pallet as the end joint, center joint and corner joint
- Length – Refers to the stringer or stringerboard (in block pallets) length; also refers to the first dimension given to describe a pallet i.e., 48″ x 40″, where 48″ is the pallet stringer and stringerboard length
- Life to First Repair – Output from PDS© program which is equivalent to the number of trips the pallet will last before needing repair
- Line Load – The weight of a unit load concentrated along a narrow area across the full length or width of the pallet
- Load Bearing Surface – Actual area of material in contact with and supporting a unit load
- MIBANT angle – The bend angle in a fastener shank when subjected to an MIBANT test
- MIBANT Test – (Morgan Impact Bend Angle Nail Tester) – Standard Impact nail tester used in the pallet and lumber industry as an indication of impact bend resistance of nails or staples
- Nail – Fastener made from endless wire by cutting a point and forming a head at the shank end opposite the point
- National Wooden Pallet and Container Association – A national association with the goal of promoting the design, manufacture, distribution, recycling, and sale of pallets, containers, and reels
- Non-Reversible Pallet – A pallet with bottom deckboard configuration different from top deck
- Notch – Cutout in lower portion of the stringer to allow entry for the fork tine, usually 9″ in length, 1 1/2″ in depth
- Notched Stringer – A stringer with two notches spaced for fork-tine entry, (partial four-way entry)
- Opening Height – The vertical distance measured between decks, from the floor to the underside of the top deck, or from the floor to the top of the stringer notch
- Overall Height – The vertical distance measured from the floor to the top side of the top deck
- Overhang – The distance the deck extends from the outer edge of the stringer or stringerboard; wing; lip; distance the unit load extends beyond the deck
- Pallet – A portable, horizontal, rigid platform used as a base for assembling, storing, stacking, handling and transporting goods as a unit load, often equipped with a superstructure
- Pallet Design System© – (PDS©) – Reliability-based computer-aided design (CAD) program, for determining the safe load carrying capacity, performance, life and economy of wooden pallets
- Pallet Dimensions – When specifying pallet size, the stringer or stringerboard (block pallet) length is always expressed first; for example, a 48″ x 40″ pallet has a 48″ stringer or stringerboard and 40″ deckboards
- Pallet Jack – Hand-propelled wheeled platform, equipped with a lifting device for moving palletized unit loads
- Pallet Life – The period during which the pallet remains useful, expressed in units of time or in the number of one-way trips
- Panel Deck Pallet – Pallet constructed with composite or structural panel top deck
- Partial Four-Way Stringer Pallet – A pallet with notched stringers
- Post Pallet – A pallet fitted with posts or blocks between the decks or beneath the top deck; see block pallet
- Quality – Consistent performance of a uniform product meeting the customer’s needs for economy and function
- Racked Across Deckboards – Output from PDS© program describing the maximum load carrying capacity and deflection of a pallet where the rack frame supports the pallet only at the ends of the deckboards
- Racked Across Stringers – Output from the PDS© program describing the maximum load carrying capacity and deflection of a pallet where the rack frame supports the pallet only at the ends of the stringers or stringerboards
- Repair – To remake in order to use again
- Recycling – A pallet, container or reel that has been used, discarded, salvaged, repaired and which passes through a cycle again
- Rental Pallet – A pallet owned by a third party, different from the actual pallet user
- Returnable and Reusable Pallet – A pallet designed to be used for more than one trip
- Reversible Pallet – A pallet with identical top and bottom decks
- Shipping Pallet – Pallet designed to be used for a single one-way trip from shipper to receiver; it is then disposed of; see Expendable Pallet
- Shook – Cut-to-size pallet parts to be assembled into pallets
- Shook Grade – The classification of the quality of pallet parts relative to performance characteristics based on size and distribution of defects, independent of wood species
- Single-Wing Pallet – A pallet with the top deckboards extending beyond the edges of the stringers or stringerboards with the bottom deckboards flush (if present)
- Skid – A pallet having no bottom deck
- Slave Pallet – Pallet, platform or single, thick panel used as a support base for a palletized load in rack-storage facilities or production systems
- Soft Nail – Pallet nail with an MIBANT angle equal to or greater than 47 degrees
- Softwood – Wood from coniferous or needle-bearing trees (not necessarily soft or low density)
- Solid Deck Pallet – A pallet constructed with no spacing between deckboards
- Span – The distance between stringers or block supports
- Stevedore Pallet – A pallet designed for use on seaport shipping docks, normally of heavy-duty, double-wing construction
- Stiff-Stock Steel Nail – Pallet nail made of medium-high carbon steel without heat treatment and tempering with MIBANT angle between 29 and 46 degrees
- Strap Slot – Recess or cutout on the upper edge of the stringer or the bottom of the top deckboard to allow tie-down of a unit load to the pallet deck with strapping/banding, also called the banding notch
- Strapping – Thin flat bands used to secure load to pallet
- Stringer – Continuous, longitudinal, solid or notched beam-component of the pallet used to support deck components, often identified by location as the outside or center stringer
- Stringerboard – In block pallets, continuous, solid board member extending for the full length of the pallet perpendicular to deckboard members and placed between deckboards and blocks
- Take-It-Or-Leave-It Pallet – A pallet fitted with fixed cleats on the top deckboards to permit fork truck tines to pass beneath the unit load and remove it from the pallet
- Top Cap – Panel to be placed on top of a unit load to allow for tight strapping without damaging the unit load
- Top-Deck of the Pallet – The assembly of deckboards comprising the upper load-carrying surface of the pallet
- Trip – Consists of four to six handlings of a pallet
- Two-Way Entry Pallet – A pallet with un-notched solid stringers allowing entry only from the ends
- Unit Load – Assembly of goods on a pallet for handling, moving, storing and stacking as a single entity
- Warehouse Pallet – A double-face multiple trip returnable pallet intended for general warehouse use
- Wing – Overhang of deckboard end from outside edge of stringer or stringerboard
Wood Pallet Technical Information & Specifications
Understanding pallet construction, dimensions, load requirements, entry configurations, and technical terminology can help businesses select the right wood pallet for their products and handling systems.
Viking Pallet provides technical information about wood pallet construction, pallet dimensions, deck boards, stringers, pallet entry, warehouse racking, load requirements, and other commonly used pallet terminology.
Whether you need a standard wood pallet or a custom pallet design, understanding these specifications can help you communicate your requirements and select a pallet that fits your application.
Wood Pallet Construction
A wood pallet is a rigid platform used to assemble, store, handle, and transport products as a unit load. A pallet can include several components, including deck boards, stringers or blocks, fasteners, and other structural elements.
The exact construction depends on the intended application, product weight, handling equipment, storage requirements, and shipping needs.
Pallet Dimensions
Pallet dimensions are typically expressed as length × width. For example, a 48 × 40-inch pallet has a 48-inch stringer or stringerboard length and 40-inch deckboard dimension.
The appropriate pallet size depends on the product being placed on the pallet and how the pallet will be handled, stored, and transported.
When selecting a pallet size, consider:
* Product length and width
* Product weight
* Load configuration
* Forklift and pallet jack requirements
* Warehouse racking
* Transportation requirements
* Product overhang
* One-way or reusable applications
Deck Boards
Deck boards form the top or bottom surface of a wood pallet.
Deck board specifications can include:
* Board thickness
* Board width
* Number of boards
* Spacing between boards
* Top and bottom deck configuration
Deck board spacing and construction can affect product support, pallet performance, and handling requirements.
Stringers
Stringers are longitudinal structural components that support the pallet deck.
A stringer can be solid or notched. Notched stringers can provide additional forklift and pallet jack entry options.
Stringer dimensions and configuration should be selected based on the pallet’s intended load and handling requirements.
Block Pallets
Block pallets use blocks between the pallet decks or beneath the top deck instead of relying only on continuous stringers.
Block pallet construction can provide different entry configurations and handling characteristics compared with traditional stringer pallets.
The appropriate pallet construction depends on the customer’s application and handling equipment.
Two-Way vs. Four-Way Entry
A two-way entry pallet generally allows forklift entry from two opposing sides.
A four-way entry pallet provides additional access points for handling equipment.
The right configuration depends on the forklifts, pallet jacks, warehouse layout, and material-handling system used by the customer.
Pallets and Warehouse Racking
Businesses using pallet racking should consider how the pallet will be supported within the rack.
Important factors can include:
* Pallet dimensions
* Load weight
* Rack configuration
* Support locations
* Stringer or deckboard orientation
* Pallet construction
Customers should provide their racking requirements when requesting a pallet design.
Pallet Load Capacity
Pallet load capacity depends on more than pallet dimensions.
Important factors include:
* Pallet construction
* Lumber specifications
* Deck board configuration
* Stringer or block configuration
* Load distribution
* Support conditions
* Warehouse racking
* Handling method
* Expected number of trips
A pallet should be evaluated according to the actual application rather than relying on a single generic weight rating.
Pallet Overhang
Overhang occurs when a pallet deck or unit load extends beyond the supporting structure or pallet edges.
The amount and type of overhang can affect pallet performance and load stability.
For this reason, product dimensions and load configuration should be considered when selecting or designing a pallet.
Heat-Treated Wood Pallets
Heat-treated pallets are wood pallets that have undergone an approved heat-treatment process for applicable phytosanitary requirements.
Heat-treated pallets are commonly associated with international shipping and ISPM-15 requirements.
Businesses exporting products should determine whether their shipment requires compliant treated wood packaging based on the destination country’s requirements.
Custom Pallet Specifications
A custom pallet can be designed around the specific requirements of a product or material-handling system.
Custom pallet specifications may include:
* Overall pallet dimensions
* Deck board dimensions
* Deck board spacing
* Stringer dimensions
* Block configuration
* Entry requirements
* Load requirements
* Racking requirements
* Heat-treatment requirements
Providing complete product and handling information helps the pallet manufacturer determine an appropriate design.
Need Help With Your Pallet Specifications?
Heat-treated pallets are wood pallets that have undergone an approved heat-treatment process for applicable phytosanitary requirements.
Heat-treated pallets are commonly associated with international shipping and ISPM-15 requirements.
Businesses exporting products should determine whether their shipment requires compliant treated wood packaging based on the destination country’s requirements.
Common Wood Pallet Terms
The glossary below explains commonly used pallet industry terminology, including deckboards, stringers, blocks, fork entry, pallet dimensions, racking, overhang, two-way entry, four-way entry, returnable pallets, shipping pallets, and other technical terms.
How to Select the Right Pallet Specifications
Before ordering wood pallets, consider the following:
- What are the product dimensions?
- What is the maximum product weight?
- How many products will be placed on each pallet?
- Will forklifts or pallet jacks be used?
- Is two-way or four-way entry required?
- Will the pallets be stored in warehouse racking?
- Are the pallets one-way or reusable?
- Will the pallets be shipped internationally?
- Is heat treatment required?
- Do you need a standard or custom pallet?
Providing this information allows a pallet manufacturer to better understand your application and recommend an appropriate pallet design.