Pallet Handling Conveyors

Pallet Handling Conveyors are similar to package handling conveyors except for their size and capacity. Varying sizes of pallets and loads can be accommodated, however, a consistent size is much easier to deal with than a variety of different sizes of pallets. Pallets of virtually any weight can be accommodated. Larger diameter and heavier gauge rollers, plus heavier duty driving systems are characteristics of these types of conveyors. Vertical movement is always done with a vertical conveyor of some sort.

Types of loads include loads that are conveyed include:

• Loads that do not have any conveying medium under the load which are referred to as Unit Loads.
• Loads that have a slip sheet under the product load.
• Loads that have plastic pallets under the product load.
• Loads that have wooden pallets under the load.
• Loads that have special carrying devices such as metal frames under the load.

It is important to determine the maximum load that is to be conveyed. It is also important to determine if that load is equally loaded on the carrying medium or if it is concentrated under only a portion of the load. This will determine the load carrying surface of the conveyor relative to weight carried per inch.

When conveying pallets or loads with uneven bottoms, it is critical that you understand how the load is traveling down the conveyor. For example: sometimes rollers are sufficient to carry the load, sometimes chains are necessary and sometimes a solid surface is required because of the load carrying surface.

It is also necessary to understand how the product load will be placed onto the conveyor. Examples include loading the conveyor with a crane or with a Fork Truck. This requires an analysis of impact loading and safety issues like Fork Truck Barriers.