Pallet information - dimensions, prices and weight

• Fundamental distinctions
  • Uniform pallets
• euro pallets
  • Dimensions and weight, construction
  • Marking the Europool pallets
  • Classification according to condition and age
  • The exchange system
  • Prices for Europool pallets
• industrial pallets
• Dusseldorf pallets
• chemical pallets
• drum pallets
• Disposable pallets without standards
• applications
  • Projects in and around the house
  • Consider pallet quality

In addition to artists and furniture manufacturers, DIY enthusiasts have also discovered pallets and particularly Euro pallets for upcycling furniture and other applications. Learn everything to evaluate and buy pallets.

Pallets are indispensable in the transport industry. It is important to make efficient use of the transport volume. Over the past 50 years, dimensions of pallets and transport structures have developed that optimally match each other. Most of the pallets are made of wood. Several years ago, the first artists caused quite a stir when they "misused" these pallets. Meanwhile, the upcycling of pallets is also popular with furniture makers and do-it-yourselfers. However, to make the right choice of pallets, you need basic information about common pallets. We have compiled these below for you.

Fundamental distinctions

First, a distinction must be made between disposable and reusable pallets. One way pallets are characterized by a poorer processing, which is mainly reflected in a lower stability. After a single use, this pallet is disposed of. In addition, there are pallets that can be lifted from all four sides with pallet trucks or forklifts. These pallets are called 4-way pallets. Similarly, there are pallets that can only be lifted on two opposite sides - the 2-way pallets. In addition, not only wood is used as pallet material. The following materials are suitable for pallet construction:

• Wood
• plastic
• Combination of wood and plastic
• Cellulose (particularly stable cardboard)
• pressboard

Uniform pallets

In addition, a pallet exchange system has been established in most European countries. However, this requires stable pallets and a uniform design. Some state railways in the 1960s, including Deutsche Bahn, came up with the idea of ​​developing a range that was based on the dimensions of the cargo hold. That was the birth of the Euro pallet or Europool pallet as well as other uniform reusable pallets. Based on the dimensions of this pallet, further pallet shapes have become established:

• euro pallets
• Dusseldorf range
• industrial pallets
• chemical pallets
• drum pallets

euro pallets

The so-called Euro pallets are pallets from the EuroPool exchange system, which are standardized according to EN 13698-1 . This has many advantages.

Dimensions and weight, construction

Euro pallets are widely used. They are mainly made of wood. The dimensions are 1, 200 x 800 mm with a height of 144 mm. The transport area comes to 0.96 sqm. The weight varies between 20 and 25 kg (depending on whether wet or dry). The surface consists of five boards whose dimensions (width, distance to each other) are also defined. Thus, the gaps between the boards are uniform.

The pallet rests on blocks, which are fixed at the corners and in the middle. The outer blocks have a width of 100 mm and are 145 mm long. For better maneuvering, the outer blocks on the edge are also chamfered. The middle blocks are square with 145 mm in length and width. The area for driving in with the low-floor conveyor is 227.5 mm on the long side and 382.5 mm on the wide side. The Europool pallets are assembled with 78 nails. Of which 24 ordinary and 54 screw nails.

Marking the Europool pallets

The structure and board thicknesses allow a punctual load of up to 2, 000 kg. The total area of ​​a Euro pallet may be loaded with a maximum of 1, 000 kg . The pallets must be marked with different data. Until 2013, the pallets at the corner blocks were marked with "EUR", since then with "EPAL" . EPAL is one of the licensed pallet manufacturers whose pallets are widely used, especially in Germany. There are also WORLD (new brand), CHEP and LPR. On the middle block is the identification of the manufacturer or client, so for example DB for Deutsche Bahn. In addition, there are still these data on the middle block:

• Country of manufacture (eg D for Germany)
• Prüfgütezeichen
• Year of manufacture and month
• IPPC marking for pest-free wood
• Test nail for properly repaired pallets

Classification according to condition and age

Depending on the duration of use and the conditions of use, the condition may vary. In general, the Europool pallets are therefore divided into the following categories:

• New
• as new
• used and exchangeable
• consumed and no longer exchangeable
• repaired

Despite the simple rules, determining the condition is not easy. In Germany, therefore, the division of Euro pallets into first and second choice prevailed.

The exchange system

Traditionally, the pallets are exchanged. In other words, when picking up the goods, the carrier gives the client a change in exchange for each pallet ( Cologne exchange ). Often the taken pallets are also counted, then summarized as a large batch and replaced ( Bonner exchange ). The non-exchange of the pallet must be clear from the shipping documents. At the receiver, the carrier also exchanges the pallets again. He takes the appropriate amount with him according to the number of pallets left. If no pallets are available for exchange, the purchase can also be arranged.

Prices for Europool pallets

The price for a Euro pallet is a daily price. That is, it falls in real time and increases with supply and demand. Currently, the price of a euro pallet is around 10 euros . There are around 400 million euro pallets in circulation. There are apps on the Internet that help you pinpoint pallet prices. For this purpose as many inquiries and offers are analyzed. Make sure that the app uses as many providers and prices. Good apps also divide pallet prices in Germany to the north, south, east and west.

industrial pallets

Industrial pallets are similar to euro pallets but have different dimensions. Like the Euro pallets, these are standardized by the European Pallet Association, EPAL for short. The industrial pallets are therefore officially called Euro pallets Type 2 and Type 3. The difference between the two types lies in the dimensions.

Industrial pallet Euro pallet type 2

• Dimensions: 1, 200 x 1, 000 x 144 mm (length x width x height)
• Weight: 31 kg
• Load capacity: 1, 250 to 1, 500 kg dynamic, 3, 000 to 4, 000 kg static

Industrial pallet Euro pallet type 3

• Dimensions: 1, 200 x 1, 000 x 144 mm (length x width x height)
• Weight: 35 kg
• Load capacity: 1, 250 to 1, 500 kg dynamic, 3, 000 to 4, 000 kg static

Also, if the payloads are the same, they may be slightly higher for type 3 pallets. The deck and floor boards can be made of hard as well as softwood. As for the conventional Europool range, there are exchanges on the industrial pallet where prices can be requested.

Dusseldorf pallets

In 1985, pallets were introduced which, like the ordinary Euro pallets, were standardized but only half the size. These "half euro pallets" have also become well established and are now known as the Düsseldorf range. Officially, it is called Euro-pallet Type 6. The data of the Düsseldorfer Palette:

• Dimensions: 800 x 600 x 160 mm
• Weight: 10.5 kg
• Load capacity: maximum 1, 000 kg dynamic as well as static

As the Düsseldorf range is also a standardized range, daily prices can also be requested via appropriate apps and pallet exchanges.

chemical pallets

Chemical pallets are standardized according to VCI and AMPE. Then the exact requirements of the chemical industry are determined. Chemical pallets are available in various sizes, including the typical dimensions of Euro and industrial pallets:

• CP1: 1, 200 x 1, 000 mm, chemical products as bagged goods or in cartons
• CP2: 1, 200 x 800 mm, use in consumer-related areas and as an alternative to the Europool range
• CP3: 1, 114 x 1, 114 mm, for barrels, large pack units
• CP4: 1, 100 x 1, 300 mm, for bagged goods
• CP5: 760 x 1, 140 mm, for small general cargo
• CP6: 1, 200 x 1, 000 mm, cover sheets without joints, for bulk goods in bags
• CP7: 1, 300 x 1, 100 mm, for bulk goods in bags
• CP8: 1.140 x 1.140 mm, special cover sheet construction for containers and large containers
• CP9: 1, 140 x 1, 140 mm, for barrels, containers and flexible bulk packaging

Also for the different chemical pallets the prices can be requested accordingly. Like all other pallets, these are categorized according to their state and age and the prices can be requested via appropriate apps and stock exchanges.

drum pallets

Barrel pallets may correspond to the pallets listed above, such as industrial, chemical or Euro pallets. Otherwise, barrel pallets are constructed so that barrels can be transported without problems.

Disposable pallets without standards

Depending on the individual project, you can purchase and use the different pallets. The range of pallets is supplemented by plastic and various disposable pallets, such as pressboard or cardboard. Now these pallets can be purchased from the respective manufacturers.

applications

Due to the robust construction standardized Euro pallets are very well suited for projects in which they are completely misappropriated. First it was artists who first and foremost discovered the Euro-pallets. Soon the first furniture manufacturers came up with corresponding ideas and showed that there are certainly products in our economic life that can be upcycled. These concepts have long since made school and home improvement have taken on the transport pallets. As a very simple construction stacked pallets serve as a table or seat.

Projects in and around the house

On tables can be additionally attach roles on seats armrest and backrests. Even beds can be built on the same principle with Euro pallets. Standing and with the actual top to the wall shelves are then from the then transverse support boards on the Fußklötzen. Even as a terrace floor, the pallets are suitable. For this purpose, they are laid next to each other on punctiform foundation concrete blocks. Likewise, the pallets can be great used for kids - as a play area in the children or youth room or as a tree house, for example.

Consider pallet quality

Euro pallets are really versatile. The examples given are just a few ideas. There are no limits to the imagination of do-it-yourselfers. However, a distinction must be made between new and used pallets. For used pallets, care should be taken that the wood may be contaminated with chemicals or oils. New Euro pallets, however, offer excellent value for money and are made of healthy wood.