Tag: pallets

If you work with pallets, you know how important they are for your business. But do you know the difference between a pallet loader and a pallet dispenser? These two machines can make your pallet handling process faster, easier, and safer. But they are not the same. In this article, you will learn what each machine does, how it works, and what benefits it can bring to your operations. Read on to discover the differences between a pallet loader and a pallet dispenser.

What is a Pallet Loader?

A pallet loader is a machine that loads items onto a pallet automatically. It can be integrated with a conveyor system or a robotic arm to receive the items from the production line or the warehouse. The pallet loader then stacks the items on the pallet according to a predefined pattern, ensuring optimal space utilization and load stability. The pallet loader can also apply stretch wrap, labels, or other accessories to the palletized load, if needed. Once the pallet is fully loaded, the pallet loader transfers it to another conveyor or a forklift for further transportation or storage.

How Does a Pallet Loader Work?

A pallet loader works by using sensors, cameras, and software to detect the size, shape, and position of the items and the pallet. It then calculates the best way to arrange the items on the pallet, taking into account the weight distribution, the load height, and the stacking rules. The pallet loader then moves the items from the conveyor or the robotic arm to the pallet, using a lifting mechanism, a rotating platform, or a sliding device. The pallet loader can also adjust the speed and pressure of the loading process, depending on the type and the fragility of the items. The pallet loader can handle different types of items, such as boxes, bags, drums, or crates, and different types of pallets, such as wooden, plastic, or metal pallets.

Benefits of Using a Pallet Loader

Using a pallet loader can bring many benefits to your business, such as:

1) Saving time and labor: A pallet loader can load a pallet faster and more accurately than a human worker, reducing the time and the labor required for palletizing. A pallet loader can also operate continuously, without breaks or fatigue, increasing the productivity and the efficiency of your operations.

2) Improving quality and safety: A pallet loader can load a pallet more consistently and securely than a human worker, improving the quality and the safety of your palletized loads. A pallet loader can also prevent damage or loss of items, as well as injuries or accidents caused by manual handling of heavy or bulky items.

3) Reducing costs and waste: A pallet loader can load a pallet more effectively and economically than a human worker, reducing the costs and the waste associated with palletizing. A pallet loader can also optimize the space utilization and the load stability of your pallets, lowering the transportation and storage costs, and minimizing the environmental impact of your operations.

What is a Pallet Dispenser?

A pallet dispenser is a machine that dispenses pallets automatically. It can be integrated with a conveyor system or a forklift to supply pallets to the production line or the warehouse. The pallet dispenser stores a stack of pallets in a vertical or horizontal position, and then separates and releases one pallet at a time, using a hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric mechanism. The pallet dispenser can also align and orient the pallets according to the specifications of the palletizing system or the forklift.

Pallet Dispenser Unloading

How Does a Pallet Dispenser Work?

A pallet dispenser works by using sensors, valves, and actuators to control the movement and the release of the pallets. It can operate in different modes, such as:

  • Push mode: The pallet dispenser pushes the bottom pallet of the stack onto a conveyor or a forklift, using a sliding plate or a chain drive.

  • Lift mode: The pallet dispenser lifts the top pallet of the stack and drops it onto a conveyor or a forklift, using a scissor lift or a clamp.

  • Drop mode: The pallet dispenser drops the bottom pallet of the stack onto a conveyor or a forklift, using a gravity feed or a roller conveyor.

The pallet dispenser can handle different types of pallets, such as wooden, plastic, or metal pallets, and different sizes and shapes of pallets, such as standard, euro, or custom pallets.

Benefits of Using a Pallet Dispenser

Using a pallet dispenser can bring many benefits to your business, such as:

  • Saving time and labor: A pallet dispenser can dispense a pallet faster and more conveniently than a human worker, reducing the time and the labor required for pallet supply. A pallet dispenser can also operate continuously, without breaks or fatigue, increasing the availability and the reliability of your pallets.

  • Improving quality and safety: A pallet dispenser can dispense a pallet more consistently and securely than a human worker, improving the quality and the safety of your pallet supply. A pallet dispenser can also prevent damage or contamination of pallets, as well as injuries or accidents caused by manual handling of heavy or bulky pallets.

  • Reducing costs and waste: A pallet dispenser can dispense a pallet more efficiently and economically than a human worker, reducing the costs and the waste associated with pallet supply. A pallet dispenser can also optimize the storage and the retrieval of your pallets, lowering the space and the energy consumption, and minimizing the environmental impact of your operations.

Pallet Dispenser Close Up

The Differences between a Pallet Loader and a Pallet Dispenser

As you can see, a pallet loader and a pallet dispenser are two different machines that perform two different functions. A pallet loader loads items onto a pallet, while a pallet dispenser dispenses pallets to the palletizing system or the forklift. A pallet loader is usually located at the end of the production line or the warehouse, while a pallet dispenser is usually located at the beginning of the production line or the warehouse. A pallet loader requires a pallet dispenser to supply pallets, while a pallet dispenser does not require a pallet loader to load items.

However, both machines have some similarities, such as:

  • They can be integrated with other machines or systems, such as conveyors, robotic arms, or forklifts, to create a seamless and automated pallet handling process.

  • They can handle different types of pallets, such as wooden, plastic, or metal pallets, and different sizes and shapes of pallets, such as standard, euro, or custom pallets.

  • They can bring many benefits to your business, such as saving time and labor, improving quality and safety, reducing costs and waste, and enhancing your operational performance and competitiveness.

How to Choose the Right Machine for Your Needs

If you are looking for a machine to improve your pallet handling process, you need to consider several factors, such as:

However, both machines have some similarities, such as:

  • Your production or warehouse layout: You need to measure the available space and the optimal location for your machine, taking into account the accessibility, the visibility, and the compatibility with other machines or systems.

  • Your palletizing or pallet supply requirements: You need to determine the type, the size, the shape, and the quantity of the items and the pallets that you need to handle, as well as the loading or dispensing speed, frequency, and pattern that you need to achieve.

  • Your budget and return on investment: You need to compare the initial and the ongoing costs of your machine, such as the purchase, the installation, the maintenance, and the operation costs, as well as the potential savings and benefits that your machine can generate, such as the reduced labor, the improved quality, the lower transportation and storage costs, and the increased productivity and efficiency.

Based on these factors, you can choose the right machine for your needs, whether it is a pallet loader, a pallet dispenser, or both. You can also consult with us, a professional and experienced supplier of pallet handling equipment, who can offer you customized solutions and expert advice.

Conclusion

Pallet loaders and pallet dispensers are two different machines that perform two different functions. A pallet loader loads items onto a pallet, while a pallet dispenser dispenses pallets to the palletizing system or the forklift. Both machines can bring many benefits to your business, such as saving time and labor, improving quality and safety, reducing costs and waste, and enhancing your operational performance and competitiveness. However, you need to consider several factors, such as your production or warehouse layout, your palletizing or pallet supply requirements, and your budget and return on investment, to choose the right machine for your needs. You can also consult with us, a professional and experienced supplier of pallet handling equipment, who can offer you customized solutions and expert advice.

Ready to talk to a Pallet Loader & Dispenser expert?

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Financial Benefits Of A Pallet Dispenser

When you own a business, it’s imperative that you do everything you can to ensure it remains profitable. In many cases, installing equipment such as a pallet dispenser can help you do exactly that. However, many people who run warehouses and manufacturing facilities that make use of pallets don’t know of the benefits that they can derive from utilizing pallet dispensers. Since they don’t realize the financial benefits, they don’t think investing in them is a good idea. The truth is, something as simple as installing a pallet dispenser is almost guaranteed to increase profitability in your facility. Some of the ways you might see a financial impact are:

Reduced Damage to the Pallets

When you have to keep replacing damaged pallets, it can really start to eat away at your profit margins. Everything deteriorates over time and pallets are no different. When they are used regularly or used to lift items that are too heavy, it can cause damage sooner than typical wear and tear. Most of the time, breakage occurs when the pallets are being accessed for the first time in order to be used. Installing a pallet dispenser is effective in reducing such damage since it makes access to the pallets a lot easier.

Storing pallets incorrectly often leads to damage as well, so it’s also important to note that pallet dispensers also function as storage facilities. This means that when you put the pallets in them, you are unlikely to end up having to deal with issues such as the pallets being damaged due to improper storage. They are usually stacked in an orderly manner within the dispensers, which reduces the risk of damage.

Increased Efficiency

Time is money and pallet dispensers are proof of that. By installing pallet dispensers, you immediately reduce the amount of time it takes to find and use a pallet in your warehouse or facility. Obviously, depending on the type of system you used previously, this improvement may end up reducing the amount of time needed to do this drastically. Even if it doesn’t seem like much, when added up, it will translate to a lot of time saved. The cumulative effect is that the entire facility will operate more efficiently, which always ends with more profits. This is especially so when you are dealing with time-sensitive businesses, such as the movement of perishable goods.

Reduced Risk of Injury

Workplace injuries are commonly associated with pallets. When the process of picking up the pallets is not done in an orderly manner, it can easily lead to staff members sustaining injuries of various kinds. When you have a pallet dispenser, this concern can be alleviated considerably. By ensuring that all the pallets are in a central position, you create a more orderly, and easier way to retrieve them. You will therefore not have to spend money and time on the medical issues that arise from accidents in such a setting.

It’s obvious that there are a lot of financial benefits to using a pallet dispenser in such a setting. However, it’s important to note that the benefit you can reap from the products depends on a number of factors including:

  • The quality of your pallet dispensers: If you want to get the most out of the devices, always make sure that you insist on buying high-quality ones. These might cost you a bit more than the regular ones, but they will last longer and sometimes be more practical, which more than makes up for this. Besides, careful shopping will allow you to identify high-quality dispensers that are not that much more expensive than the regular ones, which means that you will get a lot more value for money from them and they will last you for years into the future.
  • Proper installation: One of the factors that will influence the performance of the pallet dispenser is how you install it. Make sure that you always consult a professional in doing this, so that the risk of making installation errors is minimized. Even better still, you could opt to have the vendor do the installation. This way, in case of any problems, you can simply refer to your warranty to have the repairs done if it’s allowed.

In summary, if you run a facility such as a warehouse in manufacturing or distribution, where you use such pallets widely, installing the dispenser is likely to be a very good idea. It helps you streamline the operations of the facility, and ensures that you do get very good value for money from the decision. The best thing about them is that once installed, you will rarely have to spend a lot of money on them.

Yarbrough Industries Pal-O-Matic Automatic Pallet Dispenser is one of the best on the market. It automatically dispenses and holds pallets captive for easy retrieval with a pallet jack and it is made with the sturdiest materials. If you are interested in seeing how a Pal-O-Matic Pallet Dispenser could impact your facility’s production,

Get a Quote for the Pal-O-Matic

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Best return on investment, employee safety, osha, Pal-O-Matic, Pallet Dispenser, Pallet safety, pallets, Palomatic, safe workplace

Pallet Stacking Safety

Whether you are in a warehouse, distribution center, or other manufacturing facilities, it is inevitable that you will have pallets for material handling or storing equipment. Although they are generally user-friendly and simple, improper stacking of materials can bring troubles and unforeseen accidents. These might include worker injuries, product damages or property destruction. There are some simple rules that should be followed while stacking pallets. These are also imperative in order for your company to be in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), although this is not a complete list. 

Pallet Stacking: A Quick Guide

Stacking pallets properly not only saves space but also helps eliminate tripping and collision hazards. It helps with organization efficiency as it can also help categorize your goods. By organizing effectively, you, in turn, ease the material storage and transportation activities. 

Stacking pallets carelessly or overly high can lead to collapse, causing injuries or death to those in their vicinity. Here are several measures that can enhance safety and efficiency when it comes to stacking pallets.

  • Ensure that the pallets are durable enough to carry the loads required. It is also important that the pallets are undamaged. 
  • Never stack products with sharp corners or edges on pallets in a way that they could injure people coming near them.
  • Tie any boxed items securely. This can be done with cross-ties or shrink plastic fiber. 
  • Metal pallets should be stored in a clean place and have no protruding nails, holes, splinters, or loose boards.
  • Position your pallets securely to avoid collapsing or sliding when stacking goods on them.
  • Avoid keeping stacked pallets in high-traffic areas.
  • You can stack pallets up to 15 feet high. However, regulations vary based on the type of goods you store on them. 
  • Always stack product on both sides of the pallet. Even distribution is critical for material handling and safety. 
  • If you must stack different products, always stack similar items with uniform size and shape together. 
  • Never overstack a pallet, even if it seems as though there is still room for stacking at its rated capacity. 
  • Always stack the heaviest load at the bottom of the pallet.
  • Maintain sufficient clearance around stacks. This ensures safe handling and easy access.
  • Provide ergonomics training and task-specific training to ensure proper stacking, and utilize a pallet dispenser if available.
  • Never stack goods where they obstruct lighting, electrical panels, or ventilation.
  • It is not advisable to manually lift heavily stacked pallets per OSHA regulations, instead, use a forklift or automated pallet dispenser for lifting.

There are more safety practices that have been formulated by OSHA, and following these practices, as basic as they are, helps prevent damage to life and property. 

If you are interested in learning more about saving your company time and money through safer pallet procedures, please contact Yarbrough Industries today. 

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This industry moves fast, but you can move even faster if you’re up to date on trends, technical developments, and best practices. The Yarbrough Industries blog is a go-to source for valuable, timely and detailed information. Sign up to ensure that you don’t miss a single post.

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Best return on investment, employee safety, manufacturing, osha, Pallet Dispenser, Pallet safety, pallets, safe workplace

Why You Need A Pallet Dispenser For Your Business

Model 900

Many people ask how a pallet dispenser would benefit their industry or organization. Because of the versatile industries, Yarbrough works with, we have put together a few reasons anyone can benefit from purchasing a pallet dispenser.

1. Streamlined Productivity

Enhancing a high-production work environment can be as simple as having all of your machines and products in the right place. With high-quality pallet dispensers from Yarbrough Industries, you are able to integrate your product lines without skipping a beat. Each Pal-O-Matic Pallet dispenser is custom-made for industrial applications, giving you the opportunity to allocate time and resources toward other critical production areas while knowing your pallets will be where they need to be.

Some productivity benefits of pallet dispensers include:

  1. Elimination of manual pallet handling

  2. Reduction of employee injuries due to removal of manual pallet handling

  3. Increased production while minimizing time and labor involvement

  4. Minimal floor space used for storage and staging for pallet stacks

  5. Minimal pallet damage

  6. Stand-alone models offer simple stacking and dispensing

 

2. Seamless Integration

At Yarbrough Industries, every solution we offer you is geared toward improving workflow for smooth, efficient product integration. We recognize how difficult it can be to find technology that simultaneously keeps operating costs at a manageable price while also increasing productivity. 

  1. Problematic labor replacement, including the elimination of repetitive motion risks while allowing stacking of square and stable loads to full height to minimize freight costs.

  2. Compact, mobile footprint fits into existing tight spaces, typically taking up only as much or on occasion, less space as what you are already using for manual palletizing.

  3. Modular flexibility to dramatically minimize hassle and ensure optimal time for customer projects.

  4. Financial incentives are realized in as little as one year. Having a pallet dispenser can dramatically lower certain costs for 1-shift, 2-shift, and 3-shift operations.

 

3. Increased Production

One of the hardest parts of improving the performance of your facility is finding the right technology to fit your space, budget, and production requirements. With Pal-O-Matic Pallet Dispensers, you’ll be able to perform at an exceedingly high level without disrupting the area you operate in while staying within budget. Replacing cost-increasing inefficient manual labor with the Pal-O-Matic Pallet Dispenser makes work easier and safer while letting you keep more of your money—It is our job at Yarbrough Industries to continually find exciting ways to make your production easier. With our high-quality automated pallet dispenser, we’ve done just that.

Contact us to find out how we can make things simpler for your facility.

Get direct access to industry-leading content

This industry moves fast, but you can move even faster if you’re up to date on trends, technical developments, and best practices. The Yarbrough Industries blog is a go-to source for valuable, timely and detailed information. Sign up to ensure that you don’t miss a single post.

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Best return on investment, distribution, efficiency, employee safety, manufacturing, material handling, Pal-O-Matic, Pallet Dispenser, pallets, Palomatic, safe workplace, shipping, workpllace efficiency, Yarbrough, Yarbrough Industries

Why Purchase A Pallet Dispenser?

What is a Pal-o-Matic Pallet Dispenser?

Pallet dispensers replace manual handling of pallets to streamline automated and manual material handling systems.  A pallet dispenser holds a number of pallets, often up to 45, and provides pallets one by one for easy retrieval at floor level by an electric pallet jack, manual pallet jack, or forklift.

Having a good pallet dispenser is an integral part of an efficient manual or semi-automatic palletizing system ensuring a pallet is always ready for your team to place products.

Yarbrough’s Pal-O-Matic pallet dispensers reduce labor and improve productivity for your company.  Our pallet dispensers can be used alongside semi-automated palletizing, order pick systems, and low cycle store/dispense processes.  The Pal-O-Matic can be configured to integrate with existing equipment. 

Once you have invested in a Yarbrough’s Pal-O-Matic pallet dispenser you can expect it to last many years and be very reliable while requiring minimal maintenance.

Who Needs a Pallet Dispenser?

Industries such as medical supply, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, food processing, grocery warehouse, chemical processing, auto parts distribution, material handling, paper and consumer products distribution can all benefit from an automated pallet handling system.

The Pal-O-Matic dispensers will work with most types of pallets, including stringer style, white wood, block style, slave boards, plastic, metal, as well as custom shipping skids.

How Does a Pallet Dispenser Work?

Pallet dispensers are loaded with a forklift. A pallet jack, hand truck or forklift can then access the front of the dispenser and retrieve one or two pallets at floor level. The machine then quickly places another pallet on the floor.

What are the Benefits of a Pal-O-Matic Pallet Dispenser?

There are numerous ways a Pal-O-Matic Pallet Dispenser can benefit your company.

  1.  Effective Use of Time: Your order pickers will spend less time retrieving
    pallets, up to 4.7 hours saved for every 1000 pallets*.
  2. Using Space Efficiently: Our Model 4500 will hold 45 pallets and occupies only 40 sq ft of valuable floor space. The same number of pallets in 4 ft tall stacks
    scattered around your warehouse takes more than twice that area.
  3. Reduce Pallet Damage: During the typical manual retrieval, pallets are thrown and stacks are toppled. Pal-O-Matic ensures that no longer happens, saving time and money for your company. Also, the pallets
    are contained so the jack can enter without the pallets pushing away. This
    eliminates damage to building columns and rack legs.
  4. Improves Safety for Employees: An “overexertion” injury, typical from lifting a heavy or
    bulky object, can easily cost $50,000 in medical expenses and lost time. If
    manual lifting of pallets is eliminated from your employees’ duties, you make
    their job easier and have a high probability of preventing a painful and
    expensive injury. Lifting pallets is often the most difficult part of an order
    picker’s job, so eliminating it can increase your hiring options.
  5. Improves Morale: When the order pickers realize that our automated pallet dispenser makes their job easier, they feel recognized and appreciated. This, of course, leads to improved productivity!

How Long Does a Pallet Dispenser Last?

With proper maintenance, you can anticipate a 12+ year life from our machines even in heavy service of 2 or 3 shifts per day. It is
not unusual for us to hear from customers that have been using our
machines for 15, 20, or even 25 years. We provide technical and parts
support long after the sale.

Contact us at (877)869-5344  with any questions.
*information from a time study provided by one of our customers comparing
pallet retrieval times with and without an automated dispenser

Get direct access to industry-leading content

This industry moves fast, but you can move even faster if you’re up to date on trends, technical developments, and best practices. The Yarbrough Industries blog is a go-to source for valuable, timely and detailed information. Sign up to ensure that you don’t miss a single post.

Tags:

Best return on investment, Pal-O-Matic, Pallet Dispenser, Pallet safety, pallets, Palomatic, Yarbrough Industries

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