The transport logistics in the world system of trade and economic relations takes the key place. And therefore features of forming of packages influence directly the speed and quality of the organization of delivery of various cargoes. In this large-scale process specific place is held by special pallets or pallets which international standards rather seriously differ. Correctly to calculate the loading capacity and spaciousness of the goods placed on pallets it is necessary to know all nuances about these transport devices.
Pallets are special cargo devices (pallets) used for optimization of PRR (handling services). The history pallet traces the roots back to the beginning of the 20th century when the brought-down boards on two beams from below acted as their prototype. In the course of improvement of technical means for loading also pallets changed. They have taken modern form as a result under beams the lower number of boards creating completeness of design has been established.
Pallets at the time of World War II have become especially popular in the USA when optimization of PRR has gained extremely important value. Technology modernization of cargo works with the minimum involvement of labor when using American pallet has soon extended also to Europe.
Structurally pallets are divided into the following types:
- one-areal pallets represent uniform layer of boards for transportation and storage of cargo;
- two-areal pallets respectively have two layers of boards that allows to use them on both sides.
The last are more functional, but have as well bigger weight that, in turn, influences also the lump of the transported cargo.
As fastening of two (top and lower) platforms among themselves pallets are divided into beam and block. The first type of pallets as stiffening fin has ledger board which considerably strengthens design, but allows the fork loader to do capture only from two parties. The last easier can be also used from four parties for capture, however on durability significantly concede to frame pallets that affects directly life cycle.
Also there are disposable and reusable pallets. Production of the second type of pallets has to correspond to number of requirements whenever possible of their cleaning and on structural strength.
Europe for cargo transportation uses standard europallets which sizes are regulated by the following regulations: ISO3676, ISPM 15, ISO TK/22, UIC norms 435-2/435-4. According to requirements of the specified documents the europallets have such sizes: 800*1200*145 mm. On the front bearing leg in oval frame the brand of "EUR" which confirms compliance of pallet to this quality standard is put. On other legs the marking containing the information about the producer, date of production, life cycle, sanitary cleaning availability is put.
Two layers of boards europallet mean five from above (wide – narrow – wide – narrow – wide) and three from below (wide – narrow – wide). Besides, europallets differ in obligatory availability of facets on all corners. This design feature of pallets of European standard is caused by measures for safety of carrying out the PROPHET.
The Finnish pallets (financial pallets) have the sizes: 1000*1200 ** 145 mm. On side front legs of financial pallet information on availability of the certificate of conformity in the form of brand of "FIN" in rectangle is placed. And on the central legs information on series, producer and date of production contains.
The design financial pallet has the following features: the top site is executed in the form of seven alternating boards (wide - two narrow – wide – two narrow – wide), and lower – from three (narrow – wide – narrow). On pallets there are also angular facets.
In international transport reusable pallets which have the standard dimensions of 800*1200 mm or 1000*1200 mm similar to europallets and financial pallets, as a rule, are used. At the same time height of pallets also has to be 145 mm. The difference of such pallets from disposable consists in thickness of the top flooring from boards which thickness should not be less than 22 mm. In spite of the fact that these pallets are subject to obligatory certification, the signature brand on them is absent.
Euroboxes also belong to the pallets used in standard international cargo transportation. They represent the cages which are completely made of metal which basis in form reminds europallets. Euroboxing sizes: 800*1200*800 mm. Similarly with europallets on euroboxes the brand of "EUR" in oval frame ustanalivatsya.
Except above-mentioned pallet no other pallets can be used for cargo transportation across Europe. Therefore the transport and logistic companies need to be extremely attentive in this question to avoid emergence of situations with denial of entry on the territory of the European states.
Cargo transportation in the CIS countries is still carried out according to GOST approved in Soviet period. Domestic pallets practically do not differ from European or Finnish, however have no certificates of conformity and standard marking. On external signs the difference can be established on the used nails (normal, but not screw), to lack of angular facets and thickness of the top flooring from boards which thickness can vary from 15 mm to 25 mm.
The important requirement imposed for the European cargo transportation is purity of maintenance of pallets. Whereas for internal transportations this requirement is more loyal as in this case it is possible to use pallets with insignificant pollution and darkenings of boards.
The European quality standard pallet means their division into the following three categories:
- the premium (new and clean pallets without chips which number of use does not exceed three times);
- the second grade (clean and second-hand white pallets without damages and never remontirovanny);
- the third grade (small pollution and darkenings of boards, small cracks, insignificant repair works are allowed).
All other pallets have to be written off and are not subject to further operation as their use can affect safety of the PROPHET.
It is important to know that in world practice the pallets made not only from tree are used. However metal pallets though have the clear durability and durability, but considerably make heavier cargo lump. And the cost of such pallets is much higher, than at their wooden analogs. Only euroboxes could prove positively in this sense as in this case durability of walls becomes priority condition.
Despite rather high utilization properties of plastic pallets, they have also essential shortcomings of type of prime cost and restoration of damages. And it is not even necessary to mention other materials which it is possible to use pallet for production in type of their poor practical qualities and high cost.
At operation of pallets it is necessary to remember that loading capacity europallet is 600 kg, and financial pallet – 750 kg. Also important requirement when loading goods of pallets is durability of their fastening and performance of conditions on cargo dimensions which should not exceed the sizes of the pallet on perimeter.
In transit in universal large-size container or the van use pallet has to consider their weight (on average 15-20 kg) and quantity at standard placement. So, in 20-foot container or the van the europallet or 9-10 standard pallets can be placed in one row 11. For 40-foot trucks this capacity will be 24 europallets or to 22 standard.
In the international road haulage trucks about the loading capacity of twenty tons and of body of 82 m3 are usually used. In them, as a rule, place closely thirty pallet of 800*1200 mm in size. And pallets of the big sizes are inexpedient to be used in this case.
The pallet can be considered the basic rules according to safety measures of PRR with use the following:
- it is impossible to be in close proximity to the loader;
- to monitor strictly observance of loading capacity of pallets.