The Big Move: How to Find the Right Pallet Handling Solution

Having to convey a pallet can be a daunting task. The pallets are bulky, often very heavy, and awkward to move. Creating a material handling design can be easy, once you know the product, facility’s environment, and the various conveyor options available.

What are you conveying?

You must first know exactly what you are trying to convey. Does it use a stringer, block, or footed pallet? How heavy is the product? The type and orientation of the pallet affects how it will be conveyed. These questions will need to be answered to determine which conveyor will work best for your system.

Where is it going to be conveyed?

Learn about the environment where the conveyor will reside. Does it need to withstand excessive temperatures? Will the conveyor be housed in a damp environment or be around water? The conveyor must be built to withstand various elements.

Pallet handling conveyor options

Once you know about the product and the environment it’s going to be conveyed in, you can begin researching the various pallet handling options available.

Drag chain. Drag chain conveyors are used for heavy-duty pallet handling and are a good solution for loads that are not easily conveyed on roller conveyors. They can be configured as heavy-duty straight conveyors and integrate with Hytrol’s EZLogic® accumulation technology. These conveyors can handle load capacities of up to 6,000 lbs. and work in areas with increased temperatures.

Gravity. Gravity conveyors are non-powered and utilize the Earth’s gravity to move products. They provide an economic material handling solution and are easy to install and relocate since they do not contain motorized parts. These conveyors use rollers or ball transfer tables to transport items. Their versatility, ease, and economic design have resulted in gravity conveyors becoming the most common conveyor used in the world.

Chain driven live roller. Chain driven live roller conveyors use a chain to drive the rollers and provide the power needed to move pallets. This heavy-duty roller conveyor can be integrated with transfers for angled transfer in a roller conveyor system. They work best for high load capacities and dirty or oily environments.

Poly-V. Poly-V belt driven live roller conveyors, also called PLV, are an ideal solution for pallets, drums, or other bulk loads. They are optimal for light-duty pallet handling when low maintenance or a quieter conveyor is needed. The design of a poly-V belt creates a smooth, vibration-free solution with a long life. These conveyors are used for light- to heavy-duty pallet handling and have reduced noise levels.

Understanding your product and environment will help you choose the best pallet handling solution for your conveyor system. Hytrol specialists, along with our network of integration partners, can help you decide on which conveyor options work best for your project.

For more information on Hytrol’s line of pallet conveyors, contact Greg Newsom.