Which types of plastic pallets—nine-legged, three-runners, six-runners, and double-sided—are suitable for racking, and which are not?

I. Summary of Conclusions

Suitable for racking: three runners, six runners, and double-sided plastic pallets (preferably reinforced with internal steel pipes)
Strictly prohibited for racking: Nine-legged plastic pallets

II. Compatibility Instructions for Different Types of Pallet Racking

1. Nine-legged plastic pallets (❌ Not suitable for racking)

Structure: 9 independent support legs at the bottom, with a large open area between the support points.

Racking risk: Only a few support points contact the shelving beams; concentrated loads can easily lead to support point breakage and panel collapse.

Applicable Scenarios: Ground handling, warehousing, light-duty operations with manual forklifts.

2. Three runners plastic pallets (✅ Suitable for racking, general-purpose mainstay)

Structure: 3 parallel longitudinal beams at the bottom, even stress distribution, good rigidity.

Racking advantages: Longitudinal beams can be stably supported on the crossbeams; built-in steel pipes allow for a load capacity of 1.0–1.5 tons.

Applicable Scenarios: Conventional beam shelving, drive-in racking, automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS).

3. Six runners plastic pallets (✅ (Suitable for racking, heavy-duty preferred)

Structure: Grid bottom for maximum rigidity and resistance to deformation.

Rack Advantages: Evenly distributes pressure, less prone to sagging under long-term heavy loads; suitable for high-load, long-term storage.

Applicable Scenarios: Heavy-duty racking, automated warehouses, heavy-duty scenarios such as hardware/molds/chemicals, etc.

4. Double-sided Plastic Pallets (✅ Suitable for racking, heavy-duty dedicated)

Structure: Double-sided load-bearing capacity, high overall strength, often with multiple built-in steel pipes.

Rack Advantages: Highest load-bearing capacity (rack load up to 1.5 tons +), suitable for cold storage and heavy-duty racking.

Applicable Scenarios: Heavy goods, cold storage, high-bay racking, double-sided stacking.

III. Key Considerations for Racking

Must select rack-specific type: Three runners/Six runners/Double-sided pallets, preferably with built-in steel cores.

Size Matching: Pallet length must be at least 50mm greater than the rack beam spacing to ensure stable placement.

Do not overload: Strictly adhere to rack load (below static/dynamic load).

No Mixing: Nine-legged pallets are strictly prohibited from being used on any rack.

IV. Selection Recommendations

Light-duty/ Standard racking: Choose three runners pallets (with built-in steel cores)

Heavy-duty/Long-term storage: Choose six runners pallets

Cold storage/Extra-high load capacity: Choose double-sided pallets