Banding your pallets properly is a key step in shipping goods safely from one place to another. While knowing how to band a pallet is not the hardest task in a warehouse, there are a few ways in which it can go wrong. With this post, we’d like to provide some basic tips to keep you on the right track each time to secure a pallet and send it on its way.
Start with Proper Packing
Before you even think about adding the banding to secure the load, you need to first prepare the pallet properly. There are a few key tips to keep in mind as you pile products on top of the pallet:
-Keep it even. It’s important to evenly distribute the weight of the load as much as possible. Loading up one side of the pallet with heavier items than the other side is only asking for trouble.
-Consider the packaging. Some products will be well-suited for placement directly on the pallet with very little packaging for protection and balance. That’s not the case for all goods, however, as fragile or awkward items will need to be packaged more thoroughly before loading.
-Know your limits. The pallets you are using will be rated to handle a given load, so you need to be sure not to exceed that limit. Some pallets can handle in excess of 4,000 pounds, but that is not the case for every model. Check the specs for your chosen pallets and keep those specs in mind while loading.
Practice Makes Perfect
Another preparatory step is to get to know your strapping equipment before you use it on an actual load. Practice placing the strapping in the tool, adding tension, applying a seal, and cutting the band. There may be a small learning curve, so make a few mistakes in practice and save yourself the headache of getting it wrong on an actual shipment.
Use the Pallet to Your Advantage
One of the challenges you face when banding a pallet is bringing together all of the items in the load into a single unit that will stay together throughout the journey. Try running your banding under the top boards of the pallet to add rigidity to the shipment as a whole. With banding applied tightly under the top boards and over the load, you’ll have a solid bundle that is ready for the road ahead.
Two Optional Steps
There are a couple of other steps you can take to improve the quality of your banded pallet. First, you might want to add supports on the edges where the banding goes over your items. For instance, if you have cardboard boxes packed on the pallet, using an edge protector will let you add more tension to the band without damaging those boxes.
Another step you should consider taking is using stretch wrapping. A layer of stretch wrap will keep everything together nicely in transit and can be particularly effective for loads where the banding can’t cover all of the individual pieces on the pallet directly.
Purchase the necessary supplies to securely band your pallets from Vulcan Wire! We offer high-quality, durable products to meet all of your banding needs.
Use the Right Equipment
One final tip on how to band a pallet successfully is to use the right equipment. By ordering from Vulcan Wire, you’ll be sure to get high-quality gear for competitive prices. From the strapping itself to tools like tensioners and sealers, we carry everything you need for efficient banding work. Shop now!
