Industrial palletizers load packaged material or products onto pallets, including load cases, drums, crates and many other package types. Some palletizers are adaptable, but these machines differ widely depending on exact application specifications.

A fully-automated palletizer only requires you to manually place empty pallets, or fill hoppers or carton magazines and the like. However, even a manual palletizer usually only requires one worker. The function of the manual machine is to eliminate lifting, but the worker controls the movement. Many palletizers load entire layers of packages at once.

Automatic palletizers break down into three main categories based on how packages enter the machines:

1. Low-level palletizers intake a continual flow of packages at ground level. They are fast, but not best for fragile items.

2. High-level palletizers are similar to their low-level counterparts. They do not handle fragile items well, but they intake and load a continual flow of packages quickly. The difference is that they intake from an elevated hopper.

3. Robotic palletizers pick up, manipulate and load single packages at a time. These are often cost more, but are advisable for fragile items.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy from palletizer manufacturers who custom build and provide clear information on their websites

There are bag palletizers and then there is the bottle palletizer. Likewise, there are both manual and auto palletizers. Beyond these differences, however, there are all sorts of palletizer specifications, many of which are unique to particular applications. Look to websites that have complete information and to manufacturers that customize their products. This way you will get an industrial palletizer that suits your company's needs.

I recommend: Columbia is a great place to shop for a palletizer or buy palletizer accessories. They have the full range of machines for all sorts of packages. More than that, though, they provide all sorts of palletizer information, from a book on the science of palletizing to trade show info. Another place to look is Conveying Industries, Inc.. They custom build palletizers to fit your particular needs.

Locate an adaptable auto palletizer

Some palletizers are multifunctional or have modules so that they can load various types or sizes of packages. If your company loads a range of package types, these palletizers can save money and space.

I recommend: TopTier, Inc. manufactures simple palletizers with modular designs for flexibility. They also have palletizers that include stretch wrap capabilities. PASCO is another good place to look. Since they are a custom builder and have such a wide array of machines, they can help you get the versatility you need in a palletizer.

Find low palletizer prices by shopping for used palletizers

Quality palletizers last a long time and refurbish well. Used palletizers are a viable option for saving some capital. When shopping for used equipment, the hunt for the right unit may take some time, but there are websites that make great first stops.

I recommend: The Frain Group is a used palletizer specialist. They have many palletizers available, including combination machines. Their prices range anywhere from $2,500 to $125,000. Make sure to do some price comparing at other companies, like Sigma Packaging. They also have rental equipment, as yet another palletizing option.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Unassisted pallet loading puts a greater strain on the backs of your employees than many other jobs. When considering palletizers, include possible losses due to employee injury and down time in your analysis.
• •  Many packaging palletizer sources also sell depalletizers.