Timber Pallets Complying With AS4068

28 Mar 2018

Pallets are a portable, load carrying platform that is usually made of two levels. Designed for lifting equipment to be used to safely transport them and effectively be stored and stacked. Australia was one of the first places in the world to introduce standardised pallets. Timber pallets are commonplace in most warehouse-based industries in Australia. These Pallets have to comply with the Australian standard AS4068. This standard specifies the dimensions and performance of flat pallets used for materials handling, the perfect example of this is the WERKS Timber Pallets.


Pictured: WERKS Timber Pallets

There are a number of different pallets available such as captive pallets, disposable pallets and four-way pallets. They can be made from different materials such as timber or pine and plastic the most common are made of hardwood. Regardless of the different types and the material they all need to comply with Australian Standard AS4068.

What to look for in a good pallet that conforms to Australian Standard AS4068

• An Australian standard pallet is 1165mm × 1165 mm in size and the loading dimension inside is 865mm.
• Top boards will be a maximum of 150mm in width and a minimum of 22mm thick. The top intermediate board will be a minimum of 95mm wide and minimum of 22mm thick, usually these are 25mm. There is no guidance on how many intermediate boards are needed.
• The pallet should have a maximum overall height of 150mm
• The overall weight of the unloaded pallet must be between 30-40kgs
• It can hold up to a capacity of 2000kg in weight
• Pallets that are made of hardwood and free from defects.
• No cracks lengthways or width ways which could put the boards at risk of breaking
• Knots and holes need to be less than 50% of the board width.
• There should be no protruding nails greater than 1mm or large splinters and all boards are secure
• No missing, damaged or misshapen boards.
• Fungus or mould should not be present.
• No chemicals, powders or oils to should be present.
• They should be pest free and free of loose dirt and rubbish.

Summary

A timber pallet that complies with Australian standards 4068 is a great option. Timber pallets offer the ideal solution of being both solid as well as being strong enough to hold a heavier weight. They can be repaired and restored far easier than their plastic counterparts. Racking systems in Australia and logistical transport such as freight trains are designed to smoothly transition the movement of Australian standard timber pallets from one place to the next.

Pallet sizes vary from country to country and this is unlikely to change in the near future due to the huge amount of costs involved. The only time you need to consider a differently sized pallet is for shipment outside of Australia. Otherwise you’ll find an Australian standardised pallet is the only pallet you need and a timber pallet as the ideal choice.

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