Why the pallet weight is crucial

“Can you please tell me the dimensions and weight of the pallets to be transported?” is a question that forwarding companies often ask before containers or pallets are collected. The dimensions are easy, but what about the weight? The transport costs in freight transport depend, among other things, on the weight or volume of the load. The chargeable weight is decisive in determining the total costs. Many transport service providers offer online calculators to determine the pallet weight, but especially when it comes to different goods on one pallet, these tools reach their limits.

Why it is practical in many ways to know the pallet weight

Not only to be able to calculate the transport costs, but also when loading into the company’s own lorry, it is advisable to weigh the pallets so as not to exceed the permissible axle weight. In addition, the weight of the pallet can be used to easily determine how many packages have already been loaded onto the pallet – there is no need for laborious counting.

Many companies therefore have permanently installed floor scales. In order to be able to drive onto them at ground level with a pallet truck, a scale pit is first needed into which the floor scale is then “lowered”.

For companies that do not have the possibility to install a floor scale, there are pallet scales. These are mobile and can be used at different locations thanks to rollers and a handle. Especially for smaller companies, the pallet scale is a good solution.

Static and dynamic load capacity

Before loading the pallet, you should know what weight the pallet can actually bear. A distinction is made here between static payload and dynamic payload.

Static load capacity

This is always the maximum load when the pallet is stationary on the floor. The static load capacity is always given with a (sometimes significantly) higher value. The static load capacity indicates how much weight the pallet can withstand in static, i.e. stationary, compression weight before it gives way. An example: The lowest pallet on the floor has a static load capacity of 4,000 kg. It is also possible to load 1,000 kg on the pallet and 3 more pallets with 1,000 kg would then be stacked on the pallet.

The dynamic payload

As a rule, however, a pallet is moved, it serves as the lowest component of a load unit for transport. So if your pallet is to be transported loaded in any way, always use the dynamic load capacity as a guide. This indicates how much weight the pallet can bear when moving, for example on the forks of a pallet truck or forklift. In addition, there is also the rack load, i.e. the maximum load that a pallet can carry in the rack. This is specified because the pallet in the rack usually only has two support points, provided that the pallet is loaded evenly.

Overview of the payloads of various pallets

In the following overview we have compiled the payloads of the various pallets as a selection aid. Attention: The pallet with the Euro 1 dimensions 1200mm x 800mm is always compared here – the payloads of other sizes vary!

Determine pallet weight

A mobile pallet scale is the ideal solution for companies that do not regularly load pallets, but also for larger companies that would like to weigh pallets on the move. Thanks to battery operation (optional), flat and compact design as well as the two castors, the device can easily be pushed to the different places of use by means of a handle. The scale itself is relatively lightweight and weighs only 51 kg. Here the mountain can come to the prophet, but also the prophet to the mountain! The weight is determined on the weighing bridge in 200g steps or 500g steps (depending on the model) and output via the evaluation unit. Thanks to practical additional functions, for example, a lower and an upper limit value can be entered: it is possible to load until an optical and acoustic signal informs the user when the upper limit value has been reached (checkweighing). The weight of a single packaged good can also be entered in advance; the output device can then be used to switch back and forth between the total weight and the number of pieces reached.

A weighing pallet truck is also a practical and mobile way to determine the net weight of the goods as well as the weight of the pallet.