KOOI^® ReachForks - the problem solver when handling EUR-pallets

The EPAL pallet is the most widely used pallet in Europe, and it is estimated that there are approximately 650 million of them currently in circulation. With a price of around €25.00 per Euro pallet, preventing damage to these pallets is increasingly concerning.

If you use Euro pallets in your warehouse, your forklift drivers must be alert to whether they are approaching the pallets on the long or short side. After all, Europallets (EUR-pallet/EPAL) measure 800 mm by 1200 mm. Standard forklift forks are neither 800mm nor 1200mm in length, usually coming in lengths somewhere in between. In all cases, the forks are longer than 800 mm, so when your forklift operators approach pallets from the long side, they must ensure that the forks do not protrude on the other side.

Although we regularly see markings on the forks, these gradually wear away over time. These markings are also challenging to see from the driver’s seat, and constant checking slows down the speed at which pallets are handled, and this in turn costs money.

A forklift driver is accustomed and trained to pick up loads with the forks fully inserted into the pallet so that the load is in contact with the shank of the fork. With KOOI^® Telescopic forks, the forks can be set to lengths of 800 mm and 1200 mm. This means the forks can no longer protrude from the far side of the pallet and the load is always fully supported. The operator can set the length of the hydraulic forks from the driver’s seat and no longer needs to worry about whether they are too long or too short.

The fact that the operator can remain seated reduces the chances of unsafe situations as there is no chance of being hit by another forklift and no time is lost fitting fork extensions. 

Not only are Euro pallets difficult to handle because of the large difference in both pallet sides, but there are so many variable pallet sizes to be found within logistics that no single fork length can ever be chosen for this. Especially within the furniture industry, automotive but also within 3PLs there are many different pallet sizes.

When the pallets are extra long, it is important that they are adequately supported to prevent forward tipping. The load is adequately supported by the forks but in photo the pallet boards are broken because the weight of the load and inadequate support of the forks caused the entire load to tip over. This could have serious consequences because the load could have slid off the pallet causing damage but even more seriously could have hit pedestrians (passers-by).

An investment in KOOI^®ReachForks often pays for itself within a year and also increases efficiency.

For more information visit:  www.meijer-handling-solutions.com