<\/p>\n
Problem or Opportunity?<\/strong><\/p>\n LTL \u2013 less than truckload \u2013 pallet loads are a challenge.<\/p>\n Because they\u2019re usually low volume, order picked loads are often fragile, unstable or odd sized, they\u2019re among the hardest loads to stretch wrap.\u00a0 And because they\u2019re handled so much, they have a high risk of being damaged during shipment.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Not to worry, though. This risk can be reduced. Follow these three rules when you wrap LTL loads and you\u2019ll maximize their chances of arriving safely on your customers\u2019 docks.<\/p>\n Rule #1 \u2013 Wrap ‘Em Tight!<\/strong><\/p>\n Tight is what stretch wrapping\u2019s all about. We have guidelines that tell you how tight you should wrap the more standard loads (i.e. how many pounds of containment force you should have on the load). But there\u2019s so much variation among LTL loads that it\u2019s hard to apply them.<\/p>\n On top of that, it\u2019s unlikely that the people who actually stretch wrap LTL loads have the tools to measure the \u201ctightness\u201d (containment force) of each load they wrap.<\/p>\n So what\u2019s \u201ctight\u201d then? For LTL loads, it boils down to your gut feel as to how tight the load should be wrapped \u2013 then make it just a little tighter for good measure. Remember, with stretch wrapping, tighter is better!<\/em> Don\u2019t crush or distort the load though \u2013 that\u2019s too tight.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t worry about using too much film. A few extra revolutions of stretch film are cheap insurance. The safety of your loads is what\u2019s important. In this case, it\u2019s better to be safe than sorry. Your goal\u2019s highest wrap quality<\/em> not lowest film cost. Once again, tighter is better.<\/p>\n Rule #2 \u2013 Rope, Rope, Rope!<\/strong><\/p>\n Make a film rope by grabbing the top edge of the film web with one hand and the bottom edge just underneath with the other hand and making fists while bringing your hands together. As the load rotates, it will pull the film thorough your hands like a \u201crope.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s a good idea to wear gloves and slow the turntable speed to 3 or 4 RPMs \u2013 particularly for the first few times you try this.<\/p>\n Now that you\u2019ve made a rope, you can apply a strong, narrow film web (the rope) exactly where you want it and cope with irregular surfaces or variations in the load. Check out the video to see how.<\/p>\n