Wood-Pallet Repair and Handling Equipment

Repair Options

• The simplest way to repair wood pallets is by combining functional components from two or more similar pallets. The most common type of wood-pallet breakage involves the top decking, which is made up of wood slats that distribute the weight of the pallet's load across the stringers that run below them. If the load is too heavy, or not centered on the pallet, one of the deck boards can break. However, this leaves the remaining deck boards unaffected and ready for reuse on another pallet with a similar problem.

New Wood

• You can also add lumber to repair wood pallets. This is an option if you don't have scrap pallets available or you want to repair several pallets at once. The lumber should be pressure treated if you plan to store or transport the pallet outdoors, where moisture and temperature fluctuation can cause untreated wood to warp. Measure the existing, unbroken deckboards or stringers to determine the size for replacement pallet boards.

Handling Needs

• Wood pallets are light enough to transport by hand, but only when you're not using them to carry a load of material. Once a pallet is carrying bags of soil, landscaping stone, bricks or other materials, you'll need a pallet truck or pallet jack to move it. Since wood pallets come in several standard sizes, most trucks and jacks will fit into your pallets and provide balanced support for transporting a heavy load.

Truck and Jack Types

• Several types of pallet trucks and jacks are available to choose from, based on your budget and handling needs. Some jacks feature pumps and rely on you to provide the force to move them on wheels or casters. Others are entirely self-propelled and motorized, using rechargeable batteries. Jacks are rated in terms of the load they can lift and transport safely. Most jacks and trucks only raise pallets a few inches to make it possible to transport them. Pallet lifts, which raise pallets several feet and also have wheels to transport them, are also available.