Guide / Types
Block or stringer?
A stringer pallet's deck boards are nailed to three or more parallel timbers called stringers. A block pallet sits on blocks, both parallel and perpendicular stringers can be used, and it can be entered from any side.
Side by side
| Feature | Stringer | Block |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | Three or more parallel timbers | Blocks, with parallel and perpendicular stringers |
| Entry | Two-way, or four-way if the stringers are notched | Any side |
| Strength | Strong along the stringers | Strong across both directions |
| Common use | General freight, the GMA pallet | Pooled and heavier loads |
| Repair | Plugs and boards, common and quick | Blocks are harder to replace |
A stringer is the long timber under the deck. Notches cut into it let forks enter from the side too, which makes the pallet four-way. A block pallet is four-way by construction.
How to choose
Choose stringer for most dry freight and any pallet that will be repaired and resold. Choose block when forks come from all sides, when racking is very tight or when the unit is heavy and needs support in both directions. Block pallets cost more and weigh more, so they pay off on loads that would break a stringer pallet or on pooled pallets that travel many times.
What this means for the metro
Fulfillment and distribution buildings along I-44 run almost entirely on stringer pallets in 48x40. Heavier equipment output from plants down I-35 sometimes specifies block builds. Request the one that fits the forklift and rack you have, and read two-way versus four-way for the entry question.
How each fails
Stringer pallets fail when a stringer splits or a nail line gives way. Block pallets fail when a block detaches or a corner breaks. Block failures usually mean the whole corner must be rebuilt, while stringer failures can often be repaired with a plate. The failure pattern is therefore a fair predictor of repair cost.
Choosing between them
Block pallets accept forks on all four sides and distribute weight more evenly, so they last longer under heavy use. They cost more, and most are used in automated systems that need four-way entry. Stringer pallets are cheaper, more common in North America and easier to repair, but they accept forks from two sides unless notched.
Think about your equipment, load and flow. A conveyor line may demand block pallets because the machines grip on all sides. A simple shipping dock with a forklift can run on stringer pallets.
When selling, state which type you have and how many of each. Block pallets in good condition are often worth more than stringer pallets, and burying them in a mixed stack wastes the difference.
Identifying them at a glance
Look under the deck. Nine blocks in a grid, or fewer in a line, mean a block pallet. Two or three long timbers running the length mean a stringer pallet. Count the entry openings on each side if you are still unsure.
A quick comparison
- Entry: block pallets accept forks on four sides; stringer pallets on two unless notched.
- Strength: blocks spread load across more points; stringers carry it along two or three timbers.
- Repair: stringer damage is often a plate; a broken block usually means rebuilding a corner.
Questions, answered
What is the difference between a block and a stringer pallet?
A stringer pallet has parallel timbers under the deck; a block pallet sits on blocks and can be entered from every side.