New 48 x 48 pallets

A 55-gallon steel drum is a little under 24 inches across, so four of them stand in a square just under 48 by 48. That is why the chemical and coatings trades use this footprint: the drums sit flush to the edges with nothing overhanging and nothing to slide. Square also means the pallet can be turned either way on a dock, which drum handlers find useful.

Against a 48 x 40, the deck boards are 8 inches longer, so each one spans further between stringers. Builds for drums commonly add deck boards so a solid board sits under each drum’s chime, the rolled rim it stands on, rather than a gap. Four full drums are a heavy, concentrated load, so a fourth stringer or thicker boards are common, and racked drum pallets need the deck worked out against the rack beam spacing.

On a square pallet the forks can come from any side if the build allows it. With notched stringers, forklifts can enter from all four sides but pallet jacks only from two; a block build takes both from every side. Tell us how your drums are moved. Drum pallets covers the rest of the spec.

A starting point for the spec at this size. Your load sets the final numbers.

Chemical and coatings buyers usually order this size in steady volumes, because drums go out every day. Writing the build down once means every load arrives on the same pallet, which matters when drums are racked: a pallet that is a board short or a stringer lighter is the one that sags. If you also fill pails or totes, list each container; one square can often carry all three if the deck is laid out for the smallest rim.

Stringers

Three or four, 48 in long

Top deck

Boards placed under each drum’s chime

Entry

Notched stringers or block for four-way handling

Lumber

Hardwood or dense pine for full drums

Racking

Deck drawn to the beam spacing

Will four drums overhang a 48 x 48?

A 55-gallon drum is a little under 24 inches across, so four stand inside the square with a small margin. Tight-head and open-head drums differ slightly; give the drum type.

Do drum pallets need a solid top?

Not solid, but the chime of each drum should land on a board, not a gap. That usually means more boards, or boards placed to the drum pattern.

What about totes?

Composite intermediate bulk containers often have their own base. If yours sits on a pallet, send its footprint and full weight.

Can a 48 x 48 carry bags or cartons instead?

Yes. It is simply a square footprint; bulk bags, cartons of powder and gaylord boxes ride on it too. Tell us the load so the deck coverage matches, because a bag needs far fewer gaps than a drum.

Do two fit across a trailer?

Two 48-inch widths make 96 inches, which fits inside a common 53-foot dry van with a little room to spare. Drum chimes or wrap standing beyond the deck can make the pair too wide, so measure the loaded width.