![What Is A Pallet Positioner & Why Do You Need One? teaser]()
23 Jun 2020
What is a pallet positioner and why do you need one?
When it comes to the manual handling of inventory, in particular palletised goods, warehouse, logistics and transport operators have two significant needs — efficient operations and workplace safety — and so utilising appropriate materials handling equipment is necessary for both of these goals to be achieved. Backsafe Australia stocks a range of pallet positioners that enable goods to be loaded onto transport, re-shelved or moved around a facility safely and efficiently, and which are designed to handle a variety of loads and weights.
What is a pallet positioner?
A pallet positioner is a robust, highly efficient piece of manual materials handling equipment that makes it safer and easier for workers to load and unload palletised goods. The device ensures that goods are automatically at a comfortable and convenient height for handling, and enable pallets to be raised and lowered to the desired level quickly and simply. This minimises the potential risks for workers occasioned by having to bend over or reach up constantly while handling goods.
As well as being able to be manoeuvred to an appropriate height, some pallet positioners also enable the load to be rotated, so that a fully laden pallet can be easily positioned in order to make the loading of goods simpler by providing unhindered access to stock.
What are the benefits of using a pallet positioner?
Using a pallet positioner in a warehouse, storage or transport facility provides a number of benefits, as pallets can be raised, lowered or rotated as required so as to give greater access to goods and make loading easier. This in turn improves efficiency, as less time and manpower is needed to shift goods, while greater access means that loading and unloading can be completed more efficiently.
There is also the added benefit of enhanced workplace safety. There is less risk of injury to workers who are required to perform demanding and repetitive bending and lifting tasks when loading and unloading pallets, while at the same time reducing forklift traffic in a facility further limits the risk of injuries, as this can be one of the biggest causes of workplace accidents.
What are the different types of pallet positioners?
The two most common types of pallet positioners that are used in Australia are self-levelling spring tables and powered lift tables.
What are self-levelling spring tables?
A spring actuated auto levelling pallet positioner is one of the most efficient and easy to use manual material handling tools available on the market today. It ensures that goods are always a safe working height when pallets are being loaded or unloaded, as it will automatically adjust to the appropriate height as stock is added to or removed from a pallet.
Imaged: STURGO® Spring Loaded Pallet Positioner
At Backsafe Australia, we supply the STURGO Spring Loaded Pallet Positioner, which can be customised with a range of accessories that make it ideal for use in a wide variety of applications. Available with either a rotating top or a fixed square top, the robust mechanism consists of a scissor lift between two steel platforms, with the lifting force generated by heavy duty compression springs that are fitted with shock absorbers in order to dampen vertical movement of the load.
Imaged: EZE Loader Pallet Positioner Air Lift 2040kg
Our range also includes the EZE Loader Pallet Positioner Air Lift 2040kg, featuring a pneumatic support system that keeps the top of the load at a convenient working height. Designed to enable easy pallet rotation, it can be lowered to 220mm to enable pallets to be lifted with a forklift, or raised as high as 760mm so that it provides a range of comfortable manual loading and unloading heights.
What are powered lift tables?
An electric pallet positioner will usually feature a motor mounted underneath the table, and they are designed for use in a wide range of industries and applications, including logistics, hospitality, maintenance and mining.
Our range includes powered pallet lift tables with a 1,000kg, 2,000kg or 4,000kg capacity, and they feature box beam scissor arms for lateral stability, a pendant hand controller with a 4m cable, and a choice of two platform sizes — 1200mm x 1200mm or 1350mm x 1200mm.
What is the difference between self-levelling spring tables and powered lift tables?
One of the primary differences between self-levelling spring tables and powered lift tables is that the former can be operated manually, without the need for a motor or external power source. As a consequence, an electric pallet positioner will usually have a larger load capacity, and a greater range of heights to which it can be raised or lowered. At the same time, a self-levelling pallet positioner will be generally be more versatile and able to be used in a greater range of locations, owing to the fact that it is self-contained and can be operated without power being required.
Where can I get pallet positioners?
At Backsafe Australia, we specialise in manual handling equipment that improves both workplace safety and operating efficiency, and we are able to supply a range of pallet positioners designed for use in a variety of logistics, transport and storage applications.
The STURGO Spring Loaded Pallet Positioner can be configured to handle loads of up to two tonnes, and comes with built in sockets that enable it to be moved by a pallet jack or forklift, or it can be fitted with optional castors so it can be easily moved manually. Loads can also be rotated on the turntable, so this is the ideal pallet positioner whenever space or manpower is at a premium.
The STURGO pallet lifter can also be customised to suit your specific needs through the addition of a turntable brake and a range of spring capacities, as well as adjustable feet that make it suitable for use on uneven surfaces.
In addition, Backsafe Australia also stocks the EZE Loader Pallet Positioner Air Lift, a pallet lifter without mechanical springs but which instead features a pneumatic support system in a self-contained unit that does not require a constant air supply. It also features a 1010mm diameter rotator ring with a secured centre pivot that makes it especially easy to turn loads in order to access goods.
You can find out more about how a pallet positioner can benefit your operations by talking to our team of manual handling equipment specialists. You can email us or call Backsafe Australia on 1300 305 314 to find out more about our full range of STURGO and EZE equipment available across Australia.
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