Used 36 x 36 plastic pallets
Used 36 x 36 plastic pallets are a 914 mm square, the ninth most produced pallet size in the US across all materials. Plastic availability is not sourced here, so this page says how we handle a request.
- Footprint
- 36 x 36 in (914 mm square)
- Metric
- 914 x 914 mm
- Deck area
- 9.0 sq ft
- Rank
- Ninth most produced pallet size in the US (all materials)
What 36 x 36 is for
A 36 x 36 inch pallet is a small square, about 9 square feet, which is 68 percent of the deck area of a 48 x 40. It is listed in the sources as the ninth most produced pallet size in the US across all materials. That ranking is for all materials, and it says nothing about plastic.
The sources we use do not say how many 36 x 36 plastic pallets are in the used market. We do not guess. A request for this size is answered either with a lot description or with a plain no, and the reply does not stretch to fit.
Where it fits
| Use | Why it fits | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Small loads | A small deck | Ask for the load weight |
| Narrow spaces | Less floor area | Check the truck pattern |
| Display bases | Square and compact | Compare with the half pallets |
Deck area against the common footprints
Worked out in inches, 36 x 36 is 914 by 914 mm and 9.0 square feet of deck.
| Footprint | Deck area | Compared with GMA |
|---|---|---|
| 36 x 36 (this page) | 9.0 sq ft | 68% 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 it, because 36 x 36 is easy to mistake for a 40 x 40
- Ask whether the lot is a single maker
- Do not expect rack ratings on a small pallet
A footprint with a narrow job
Few buyers need a 36 x 36, and those who do usually know why: a rack bay, a drum arrangement or a cell in a plant sized to it. Because the footprint is uncommon, a lot may be small, so say how many you need and whether you can take a mix of makers. Measure your bay before you ask, and give the reply the measurement in inches so it is not guessed from the name.
Square pallets have no long side, so ask which sides take the forks and whether all four do. A four-way entry makes the pallet easier to turn, and a two-way entry means the load has to be approached from the right direction.
Check the room, not the label
Measure the opening it is meant to fit, with the load on top, not just the pallet. A 36 x 36 pallet with a load that overhangs by two inches no longer fits a 36 inch slot. Measure the load and the clearance on both sides, and tell the desk the numbers.
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: 914 x 914 mm
Words used on this page
- Welding repair
- Plastic is hard to glue, so cracked parts are normally welded.
- Fork pocket
- Opening in the pallet where the forks go.
- Runners
- Bottom rails that touch the floor or rack and carry the load.
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
- That Nelson model is under 5 in tall, which the page says suits air freight, and works with automation and most roller conveyors. nelsoncompany.com
- An ICC article says unlisted plastic pallets may require raising the commodity hazard class by two classes, and gives an example needing about 55 percent more sprinkler water. iccsafe.org
- A 48 x 40 pallet fits 30 stacks in a turned pattern on a 53 ft dry van, per one supplier. nelsoncompany.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
How common is 36 x 36?
It is the ninth most produced pallet size in the US across all materials. Plastic availability is not sourced here.
Do you have 36 x 36 in stock?
This site publishes no stock list. A request gets a lot description or a plain no.
Is it the same as 40 x 40?
No. It is four inches smaller each way.
Ask for a lot
Pick a footprint and a grade. The reply describes a matched lot in writing.