Used injection moulded plastic pallets
Used injection moulded plastic pallets are made by forcing molten resin into a mould at high pressure, one of six processes used for plastic pallets. The process leaves signs a buyer can read, such as raised part numbers and snap-lock joints.
- Process
- High-pressure injection molding
- Example
- Rehrig 40 x 48 rackable
- Design example
- Two-piece snap-lock for quick repair
- Six processes
- Injection, structural foam, thermoforming, compression, rotational, profile extrusion
Six ways to make a pallet
| Process | How it works | What you see on a pallet |
|---|---|---|
| Injection moulding | Molten resin forced into a mould at high pressure | Raised numbers, crisp ribs, snap-lock seams |
| Structural foam | Low-pressure moulding where a blowing agent expands the resin | A foamed core; ask the maker for the process |
| Thermoforming | Heated plastic sheet formed over a mould | Lighter pallets, thin walls |
| Compression moulding | Resin pressed in a closed mould | Ask the maker which process was used |
| Rotational moulding | Resin heated in a rotating mould for a hollow part with no joint | No seams |
| Profile extrusion | Resin pushed through a die to make long shapes | Long, constant sections |
Why injection moulded is easy to repair
A two-piece snap-lock design lets a cracked part be swapped for a new one for quick repair. That makes injection moulded pallets friendlier to reconditioners. On the buyer's side it means you should look for the part that is a different shade, because it marks a swap.
Reading moulding marks
Raised logos, part numbers and mould marks are the maker's. They are not owner marks. A buyer can use them to ask the maker for the rating of the exact model, which is the best use of a part number.
- Photograph part numbers
- Ask the maker for the model's ratings
- Note any logo that looks like an owner's
How moulding shows in wear
An injection-moulded pallet is shaped in one piece, so cracks tend to start at corners, ribs and gates where the plastic flowed last. Look at the inside faces of the ribs, the root of each runner and the area around any moulded-in number. Moulded numbers and marks also tell you the maker and the date of manufacture on many designs, which helps with matching a lot and with checking a rating against the maker's list.
Gates, flash and parting lines
Look for the gate, a small round or flat scar where resin entered the mould, and the parting line where the two halves of the mould met. They are normal. A thin fringe of extra plastic called flash along a parting line is a sign of a worn tool or a fast cycle, and heavy flash can snag on conveyor rollers. Chips around the gate can start cracks, so run a finger over them when you walk a lot.
Safe handling at the stack
- Lift with the tines fully under the load and tilt back slightly before travelling.
- Never climb a stack, and never stand beside one while it is being moved.
- Take a damaged pallet out of service at once and tag it, so nobody reloads it.
- Keep stack heights even and edges square, since a leaning stack feeds on itself.
- Match tine length to the pallet, because short tines can crack the underside of a deck.
Training the dock crew
- Show new staff three pallets: one acceptable, one marginal, one rejected.
- Agree on words for faults, such as crack, gouge, bow and dish, and use them.
- Tell people to stop and ask when a pallet carries any mark they do not recognise.
- Remind drivers to enter pockets squarely, since angled entry splits the pocket wall.
- Walk the dock together once a month and compare notes.
Walk-around checklist
The same four stops for every lot, in order. Tick each as you go.
- 1Deck: flat, clean mould lines
- 2Corners: corners square, no chips
- 3Runners: snap-lock joints seated
- 4Fork pockets: pockets open
- Part numbers photographed
Words used on this page
- Structural foam
- Low-pressure moulding where a blowing agent expands the resin in the mould.
- Thermoforming
- Heated plastic sheet formed over a mould; lighter pallets.
- Rotational moulding
- Resin heated in a rotating mould to make a hollow joint-free part.
- Fork pocket
- Opening in the pallet where the forks go.
- Rackable
- Rated to sit on rack beams, with a stated racking load.
What the sources say
- Plastic pallets are made by injection molding, structural foam molding, thermoforming, compression molding, rotational molding and profile extrusion. en.wikipedia.org
- Rehrig Pacific's rackable pallet has a two-piece snap-lock design for quick repair and options for FDA-approved colours, RFID and up to 15 percent black recycled content. rehrigpacific.com
- Rehrig Pacific's 40 x 48 rackable pallet is high-pressure injection molded co-polymer polypropylene, with 540 per 53 ft trailer. rehrigpacific.com
- Plastic pallets can deform (creep) under heavy long-term loads and are hard to repair. en.wikipedia.org
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
Is injection moulded better?
It is one of six processes. The pallet's design and rating matter more.
Can a snap-lock part be swapped?
Some designs are made for it, such as the two-piece snap-lock on one rackable pallet.
How do I find the rating?
Use the part number to ask the maker.
Ask for a lot
Pick a footprint and a grade. The reply describes a matched lot in writing.