A pallet is a wood or metal platform used to stack material for movement from one area to another. You use pallets to store and handle bombs, cartridge tanks, projectiles, rocket containers, rocket heads, rocket motors, and unit loads. When live ammunition and explosives are involved, use metal pallets. Metal pallets are more durable than wood pallets, are not subject to warping, and do not present a fire hazard.

STANDARD FOUR-WAY WOOD PALLET

     The standard four-way pallet is a nine-post wood pallet to provide four way entry for forklift and pallet trucks. The wings (overhang) at each end allow sling installations. The slots in the two top-deck members are used to install steel strapping, providing load restraint. The pallet measures 48 inches in length and 40 inches in width. It has a safe working load (SWL) of 4,000 pounds. It is a general-purpose pallet used primarily for shipment of domestic unit loads of ordnance.

MK3 MOD 0 PALLET

     The Mk3 Mod 0 pallet is a steel wire weldment. It consists of a deck, deck supports, and steel bearing plates. The deck is made of steel wire, formed into a grid pattern of 2-inch squares, and is welded to the deck supports. The bearing plates run fore and aft beneath the deck, with one plate on each side and one in the center of the pallet. Nine steel deck supports are welded to the bearing plates and to the deck. The complete pallet is galvanized. The pallet measures 48 inches in length and 40 inches in width. It has an SWL of 4,000 pounds.

     The Mk 3 Mod 0 pallet is a general-purpose four-way pallet used to handle unit loads aboard ship and at shore stations. A forklift or pallet truck is used to transport and stack loads. It is also used to hoist loads using pallet slings. The Mk 3 Mod 0 pallet is used for fleet issue unit loads.

MK 12 MOD 1 PALLET

     The Mk 12 Mod 1 pallet is a steel wire and formed sheet steel weldment. It consists of a deck, supports, and runners. The deck is made of steel wire bent and assembled into a grid pattern of 2.5-inch squares. The deck is welded to supports and runners. Steel edge strips protect the wire endings. Three sheet steel runners extend fore and aft beneath the deck-one running under each side and one under the center of the deck. The nine deck supports are integral with the cross support member that extends laterally below the deck and between the runners. This makes up a strong base for the pallet. The pallet measures 45.5 inches in length and 35 inches in width. It has an SWL of 4,000 pounds.

     The Mk 12 Mod 1 pallet is a four-way pallet used to palletize weapon components and containers for storage, handling, and shipping. This pallet is used to transport and stack loads, using a forklift or pallet truck, and to hoist loads using pallet slings. The Mk 12 Mod 1 pallet is used for fleet issue unit loads.

AMMUNITION PALLET CRATE

    The ammunition pallet crate comes in three sizes. It consists of a steel four-way pallet on which steel wire sides and ends are attached to form an open-top container. The sides and ends may be folded onto the pallet deck to make compact unit for stowage and safe tying. One end of the pallet crate is removable. A hinge is located in the center so the top half folds down over the lower half for loading and unloading operations. Twelve locks secure the sides and ends, and four lifting eyes let it be used with hooks on appropriate slings. The deck supports are designed for stacking.

    The ammunition pallet crate is used at naval shore activities to handle loose ammunition and inert items during on-station handling and transportation. This pallet is particularly useful in combatant shop loadouts/offloads at dockside or anchorage where palletization is either impractical or inefficient. Projectiles, cartridges, and powder tanks up to 6 inches in diameter, boxed ammunition, and various inert loads are typical of the items handled using thes pallet-crate.