Pallet vs. Skid: What's the Difference?

Written by: Advance Pallet

What is a Pallet?

Anyone who has ever worked in a warehouse environment is no doubt familiar with a pallet. Industry standard dimensions are 48" by 40" and, in addition to having a flat surface on top to store products and other items, they also have a flat bottom deck that makes them easier to move via a forklift than alternatives.

What are Its Uses?

The most common use for a standard pallet is to both store and transport products and other items in a warehouse. They're great for long-term transportation because they're durable enough to stand up to different environments and even climate changes, which is part of the reason why anything you've ever unloaded off of a semi-truck at a loading dock likely came on a pallet.

What are the Different Types?

Two-way pallets are one of the more common types available. These are designed to be lifted via either a forklift or pallet jack from either the front or the rear. Four-way pallets are similar, but they can also be accessed from the sides with the same equipment.

Speaking of equipment, it's also important to note that sometimes the type of machinery you need to use will be dictated for you by the pallet type you're working with. There are pallet types that cannot be used by specific types of forklifts and "walkie riders," for example. A 4-Stringer pallet cannot fit a "walkie rider" or a wide-toothed forklift. This is part of the reason why Advance Pallet offers 3-Stringer pallets, giving our customers the flexibility they need to know that any received pallets will fit the equipment they already have and are comfortable using.

What is a Skid?

It might be helpful to think of a skid as a "proto-pallet." They look very similar to standard pallets, but the former debuted long before the latter.

Skids have no bottom deck, which is a big part of the reason why they're less expensive. Because of this design, it's also easier to drag skids than it is pallets. They're mobile in that they can be used to transport goods, but they're also sturdy enough that they could even be used as a foundation for machinery if you need.



When to Use a Skid

If you're looking for some type of permanent foundation for heavy machinery, a skid would be the ideal option. Likewise, if you're moving small volumes of product in a way that you also need to be able to pull or push, a skid would be an ideal option. For the vast majority of situations where you need to transport or store a product, you'll want to use a pallet for the best results.

Key Differences Between Pallets and SkidS