How To Secure Your Pallet with Pallet Wrap
01 Jul 2017
Wrapping a pallet correctly can be tricky to achieve, especially if you are doing it manually. Here is a quick rundown of how to use pallet wrap, with advice that varies depending on the materials and tools that you have to hand.
Manual Wrapping
If you have a roll of stretch wrap and you want to adopt a simple low-tech approach to wrapping, then you should start by tying wrap to the pallet itself to hold it in place and prevent unwanted movement.
Beginning at the lowest point, pull the new pallet wrap tight and begin to circle the pallet on foot, completing three circuits so that the base is strong, stable and unlikely to shift further down the line.
Once this setup has been completed, you can begin to wrap higher and higher up the load, making sure that the subsequent layers have a good level of overlap. Always remember to check the specifications when you buy wrap to ensure that it can cope with the type of load that it needs to secure.
After wrapping to the top of the pallet’s load, add an extra layer of film across the top to hold everything in place, and then repeat the first steps in reverse, wrapping downwards to the base with consistent overlapping for an optimal outcome.
When you cut the wrap having reached the bottom, make sure that it is fastened adequately to the load, which should be achievable by applying a little pressure.
Heat Shrink Wrapping
The use of a heat shrink tool can turn standard stretch wrap into an even tighter fit, especially in the case of a load which has an irregular shape.
You can also buy heat shrink bags, which provide a quicker, more streamlined wrapping experience but have their own set of instructions to follow to get the best results each time.
Once you have placed the bag over the top of the load, arrange it so that it covers it entirely and use your hands to gently push any extra material into the gaps in the side of the pallet itself.
The use of a heating tool should be carried out according to the manufacturer’s specifications, but as a rule you should begin the shrinking process by applying it to the lower level of the bag first and then work upwards. Complete this smoothly and fluidly on all of the pallet’s sides, and remember to check to that there are no problems once you have finished, as even small mistakes need to be remedied.
With a bit of patience and experience, you can learn to keep loads of all shapes and sizes safe and secure while they are being transported or left in storage.