12th March 2004

Introduction

Although practical load tests had been conducted on early development models of MITIELITE PALLETS, no accurate record of loads carried and test parameters were available. It was decided to conduct a series of practical tests of an uncoated base chassis, as well as a typical pallet which had been coated with 2-mm polyurethane elastomer.

General

Whilst a brick yard is not considered a typical environment for MITIELITE PALLETS, and bricks are not a recommended load, it was felt that the following procedure would demonstrate their ability to stand up to rough handling and a capability to handle loads similar to those regularly imposed upon wooden pallets.

A yard stocking a range of paving tiles was selected. This offered pavers packaged in 1.2 tonne blocks, lightly strapped with apertures for the forklift tines. The forklift operator was instructed to conduct his operations exactly as he would when moving loads on wooden pallets, making no concessions.

The ground surface of the yard comprised tightly packed earth with a light coating of sand. Pebbles ranging from approx. 5mm to approx. 15mm in diameter were evenly distributed over the surface. It was noted that the base dimensions of the load were small than the pallet, leaving a 125mm uncovered area around the edges of the pallets. As it is recommended the MITIELITE PALLETS be loaded over their full surface area, this represented a misload, with the pallets experiencing extreme bending forces.

It was found that, whilst the resultant forces caused distortion, this was well within their capability and they returned to their original contours when the load was removed. Repetition of this case indicated that there was no cumulative damage and the pallets were capable of absorbing this mistreatment whilst maintaining their basic structural strength and usefulness over an extended number of cycles.