§1Side by side
| Point | Stringer | Block |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | 2-way, or partial 4-way with notched stringers (forklift only on the notched sides) | True 4-way for forklifts and pallet jacks |
| Typical use | One-way white-wood shipping | Pooled programs, closed loops, automated warehouses |
| Price | Lower | Higher |
| Weight | Lighter | Heavier for the same footprint |
| Repair | Simple; stringer repairs common | Blocks and boards replaceable |
§2Start from handling
If your receivers or your own staff move pallets with hand pallet jacks from the side, a notched stringer pallet won't do; it takes forks on the side, not jack wheels. If everything moves by forklift from the ends, stringer is fine.
§3Cost and weight
Block pallets cost more and weigh more. In a one-way program, that extra cost buys nothing the receiver needs unless it asks for 4-way entry. In a loop with many trips, block pallets' durability can make them cheaper per trip.
§4What to put in the spec
For stringer pallets: notch spec, stringer count and size. For block pallets: block material (solid, laminated, composite), bottom-deck pattern (perimeter or cruciform) and pallet-jack clearance. For both: rated loads with the method.
§5Test it on your numbers
The calculator opens with both options loaded. Enter your own quotes; nothing is pre-filled.
| Input | ||
|---|---|---|
| Delivered price per pallet ($)From your supplier's quote, including delivery. | ||
| Disposal / handling per trip ($)What you or the receiver pay to get rid of it. | n/a | |
| Buyback credit ($)Credit per pallet from a buyback program, if any. | n/a | |
| End-of-life salvage ($)What a retired pallet is worth (regrind, cores). | n/a | |
| Rated tripsTrips before retirement, from the supplier's rating or your history. | n/a | |
| Loss per trip (%)Share of pallets that don't come back each trip. Measure it. | n/a | |
| Retrieval per trip ($)Return freight and collection cost per pallet. | n/a | |
| Handling / sorting per trip ($)Labour to sort and stage returns. | n/a | |
| Repair per trip ($)Average repair cost spread over trips. | n/a | |
| Pallet weight (lb)Weigh a sample. | ||
| Freight ($ per cwt)Your LTL rate per 100 lb, if you pay by weight. | ||
| Freight legs per tripLoaded legs that carry the pallet's weight. | ||
| Cost per trip | n/a | n/a |
| Cost per year | n/a | n/a |
| Net present cost, 3 yr at 8% | n/a | n/a |
Enter a price (or a pool's fee) in at least one scenario to compare.
How these numbers are calculated
One-way: CPT = P + D − S
Closed loop: N = min(L_trips, 1/ℓ)
CPT = (P − S_end)/N + R_c + H + ℓ·P + Rep
Pooled: CPT = F_issue + r_day·d + F_transfer + ℓ·F_lost + F_admin/trips
Plastic: closed loop + W (wash) per trip
All: + tare freight T = w × ($/cwt ÷ 100) × legs
Annual = CPT × trips per year
NPV = capital at t=0 + Σ annual / (1+i)^t, t = 1..years
Capital (owned loops) = pool size × P, pool size = trips/yr ÷ min(N, 52)
Break-even dwell d* = (CPT_owned − F_issue − F_transfer − ℓ·F_lost) / r_dayPool size assumes each pallet turns at most weekly. Results are only as good as the inputs.
§6How to decide
Buy stringer for one-way forklift-handled loads; buy block when receivers or your loop need pallet-jack entry on all sides or many trips.