Page 18 - FM_Playbook

1. BEST PRACTICES: PLASTIC/RUBBER SOFT, OTHER
1F. Best practices for stacking a pallet:
Proper care in loading and wrapping loads with enough containment force can reduce the damage that occurs when products tumble onto a truck bed or loading dock. Below are recommended approaches.
ALIGNED
IDEAL
STAGGERED
33% WEAKER
OVERHANG
40% WEAKER
• Stack heavier items on the bottom, with lighter boxes on top.
• Make sure cartons are new and of proper strength to withstand stacking. Over 70% of the compressive box strength is located at the box’s corners.
• Make sure to stack the cartons corner to corner, forming a square.
• Liner paper can be used both under the load and in between every third layer. The liner paper helps to decrease friction and evenly distribute the weight.
• Keep your load straight and within the perimeter of the pallet by placing the load slightly within the pallet edges. Placing it too far in from the edge decreases the effectiveness of the stretch wrap
• Do not load products and cartons that would overhang the pallet’s edges. Overhang can diminish up to 30% of the top to bottom compression resistance potential.
• Interlocking reduces corrugated box stacking strength up to 50% compared to column stacking. However, interlocking patterns are more stable and better suited for random sized shipments
Aligned Pallet
Interlocking Pallet