There are many stretch wrappers on the market, and they vary in model and features. So what should we pay attention to when choosing a stretch wrapper?

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1. Load Stability
   The most popular stretch wrapper is the turntable pallet stretch wrapper, which can handle most load types. However, for extremely light, heavy, or unstable loads, the turntable pallet stretch wrapper may not be the best choice. If the load is too light, the tension of the film will cause the load to collapse directly. In these cases, a stretch wrapper with a pressing-down device is a better choice because it can put some pressure on the goods to play a fixed role.
   In addition, self-propelled pallet wrappers are ideal for overweight loads. They can be pulled directly to the designated location to wrap the pallet. There is no need to use a forklift to lift the goods onto the turntable.
2. Drive Up Ramp
   Because the pallet needs to be transferred to the turntable, the stretch wrapper usually requires a forklift to work with it. However, if you want to use a pallet truck to move the palletized goods, you need to configure a ramp to push the goods onto the turntable of the stretch wrapper.
3. Mast Height
   The standard wrapping height for turntable pallet stretch wrappers is 80 inches high (6 feet 8 inches). However, there are some load heights will vary depending on the products you are shipping. If your load will exceed 80 inches in height, you will need to extend the mast.
4. Turntable Size
   The standard turntable diameter for turntable stretch wrappers is 65 inches. They can accommodate the most commonly used (40 x 48 inches) pallets in the turntable. If you use larger pallets, you will need to purchase a larger turntable. Pallets that hang off the turntable are extremely unstable and can easily collapse or collide with the equipment itself, posing a safety hazard to the operator.
5. Integrated Scale
   Often the last step we do before shipping is wrapping, and a stretch wrapper equipped with an integrated scale can help us quickly check whether the goods match the quantity ordered. Ensure that customers do not receive incomplete orders.
   On the other hand, weighing the goods can help us avoid fines from trucking companies. They do not always have the means or opportunity to weigh the goods loaded in the truck, and more often they rely on the shipper to tell them the weight. However, if you provide an inaccurate weight, they may be fined, which you will ultimately have to pay for.

Things to Consider Before Buying the Stretch Wrapper

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Buying a stretch wrapper need not be a complicated or painful process. Yet, you must invest in some quality time finding answers to some simple questions and identify the right Stretch Wrap Machine which can balance your budget, needs and efficiency.

Choosing between automatic and semi-automatic machines

The first step in your buying process for a stretch wrap machine is determining whether you need a fully automatic or semi-automatic machine. You should also remember that there are multiple variants within these two categories. Let us find answers to some of the crucial questions that will help you arrive at the right decision in this regard.

1. What items would you be wrapping?

2. How do you achieve the task presently

3. Number of loads moving out per day

4. The extent of shipping damages, if any, and the cause of damage

With competitive price and timely delivery, Eopac Machinery sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.

5. Does the load stay intact, or rotate

6. What is the size of the pallet in use

7. What is the weight of the heaviest pallet

8. Maximum height at which you stack the products

9. Weight of the lightest pallet

10. Do you weigh your loads and if yes why?

11. What is the mode of loading the pallets on your stretch wrapper- do you use a forklift or pallet jack

12. Number of pallets wrapped every hour or the total per day

13. How many shifts do you operate in a day

When you have found the answers to these questions, the process of choosing the right stretch wrap machine gets a lot easier.

Pallet size is among your important considerations

Things such as the size of the pallet, weight and height of the loads can have a huge impact on the stretch wrap machine that can work best for you. When the pallets you employ are larger compared to the usual 40x48&#; you may need a wrap zone or larger turntable. If the pallets extend beyond the wrap zone or turntable can be fraught with risk and therefore the right size becomes crucial. Similarly, the height of the load is another factor that will have a bearing on the size of components in the machine. For example, in semi-automatic machines, the standard height is 80 inches. When your loads are taller, you should add an extended mast.

Another aspect to be considered is extremely heavy or extremely light loads when you are considering various options. At times, a stretch wrap machine employs a top platen to hold or stabilize/ hold down unstable or light loads. Straddle style wrappers, on the other hand, comes with a wrapped arm rotating around the pallet is ideal for very heavy loads (>5,000 pounds).

Working with established manufacturers

Your stretch wrap machine is expected to serve your needs for a reasonably long time. Therefore, your focus should be on a reputed vendor who has several installations in your neighbourhood than someone who has a just a few installations. You can expect the top quality machines from vendors who have been in the business for several decades can generally give you machines of the best quality.

Reliability

The next consideration is reliability. Once you have purchased the right machine for you, you may need help getting acquainted with the machine. There may also be situations when the machine throws up problems that you cannot resolve. In all these situations, you need a reliable vendor who will provide immediate assistance and ensure that your work suffers the least disruption.

Price vs. Quality

Some vendors may offer quotes that are far below the average quote that you get from different vendors. But if you focus on quality that can serve you for several years, your initial investment may be relatively expensive. The best way to understand this in-depth is to analyse the cost of the machine vs. its expected life and arrive at a cost per year. Once you have these numbers you can easily see why quality is a better option than the initial gain from a cheap vendor.

Understand your cost drivers

Consider how certain key factors influence your cost of the stretch wrapper.

• With a stretch wrapper, you can effectively wrap the loads and bring down or even eliminate potential shipping damage
• Labour &#; Look for features that enhance the productivity of your as a comparison between manual wrapping and an efficient machine
• Film cost can come down by about 50% with power-driven pre-stretch film delivery
• Good quality machines will need close to zero maintenance which means your work will go on with hardly any downtime
• Your investment is spread over many years of the equipment&#;s life cycle

Material, labour and damage are among the highest costs involved in using a stretch wrapper. Understand how these costs will be impacted when you invest in a stretch wrapper.

Safety

Safety is important for you and your employees alike. When your stretch wrap machine comes with in-built safety features, you have lesser worries. Check out the following elements:-

• All motors and wires are fully enclosed
• Control panel and film delivery should be on one side
• The film delivery system has guarded rollers

These are among features that help reduce workplace injuries and keep your operators protected.

Conclusion

Being an informed customer before you start shopping for your stretch wrap machine will ensure that your investment returns hassle-free working for several years to come.

Want more information on pallet wrapper with top platen? Feel free to contact us.