Fork entry refers to how a forklift can engage a pallet (two-way, partial-four-way, or four-way).
Detailed Definition
On a two-way pallet, forks enter only at the two ends, between the stringers, which is the standard stringer pallet layout. Cutting notches in the stringers gives partial four-way entry: forklift tines can also enter from the sides, but pallet jacks usually cannot because the bottom deck boards block their wheels. Full four-way entry, typical of block pallets, gives forklifts full openings on every side.
Matching fork entry to your equipment
Fork entry matters most when equipment changes. A counterbalanced forklift can usually handle two-way, partial four-way or four-way pallets. A pallet jack or walkie needs openings with no bottom boards in the way, so it can only enter a double faced stringer pallet from its ends. Order pickers, conveyors and automated vehicles may need a specific entry side, so check the equipment maker's requirements and any customer routing guide.
Specifying and checking fork openings
- Opening height: enough clearance for forks or jack, checked on loaded pallets as well as empty ones.
- Notch size and position on notched stringers.
- Which sides are rated for lifting, since partial four-way pallets often carry less from the notched sides.
- Damage at entry points, such as split lead boards or broken notches, which shows up first on reused pallets.
Common fork entry problems
Much fork entry damage comes from forks striking boards instead of the openings, often when operators approach at an angle or with forks at the wrong height or spacing. Short forks that do not reach the far stringer or block can also crack deck boards. Training, good lighting at pick faces and fork spacing matched to the pallet reduce this damage. Track which entry points fail most often, since that points to the cause.
Authoritative Sources
- Material Handling Institute (MHI): the largest US trade association for material handling, logistics, and supply chain technologies.
- National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA): the US trade association representing wood pallet manufacturers, recyclers, and component producers, founded in 1947.
Related Glossary Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a pallet jack enter a partial four-way pallet from the side?
Usually not. The notches in a partial four-way pallet let forklift tines pass through the stringers, but a pallet jack also needs room for its load wheels to drop to the floor. On a double faced stringer pallet, the bottom deck boards sit in the way, so a jack can only enter from the two ends. If your operation needs pallet jack access from every side, specify a block pallet or another design with open bottom channels.
Does fork entry affect how a pallet sits in racking?
Yes. In most selective racking the pallet is placed so its main bearing members span across the front and rear beams. For a 48 x 40 stringer pallet that usually means the forks enter at a 40 inch end and the 48 inch stringers run front to back across the beams. Turning the pallet the other way changes which members carry the load across the beams and can reduce support. Check the rack design and the pallet's racked rating together.