WOOD PALLETS, SKIDS, AND CRATES: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE.

In the world of shipping, importation, transportation, and logistics, these words: wooden pallets, skids, and crates, are quite common. However, not many people know the difference between all three, and they are often mistaken for each other.

This article highlights the differences between wooden pallets, skids, and crates. Regardless of their differences, there are Warehouse racking suppliers that offer all these types of pallets, and will help you in determining what’s best for your need.

Want to know the differences and appropriate usage? Read on! Otherwise, see here for the best wooden pallet manufacturer in town.

WHAT ARE WOODEN PALLETS

Wooden pallets are highly popular in shipping. To identify, they usually have a bottom and a top. Wooden pallets are reusable, they are of higher strength than skids and they can be stacked. Other advantages include the fact that they are lightweight and affordable.

However, wooden pallets come with their disadvantages. These disadvantages include the fact that wooden pallets are prone to attacks by bacteria, wooden pallets cannot be used in moist weather or for moist products lest mold, termites, and fungus take over and wooden pallets can easily get dirty.

WHAT ARE SKIDS.

Skid is often referred to as the average man’s pallet. Funny but valid. Skids are pallets minus the bottom deck. They are more mobile than pallets which often require forklifts. Skids are commonly used as a foundation for machines also. They are durable, affordable, and portable as well.

WHAT ARE CRATES.

A crate is just like a box. There are wooden crates, plastic crates, and even metal ones. Crates are often used for products that require more protection. However, crates are highly difficult to transport and they take up much space.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A SKID AND A PALLET.

Not many people can differentiate between a skid and a crate. Often they look similar but a closer look at them shows visible differences.

One of the foremost differences that will be noticed is the bottom leg.

While Pallets have a horizontal bottom rest, skids don’t. Instead, they balance on vertical legs and as a result, Skids can be dragged on floors but pallets require the services of forklifts.

SKID PALLETS AND CRATES, WHAT IS THE BEST OPTION FOR SHIPPING.

There is no “best” option among these three for shipping as they each have their appropriate uses.

A skid could be used to ship automotive machinery and prepackaged goods. Although many people prefer the use of the skid for shipping purposes because it is cheap and is highly mobile, the wooden pallet and crates also have their specialty depending on the product to be shipped. 

A wooden pallet could be used to transport flowers, pre-packaged foods, dry meals, building materials, and automotive machinery. Wooden pallets can be used to ship cartons of goods. They happen to be more secure. They accommodate a large number of goods and they are also very durable, and reliable because it meets many shipping needs.

Crates can be used to ship a plethora of things ranging from foodstuff to machines to wines etc. Crates often come in different forms, wooden, plastic, and metal and as a result, an interchange of material as concerns the goods to be transported is inevitable. 

CONCLUSION.

All three, wooden pallets, skids, and even crates have their individual and distinct uses in many facets of life, from shipping to home decor to DIY projects and even as an integral part of large-scale businesses like The automotive industry. The automotive industry and shipping industry is characterized by a lot of heavy machinery and as a result, they require the use of pallets, skids, and crates. Pallets Skids and crates come in different shapes, materials, such as plastic, iron, and even wood, and of course, different sizes.