Used 1200 x 1200 plastic pallets
Used 1200 x 1200 mm plastic pallets are the large square footprint for big bags, bulk drums and high-volume storage. It is about 19 mm smaller each way than a 48 x 48.
- Footprint
- 1200 x 1200 mm
- Metric
- 1199 x 1199 mm
- Deck area
- 15.5 sq ft
- Typical use
- Large bags, bulk drums, high-volume storage
What 1200 x 1200 is for
At 1200 by 1200 mm the pallet is a 47.2 inch square, so it is very close to a 48 x 48 and it is easy to confuse the two on a dock. The listed uses are large bags, bulk drums and high-volume storage, which are loads that fill the deck and run heavy.
Because those loads are heavy, the rating matters more than on a lighter footprint. A square pallet also has no short side to point at a rack, which means all four edges are candidates for the beams. Ask whether the pallet is rated for racking at all, and treat the answer on the plate as the only answer.
Where it fits
| Use | Why it fits | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Big bags | Wide deck supports the bag base | Check the deck for bow |
| Bulk drums | Square deck holds a drum layout | Compare with 48 x 48 |
| High-volume storage | Stacks neatly | Read the static rating |
Deck area against the common footprints
Worked out in inches, 1200 x 1200 is 1199 by 1199 mm and 15.5 square feet of deck.
| Footprint | Deck area | Compared with GMA |
|---|---|---|
| 1200 x 1200 (this page) | 15.5 sq ft | 116% of a 48 x 40 |
| 48 x 40 | 13.3 sq ft | 100% of a 48 x 40 |
| 48 x 48 | 16.0 sq ft | 120% of a 48 x 40 |
| 45 x 45 | 14.1 sq ft | 105% of a 48 x 40 |
| 43 x 43 | 12.8 sq ft | 96% of a 48 x 40 |
| 42 x 42 | 12.3 sq ft | 92% of a 48 x 40 |
What to watch in a used lot
A request for this footprint is answered with a written lot description. This site states no price and no stock list.
- Measure both sides, since a square pallet can hide a bent runner
- Compare against the 48 x 48 stock in the same yard
- Ask for the static and dynamic ratings
Moving a big square
A square deck 1200 mm on a side suits big bags and bulk drums but is awkward in a standard aisle. Check turning radius, door widths, and dock plates before you order. If your trailer is designed for 48 x 40 pallets, a pallet this large will waste floor, and the loading pattern may need to change. Ask the desk for a sample stack plan before committing to a full lot.
Edge and corner care
On a large square deck, corners take the worst blows from lift trucks because the pallet is hard to see around. Look for chipped corners, torn lead-ins and rounded edges, and ask how the pallets were handled on the way in. A corner that has lost its radius can snag a conveyor guard.
Questions to put to any seller
- Where did these pallets work, and what did they carry?
- How were they sorted, and who walked the lot?
- Are any welded, riveted or fitted with replacement parts?
- Can the maker's plate be photographed on several pallets?
- Will the description be sent in writing before payment is discussed?
Planning around the seasons
- Cold months bring brittle resin, so handle gently and avoid sharp drops.
- Warm months soften decks, so shorten stacks and keep loads in shade.
- Harvest, holiday and promotion peaks use pallets faster, so order earlier.
- Wet seasons add weight in the ribs, so allow a drying day before indoor use.
- Plan returns and exports for the weeks when dock space is free.
Walk-around checklist
The same four stops for every lot, in order. Tick each as you go.
- 1Deck: flat, no rocking on the floor
- 2Corners: surface gouges only
- 3Runners: whole along their length
- 4Fork pockets: open on the sides the footprint is used with
- Footprint measured: 1199 x 1199 mm
Words used on this page
- Dynamic load
- Weight a pallet carries while moving on a forklift, pallet jack or conveyor.
- Racking load
- Weight a pallet carries bridging an open span in unsupported racking. Often the lowest rating.
- Runners
- Bottom rails that touch the floor or rack and carry the load.
- Welding repair
- Plastic is hard to glue, so cracked parts are normally welded.
- Fork pocket
- Opening in the pallet where the forks go.
What the sources say
- HDPE is the most common resin in plastic pallets; PP is more rigid and the page recommends it for unsupported racking. nelsoncompany.com
- Static capacity is the highest of the three ratings; racking is often the lowest; dynamic is always lower than static. nelsoncompany.com
- Only pallets designed for unsupported racking carry a racking rating. nelsoncompany.com
- Rehrig Pacific's 40 x 48 rackable pallet weighs 44.2 lb with a dynamic rating of 4,000 lb, static 10,000 lb and edge rack 2,000 lb. rehrigpacific.com
How a request works
- Pick the footprint, then the grade you can live with.
- Say what the pallets will carry and how many you need.
- Read the written lot description that comes back.
- Agree the lot before anything moves.
The four grades, in a line each
- Like new. A few trips only. Clean, no cracks, no missing parts, deck and runners flat.
- Used and clean. Many trips, scuffs and colour variation, but whole and usable for general-purpose or closed-loop work.
- Repaired. A cracked or chipped part welded or swapped. Some designs use snap-lock parts for repair.
- Mixed lot. Mixed makers, colours and sizes sold by the truckload, sorted by footprint.
Questions people ask
What is 1200 x 1200 for?
Large bags, bulk drums and high-volume storage.
Is it the same as 48 x 48?
Almost. It is about 19 mm smaller each way.
Can it go in a rack?
Only if the plate gives a racking rating.
Ask for a lot
Pick a footprint and a grade. The reply describes a matched lot in writing.