If you don&#;t live and breathe pallets the way we do at Conner, you may not know the difference between 2-way vs 4-way pallets.  It&#;s one of the most frequently asked questions we get from people who are interested in purchasing pallets from us.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Maxrac.

Fortunately, the answer is pretty simple.

2-Way vs 4-Way Pallets: What Does That Mean?

All wooden pallets are built to be either 2-way or 4-way pallets.  The construction for each type of pallet is different, and the difference all comes down to how the pallet can be picked up.  Forklift tines and hand truck tines must get under a pallet in order to lift it up and move it.  How those tines can enter a pallet and get under it determine whether it is a 2-way vs 4-way.

Stringer pallets, with solid stringer boards, only have an opening on two sides where tines can enter.  Stringers are the horizontal boards that support the pallet&#;s deck.  Stringer pallets typically have one middle stringer and stringers on each side.  When these stringers are solid, without notches cut into them, forklift tines can&#;t enter the pallet through the stringer sides.

If a forklift or hand truck can only get under a pallet on two sides, then it is a 2-way pallet.

On the other hand, stringer pallets with notched stringers allow the tines to enter on all four sides of the pallet.  If a forklift or hand truck can get under a pallet on all four sides, then it is a 4-way pallet.

Block pallets use blocks to support the deck, rather than stringers.  Block pallets are also 4-way pallets because the tines of a forklift or hand truck can enter the pallet on all four sides.  The image at the top of this page is of a 4-way block pallet with a hand truck.

2-Way vs 4-Way Pallets &#; Which is Better?

Both types of pallets are used in a wide variety of manufacturing and commercial applications.  The major reason why one type of pallet would be chosen over the other is how that pallet will be handled and what works best for a particular facility and application needed.

In many cases, the equipment or layout of the facility makes one type of pallet better than the other for that manufacturer.  If space is at a premium, a 4-way pallet may make more sense because palletized products can be moved within the facility more easily with less space.

• 2-way pallets are generally more economical to manufacture.
• Forklifts need more space to maneuver to line up and get under a 2-way pallet.
• Palletized products must be lined up in a particular way at the facility, or on a truck, to allow the movement of 2-way pallets. That makes full space utilization more difficult.
• Some types of manufacturing automation only accept 4-way pallets.

Wrapping It Up

That&#;s all there is to it.  The difference between 2-way vs 4-way pallets boils down to how many sides on which a forklift or hand truck can enter the pallet &#; simple as that.  Choosing the right type of pallet will largely depend on the specific needs of your facility, how much space you have, and how the pallet will be used.  Our design team can help you figure that part out whenever you&#;re ready.

The Pallet Guys are here to help you better understand the differences between 2-way and 4-way pallets!

All of us at The Pallet Guys understand that many business leaders don&#;t necessarily live and breathe pallets like we do. This means that you may not be fully aware of certain things like the differences between 2-way and 4-way pallets.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of four way pallet company. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

We frequently get asked this type of question from our new clients that are inquiring about pallet purchases, and the good news is that the answer is really simple!

What Does It Mean For A Pallet To Be 2 And 4 Ways?

New wood pallets are always constructed to be either 2-way or 4-way pallets, and it&#;s important to understand that this directly relates to how the new pallet is constructed. The major difference between these two types of pallet construction are the ways in which the pallet can be picked up via forklift tines and hand trucks.

So the ways in which forklift tines can get underneath a pallet and lift it will ultimately determine whether the pallet is a 2-way or 4-way option.

2-Way Pallets

2-way pallets are also referred to as stringer pallets, and these pallets will have openings on two sides where forklift tines will be capable of entering. Pallet stringers are the boards that lay horizontally on a pallet and support the pallet&#;s deckboards.

Most 2-way stringer pallets will have two stringers on each side of the pallet, as well as a middle stringer that helps bolster the pallet&#;s weight capacity limits. These pallets tend to be solid options for all businesses, and your forklifts will be able to enter on the stringer sides.

4-Way Pallets

4-way pallets are similar to 2-way stringer pallets, but the main difference is that these pallets will also entail notched stringers that allow forklift tines to enter on all four sides. So the technical definition of a 4-way pallet is any pallet that a hand truck or forklift can enter from all four sides.

Block pallets are also considered to be 4-way pallets because tines can enter underneath these pallets on all four sides.

Which Is Better?

Both 2-way and 4-way pallets are commonly utilized for a whole array of different commercial and manufacturing applications. Most businesses will make their decision between these two types of pallets based upon how they&#;ll be handling their pallets and what works best with their unique facility and needs.

There are many scenarios in which a facility&#;s layout or equipment will make one pallet type more favorable than the other. For instance, if you&#;re working within tight spaces then you&#;ll likely want 4-way pallets because you&#;ll be able to use less space while moving throughout your facility.

The following are some important considerations to keep in mind when it comes to understanding which type of pallet will work best for you and your company&#;s needs:

• 2-way pallets tend to be an economical option for many businesses, and they&#;re frequently more affordable as compared to 4-way pallets.

• Forklifts will require additional space to maneuver throughout your facility in order to properly get underneath 2-way pallets.

• Your products will potentially need to be lined up in a unique way on a truck or within your facility in order to improve your team&#;s efficiency while using 2-way pallets. This subsequently will make the utilization of your space a bit more difficult.

• There are certain types of automation throughout many industries that will only accept the use of 4-way pallets.

Reach Out To The Pallet Guys To Better Understand If 2-Way Or 4-Way Pallets Will Work Best For You!

The difference between 2-way and 4-way pallets is pretty simple in that it all comes down to how many sides a hand truck or forklift can enter underneath a pallet. However, it&#;s not so simple to understand which type of pallet will work best for you and your company&#;s unique needs. You&#;ll need to keep your facility&#;s functionality in mind, as well as how you&#;ll use your pallets and the amount of space you have.

The Pallet Guys are here to help you throughout these types of business investments, and our design team will be there for you through every step of the process to ultimately determine what&#;s the best type of pallet for your specific needs.

Contact us online or call us at 832-895- to get in touch with our pallet specialists and learn more about how 2-way and 4-way pallets can benefit your facility&#;s overall functionality!

If you want to learn more, please visit our website pallet rack weight capacity calculator.