THE 4-WAY VS.

THE 2-WAY PALLET: HOW

TO CHOOSE A PALLET TYPE

Blog Jul

Plastic Pallet Benefits over Wood 3

2019

ARTICLE UPDATED ON
SEPTEMBER 29, 2023

The 4-Way vs. The 2-

Way Pallet: How to
Choose a Pallet Type
When comparing the 4-way pallet to
the 2-way pallet, it becomes evident
that their main distinction lies in the
forklift entry capability. The 2-way
pallet can only be accessed by a
forklift from two sides, whereas the 4-
way pallet allows forklift access from
all four sides.

This dissimilarity in design has

implications for the usage of each
pallet type, including how and
sometimes where they are employed.
In situations where space is limited,
opting for a 4-way pallet may be more
advantageous, as it simplifies the
transportation process using a forklift.
On the other hand, if cost is a greater
concern and pallet movement is
expected to be minimal, a 2-way
pallet could serve as a viable
alternative.

Before establishing a fleet of pallets, it

is crucial to carefully consider the
disparities in cost, durability, and
capacity between these fundamental
pallet types.

Choosing a 4-Way vs.

a 2-Way Pallet: Pros
and Cons
The most apparent benefit of a 4-way
pallet is that a forklift operator can lift
it from any side. However, because of
its design, the 4-way pallet has other
advantages that distinguish it from a
2-way pallet as well. It’s important to
note that there are two different types
of 4-way pallets: partial 4-way pallets
have notched stringers on one side
that allow them to be picked up from
any side by most forklifts, but from
only two sides by a pallet jack. A true
4-way pallet (almost always a block
pallet) can be picked up by either a
forklift or pallet jack from any side.

4-Way Block Pallets

Pros Cons

Highest durability:Of the three types of Expensive: Block pallets are often the
pallets, block pallets are the most most expensive as they require more
durable due to their design and the high- wood and their design is more complex.
quality wood generally used.
Heavy: A 4-way block pallet can weigh
Highest weight capacity: The 4-way anywhere from 65 to 80 pounds. This
block pallet has a static capacity of 2,800 increases the weight of a truckload of
pounds, higher than its 2-way or partial 4- pallets, driving up transportation costs.
way counterparts.
Improved operational efficiency: 4-way
block pallets combine higher durability and
strength with the convenience and other
advantages of true 4-way entry.
Partial 4-Way Pallets
Pros
Uses space effectively: As forklift entry
can occur from any side with a 4-way
pallet, they don’t require special storage
orientation to allow forklift operators to
lift them.
More pallets per truckload: The flexibility
of a 4-way pallet also extends to the back
of the semi-truck, where more pallets can
be stored since they don’t require special
orientation for unloading.
Enhanced supply chain speed: Forklift
operators can quickly move 4-way pallets
without worrying about maneuvering to
approach them from a specific angle,
speeding up that loading and unloading
times and reducing labor costs.
2-Way Pallets
Wasteful: 4-way block pallets are often
made from hardwood trees. These trees
take decades to grow, so it’s not possible
to replace them at the same rate that
they’re being cut down.
Cons
Lower durability: The notches in a
pallet’s stringers allow forklift operators
to enter them from every side, but also
weakens the pallet and increases the
likelihood of damage.
Lower weight capacity: Again, due to
their notched stringers, partial 4-way
pallets can’t carry as much weight as their
two-way or block pallet counterparts.
Higher cost: Because of the additional
effort involved in adding notches, a partial
4-way stringer pallet will cost more than a
2-way pallet (though still not as much as a
block pallet).
Pros Cons

Enhanced durability: The stringers in a Poor warehouse space utilization: 2-

2-way pallet are solid from end to end, way pallets require a storage
meaning that they are stronger and less arrangement that takes into
prone to breakage than pallets whose consideration the fact that they can only
stringers have been notched. be entered from either the front or back.

Mid-level weight capacity: A 2-way pallet
can typically carry more weight than a 4-
way stringer pallet.Lower cost: As the
design of a 2-way pallet is simpler than that
of a true or partial 4-way pallet, they’re
easier to manufacture and the cost is lower
at purchase.
Reduced loads: These pallets must be
placed in the truck in such a way that they
are accessible to a forklift or pallet jack.
This limits the way the load can be
arranged, which causes each truck to carry
fewer pallets of goods in one load.
Reduced supply chain
efficiency: Individuals moving 2-way
pallets must spend more time maneuvering
around them to lift them properly, which
wastes time and ultimately increases labor
costs.

Comparing 4-way vs. 2-way pallets

makes it clear that each of these
types of pallets has its benefits and
disadvantages. Choosing one type
over the other is a matter of
prioritizing which pallet characteristic
is most important for a company or
industry. However, the choice doesn’t
have to be between a typical
wood block pallet and a stringer
pallet. There are alternative materials,
such as plastic, that are being used to
create pallets that have all the
advantages of both 4-way and 2-way
pallets – with very few of the
drawbacks.
How Plastic Pallets
Eliminate the
Downsides of 4-Way
Platforms

If it weren’t for the limitations of 4-way

block pallets, most businesses would
opt to use them. They allow for
greater flexibility, efficiency, and
storage capacity. And they last longer
than 2-way pallets and are less likely
to be rejected by retailers due to their
condition. However, they have plenty
of drawbacks as well, such as their
heavy weight, high expense, and
decreased environmental
sustainability. Plastic 4-way pallets
are designed to provide warehouse
and logistics managers with the
benefits of a wood block pallet while
addressing the downsides.

Since plastic pallets can be shaped

into whatever form is most useful,
most plastic pallets are designed for
true 4-way entry. Plastic pallets don’t
use fasteners, which makes them
less likely to fail or fall apart than a 2-
way or 4-way wood pallet. Their
unibody construction and resilient
plastic material also allow plastic
pallets to carry more weight — as
much as 5,000 pounds of dynamic
weight with an evenly distributed load.
The pallets themselves are up to 35%
lighter than their wood counterparts,
which means that more inventory can
be carried in each truckload while
burning less fuel.

When comparing the 4-way vs the 2-

way pallet, it’s easy to see that 4-way
pallets are superior: they are simply
more efficient and more versatile.
However, plastic pallets provide the
same efficiency and versatility while
minimizing the drawbacks of a wood
4-way pallet. Lighter, stronger, more
resilient plastic pallets help
manufacturers reduce their Total Cost
of Business (TCOB) by enhancing
efficiency in the supply chain and
conserving space on the warehouse
floor while, at the same time,
providing a slew of benefits that wood
pallets can’t match.

Companies looking to enhance the

efficiency of their pallets use iGPS
plastic pallets for all their shipping
needs. Our lightweight, recyclable
plastic pallets incorporate RFID
technology, making them traceable
throughout a supply chain. For
more information, contact us at 1-
866-556-8611, email a specialist
at switch@igps.net, or visit
our contact page