Pallets for metals and materials

01 The region's metal history

Pittsburgh produced between a third and half of national steel output by 1910 and was the steel capital of the world. The mills are mostly gone, but fabricators, rail shops and materials makers remain in McKees Rocks, Leetsdale and the river towns.

02 What dense means

Dense goods use up a standard pallet's dynamic rating quickly: 2,000 to 2,800 lb moving. A pile of bundled parts on a stringer pallet puts point loads on the deck boards and stringers. A block frame or a reinforced build spreads them.

03 Spec

04 Weight and wear

A pallet carrying metal parts is rough on its deck. A block build with a stiff deck takes the abuse, and a stated rating helps.

05 Questions a yard should answer first

1. What does the heaviest piece weigh?
2. Does the load sit flat or on its side?
3. Will it be stacked, or racked?
4. Is the pallet staying with the load or coming back?

06 Edge protection

Where steel strapping presses against boards, wooden or plastic edge protectors spread the force. Without them the strap cuts into the deck and the load shifts.

07 Steel pallets and wood

Steel pallets are under 1% of the market and are used for military ammunition, automotive, pharmaceutical, tire and motorcycle freight. Carbon steel is the cheapest durable option but rusts, while stainless and aluminum cost about two to three times as much. For most metal shippers the wood pallet remains the default, and the heavy-duty IPPC wood pallet is about 44 x 48 inches, three stringers, a 30 mm plywood deck and about 135 lb.