Pallet stacking is strategically placing all of the boxes for a shipment on a pallet. Properly stacking pallets is crucial to maintaining the integrity of your shipped goods and, more importantly, keeping your warehouse employees safe from the hazards that a poorly stacked pallet can impose.
Practicing proper pallet stacking is imperative if you operate a warehouse. It could make or break your reputation, ensure you’re earning money from your operation, and above all, keep your employees safe from haphazardly made pallet stacks. Familiarize yourself and your warehouse employees with these pallet stacking patterns and best practices so you can run a successful warehouse operation.
How Many Concrete Blocks Come on a Pallet at Home Depot?
72 8″ x 8″ x 16″ standard size concrete blocks come on a pallet at Home Depot. The weight of each block is around 34 pounds x 72 means the pallet weighs 2,448 lb. plus the weight of the pallet. A typical pallet at Home Depot weighs around 30 lb. so that makes around 2,478 lb.
Another way to look at how much a pallet of standard concrete blocks at Home Depot weighs is around 1 1/4 ton. That’s more weight than a standard size pickup and most HD trucks can hold in the bed. If you plan on picking up a pallet of cinder blocks yourself I recommend using a heavy duty trailer and towing them.
Home Depot typically uses the standard size 40″ x 48″ pallet. So if you want more blocks on the pallet you’ll have to stack them higher because there won’t be much room on the sides. I recommend staying around 48″. If you stack blocks much higher they start to get dangerous.
How Many Concrete Blocks Come on a Pallet at Lowes?
72 8″ x 8″ x 16″ standard size concrete blocks come on a pallet at Lowes. The weight of each block is around 34 pounds x 72 means the pallet weighs 2,448 lb. plus the weight of the pallet. A typical pallet at Lowes weighs around 30 lb. so that makes around 2,478 lb. Another way to look at how much a pallet of standard concrete blocks at Lowes weighs is around 1 1/4 ton. That’s more weight than a standard size pickup and most HD trucks can hold in the bed. If you plan on picking up a pallet of cinder blocks yourself I recommend using a heavy duty trailer and towing them.
Lowes typically uses the standard size 40″ x 48″ pallet. So if you want more blocks on the pallet you’ll have to stack them higher because there won’t be much room on the sides. I recommend staying around 48″. If you stack blocks much higher they start to get dangerous.
How to Stack Boxes on a Pallet?
1. Inspect Your Pallet As a crucial type of material handling equipment, your pallet is the true base of your structure. If there are any cracks or broken pieces, then your box structure will lean or fall. Take a second to inspect the pallet to make sure it is structurally sound. A great way to keep your pallets organized, safe, and all in one place is to try using a pallet rack.
2. Plan Your Pallet Stacking Pattern Take a look at what boxes are in the shipment order and what they contain. If they are all different sizes and weights, or all the same size box yet very heavy, you’re best off using a type of interlocking pattern. If the boxes are the same size and low-density, then a columnar stacking pattern is best.
3. Place Heaviest Boxes Down First Having the heaviest boxes on the bottom creates the most stable base, prevents lighter packages from getting crushed, and also creates a lower center of gravity for a stronger structure. Practice placing the boxes with the barcodes facing outwards so shippers and receivers can see what contents are in the boxes right away.
4. Line Up Boxes Close to the Edge When placing your first layer, bring the boxes as close to the edges as possible without them overhanging at all. Each layer should then line up with the first layer so no overhang happens as you build upwards. When boxes hang over the pallet, the box strength can reduce by 30% or more, not to mention possible freight damage while shipping and handling.
5. Fasten with Straps Now that your boxes are all set on the pallet, you need to fasten them onto the pallet using strapping bands. Use heavy-duty straps that are made from materials like polypropylene, polyester, or steel. Use two straps on either side to secure the load vertically and horizontally. There should not be more than 3 inches of space between the box and the pallet or else the strap cannot secure down the bottom boxes and they will slide around during transit.
6. Secure with Shrinkwrap Once the boxes are strapped in, use shrink-wrap on the entire perimeter of the structure. You can do this by hand or invest in a shrink-wrap machine if shrink-wrapping is very common in your facility. A great alternative to shrink-wrap boxes instantly is with pre-made pallet covers.