Two-way entry pallets allow forklifts and pallet jacks to enter from only two opposite sides, typically the stringer ends of a stringer pallet with unnotched stringers.
Detailed Definition
On a two-way entry stringer pallet, forks enter between the stringers from the two ends of the pallet. On a 48x40 stringer pallet those ends are the 40-inch faces, because the stringers run the 48-inch length. If the stringers are notched, a forklift can also enter from the 48-inch sides, which makes the pallet partial four-way rather than two-way. The common GMA-style 48x40 pallet is usually notched, so it is generally partial four-way.
Planning around two-way entry
With only two entry faces, pallet orientation matters at every step. In a trailer, two-way pallets are normally loaded straight, with an entry face toward the door, because a turned pallet would show a solid stringer to the unloading forklift. In selective rack, the entry face must point into the aisle. In block stacks and on conveyors, the pallet must be presented the right way round to the next handler.
Where two-way entry works well
Two-way entry suits closed flows where one site controls how pallets are built, stored and shipped, such as product going from a production line straight into rack. It also suits heavy loads where uncut stringers are wanted and side entry is not needed. Where receivers handle pallets from any direction, a four-way block pallet is usually easier to work with.
Common mistakes
- Assuming every 48x40 pallet can be turned in a trailer.
- Ordering unnotched stringers when a customer requires side entry.
- Expecting a pallet jack to use stringer notches. The jack's load wheels need open space in the bottom deck, so on a stringer pallet it can only enter at the ends.
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
How can I tell if a pallet is two-way or partial four-way?
Look at the long sides of a stringer pallet. If the stringers are solid along their length, forks can only enter from the two ends, so the pallet is two-way entry. If there are cutouts or notches in the stringers, a forklift can also enter from the sides, which makes it partial four-way. A pallet built on blocks instead of stringers is generally four-way entry.
Is two-way entry a problem for retail distribution centers?
It can be. Many retail and grocery receiving operations expect to enter pallets from more than one side, and some specifications call for notched stringer or block pallets. A two-way pallet may still be accepted if it arrives in the right orientation, but it limits how the receiver can unload and store it. Check the customer's routing guide or pallet specification before choosing a two-way design.