A stringer pallet with notches cut into the stringers to allow forklift entry from all four sides.
Detailed Definition
A partial four-way pallet is built like a standard stringer pallet, with three stringers carrying top and bottom deck boards, but each stringer has two notches cut along its bottom edge. The notches line up across the pallet so forklift tines can pass through from the sides. The typical GMA-style 48x40 pallet is built this way. Notch size, notch position and the remaining stringer depth are part of the pallet specification and should be stated when ordering.
Specifying the notches
A drawing for a partial four-way pallet should show stringer height and width, the length and depth of each notch, and its distance from the stringer ends. Bottom deck boards must be placed so they do not block the notch openings. Deeper notches give more room for tines but leave less wood in the stringer, so notch size is a trade-off between access and strength. If your forklifts have thick or wide tines, check that they fit the notch opening.
Inspecting partial four-way pallets
The notches are the weak point. When inspecting new or recycled pallets, look for:
- Cracks starting at the notch corners and running along the stringer.
- Split or missing wood at the bottom of the notch.
- Plates or companion stringers from earlier repairs, which may narrow the opening.
- Bottom boards shifted into the notch area.
Why buyers choose this design
Notched stringer pallets are usually simpler and cheaper to build and repair than block pallets, and they are widely used in US grocery and consumer goods distribution. The trade-off is limited pallet jack access and lower strength through the notches.
Related Glossary Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do stringers crack at the notches?
A notch removes wood from the stringer, leaving a thinner section that carries the same load, and its corners concentrate stress. Fork tines striking the notch edges, heavy loads lifted through the notches and rack spans can all start cracks there. Choosing adequate stringer size and grade, avoiding oversized notches and training drivers to center tines in the openings all reduce damage.
Can a two-way stringer pallet be notched later to make it partial four-way?
It is physically possible, but cutting notches into an existing pallet reduces its strength, and the stringers were not chosen with notches in mind. Knots or defects near the new notch can lead to early failure. If side entry is needed, it is usually better to order pallets designed and built as partial four-way, or to have any modified design checked for the loads it will carry.