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3 Important Pallet Definitions: Dynamic, Static and Racking

1/29/2015

 
What are three of the most important words in the pallet dictionary?
  • Dynamic
  • Static
  • Racking 

What do these pallet industry words mean when it comes to your unit load capacity? Lets find out.
​  
Dynamic Load

A dynamic load refers to the weight that is placed on an object and then put in motion.
 For example, a pallet rated for a dynamic load of 2000 lbs means you can put up to 2000 lbs. of an evenly distributed product on the pallet. Then the pallet could be placed on a conveyor system or be moved around a warehouse by a forklift. 
Dynamic Load
Static Load

A static load is defined as a non-varying load; when weight is placed on an object that is kept at rest. 
An example of a static load would be a set of pallets that are stacked two or three pallets high. If each pallet had 1000 lbs on it, then the bottom pallet would have a grand total of 3000 lbs. A static load rating refers to a pallet's load rating while the pallet is at rest, in this case the bottom pallet of the stack. Since the palletized load is not being subjected to over forces such as forklift forks, or conveyor rollers the static load rating exceeds the dynamic rating.
Static Load
Racking Load

A racking load is the strength load rating for when a pallet is placed in a racked system. 
Racking load ratings should be taken as an estimation, as a customer’s warehouse racking system can be very individualized. The racking load rating can be verified by a testing lab that can simulate the conditions that each customer use. 
​
pallet racking

​Do you have questions about the different types of pallet loads? If so, leave me a message below and I will answer your question.

Post by: Jonathan Haynes, Sales Representative
Shashank jain
2/12/2018 10:09:34 am

Is their any instrument to measure laod bearing capacity of the pallet both dynamic and static.

Jonathan Haynes link
2/12/2018 10:53:08 am

Good morning Shashank, the load ratings are normally measured with load cells or scales. Depending on which lab is providing the testing, these scales would vary based on the size of the pallet and load being tested. Testing for a static load would simulate having the pallet sit on a flat surface while the load is being applied to the top deck. The dynamic rating tests would require a variety of handling situations such as forklift forks, conveyor systems, uneven storage, and other types of situations. The same load cells or scales could be used for either testing, only the handling situation would be different. Do you have pallets that need to be tested for load ratings? Thanks for writing into the blog!

Suzanne Dennis
4/3/2018 12:47:32 pm

Is there a mathematical relationship between static and dynamic loads? for example - if I had the static load weight, could I calculate the dynamic load weight?

Jonathan Haynes link
4/3/2018 02:16:11 pm

Hello Suzanne, I'm sure there are some formulas to calculate this information, however it would be unique to each pallet design and the way the pallet would be handled during it's lifecycle. The dynamic rating could change based on what types of products would be placed on the pallet as well as the type of forklift or pallet jack that would be handling the unit load. The dynamic and static ratings on pallets are safe estimations for a pallet design, but to ensure proper handling, any pallet design should be tested. Careful testing of the handling environment would ensure that the pallet could safely transport your products in the supply chain. What types of products are you shipping?

Len D’heygere
11/27/2018 05:37:11 am

And how do you test them? The ISO 8611 that we perform here at our institute makes no notion of these loads.

Jonathan Haynes
11/30/2018 08:47:02 am

Greetings Len, the ISO test is likely looking for a different strength rating than what pallet industry terms would consider a dynamic rating. The dynamic rating would need to take multiple factors into the equation such as the type of product being placed on the pallet, , how the product is packaged, any load stabilizers such as banding or stretch wrap, and what types of material handling equipment would be used in transporting the palletized unit load. This dynamic rating could be unique to a particular warehouse environment.

Len D’heygere
12/10/2018 05:11:53 am

Hi Jonathan, thank you for your answer. (I coudl not reply on your answer 11/30/2018 08:47:02 am)
It is indeed what I would expect. Still you can find this Dynamic Load on lots of technical sheets of pallet products. So for commercial use, this dynamic load isn't that unique...
We received a question from a client, who wants to determine his dynamic load of his new pallet design. So basicly you are saying that there is no standard test and this dynamic load is more an indication then the result from a standard test.
Can this dynamic and static load be derived from the tests in ISO 8611?

Erralyn Corral
5/17/2018 01:55:07 am

Hi,
Is metal reinforcement still acceptable in the pallet technology? Would you still recommend use of this in a food manufacturing? Thanks.

Jonathan Haynes
5/17/2018 12:00:45 pm

Greetings Erralyn, yes metal reinforcement is still acceptable for certain applications. It has lost some popularity as it is more expensive to recycle a metal reinforced pallet than other designs. Are you currently using pallets that need to be reinforced for strength or durability?

VIjay kumar
3/27/2019 04:34:33 am

In-case of pallet kept on a flat surface in an export container.

what will be the load on the pallet, will it be dynamic or static?

Jonathan Haynes
3/27/2019 09:33:21 am

Hello Vijay, the situation you are describing would be considered a static load when it is sitting still. The dynamic load would be when the pallet is in motion being loaded into the container. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Thank you,

VIJAY KUAMR
3/28/2019 12:40:54 am

Thank You very much for the prompt response.

If two pallet are stacked (G+1) in a moving container trailer truck, does load experienced by ground level pallet and first level pallet will be static load ?

Thank you in anticipation.

Jonathan Haynes
3/28/2019 11:57:56 am

Hello Vijay, the pallets double stacked would experience similar static ratings if their support conditions are similar. For example if a pallet was placed on a palletized unit load that was flat and large enough to simulate being set on a floor then it's static load rating would be the same as if it were setting on a floor. The static rating would not be accurate though if there was an uneven surface, such as sandbag storage, conveyors, partially supported racking, or even a gravel lot that was uneven. During handling or (when poorly) stacked the strength rating would drop from the static rating, this amount of drop would depend on the unique storage area. Are you encountering problems with pallets not meeting the weights placed on them?

VIJAY KUMAR
3/29/2019 12:35:16 am

In Our case : Material is dispatched in 25 kg bags and each 25 kg bag is unitized into a lot by interlock stacking, 40 bags in plastic pallet and secured them using shrink warp and straps. G+1 stacking of pallets inside the export container. And 4-way open block type plastic pallets are used with rated dynamic capacity of 1 ton and static capacity 2 ton.

At destination excessive buckling and deformation of bottom plank of plastic pallet is observer.

I suppose the deformation is due to uneven surface of bags formed during transit.

Does using a reversible type pallet which has more surface area will reduce damage?

or using a pallet lid which will create a uniform top surface for G+1 level pallet.

Any suggestion to avoid transit damage.

Luis
6/20/2019 12:01:57 am

Sorry for the newbie question, but can you explain why racking load is much less than dynamic? It doesnt make sense to me, as putting the pallet in a higher place wont cause more tension...

Daniel
9/27/2019 12:09:13 pm

So if a pallet is rated as a static load capacity for 2000lbs, what is the dynamic load capacity then? Because my safety officer tells me there is no difference unless the pallet is lifted over 4ft in the air by a lift truck. I thought no matter what, the dynamic load is as soon as the pallet leaves the ground and becomes mobile
Thanks!


Comments are closed.
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