The lifespan of a wooden pallet is typically between three and five years, which is not a short lifespan for a product that is frequently used to transport big cargo throughout the nation. Naturally, a longer pallet lifespan results in lower pallet costs.
How can you extend the life of wood pallets? Here are some ideas…
#1 Train staff on correct pallet handling
The majority of pallet damage is brought on by human mistakes and the ongoing desire for expediency. Employees may minimize pallet damage and extend the lifespan of wood pallets by being properly trained on how to load and maintain pallets. Share some simple advice with employees as listed below:
- Do not pull or push pallets across the floor. For transport, pallets are made to be picked up.
- To prevent harming the lead board of the pallet, position the forklift gently and cautiously.
- Before lifting, completely engage the forklift’s tines and the pallet jack.
- Do not let pallets fall.
- Avoid stepping on pallets. If you must step on a pallet, only do so where a block or stringer has strengthened the board.
- Pallets should never be stacked higher than four to six feet. As a result, they are simpler to handle and are less likely to topple over and cause harm.
- Stack pallets straight. A more upright stack is less prone to topple.
- Never place a pallet on its side. They could easily tip over, which harms them.
- Before moving pallets, be sure they can handle the load.
#2 Regularly try to fix wooden pallets
It is crucial to stress that you should never utilize a damaged pallet further since doing so poses a risk to your safety. However, keep in mind that you may fix broken pallets at a considerably lower cost than purchasing new pallets before you discard them.
To achieve the best results, periodically examine your pallets and make it a point to repair them as soon as possible when they become damaged.
Pallets that have minor damage are not required to be discarded. Use what is still functional instead, and fix the rest. For “nearly new” pallets that can last for years, repair damaged boards and strengthen deformed or weak stringers with new stringers.
#3 Think about utilizing treated pallets
Even though treated pallets can cost more upfront, you might wind up saving money overall. Untreated pallets are much more susceptible to being degraded by moisture, bad weather and insects, which will shorten their lifespan.
Research has found that employing air-dried material rather than green timber results in a 43 percent increase in durability.
#4 make use of a pallet recovery program
A closed-loop system called a pallet recovery, repair and return program enables you to save expenses and increase the lifespan of your pallets by doing routine pallet repairs.
The pallet recovery technology at Pallet Resource Corp., for instance, enables you to recycle the same pallet three to four times each year for up to an average of eight years, which is about twice as long as the typical wood pallet lifespan!
#5 Prevent moisture
Preventing moisture is a crucial step in extending the lifespan of wooden pallets. Avoid storing wooden pallets in damp regions since moisture can quickly harm them.
Even if a pallet seems to be in good condition, water damage can weaken it and increase the likelihood that it will sustain damage. If it’s feasible, keep your pallets inside. Additionally, check to see if there is any standing water on the trailer being used to move pallets.
Summary:
The longevity of your wooden pallets will ultimately rely on how well they were maintained and whether or not damages were constantly fixed as soon as noticed. If you want to get high-quality wooden pallets, call Pallet Resource Corp. of Minnesota at 763-792-2882.
