Pallet Wrappers Vs. Stretch Wrap Turntables: What's the Difference?

Every year, industry publication Modern Materials Handling surveys pallet users to see how trends in unit-load shipping are shaping up. In 2022, this Pallet Report offered some pretty good news: Nearly three quarters (74%) of respondents said load stability wasn’t a problem. Their pallet loads rarely or never fall apart on the way to receivers.

How are pallets delivering such good results? The magic isn’t in the pallet. Stability comes largely thanks to the humble stretch wrap. The report’s most common method of securing unit loads—reported by 65% of respondents—was wrapping loads with stretch film.

Of course, stretch wrapping pallet loads isn’t always a low-cost endeavor. More than half of the Pallet Report’s respondents said they wrapped unit loads manually. That takes time, which deepens labor costs. It also subjects workers to ergonomically risky activities, as they stretch and reach and circle the load again and again.

If you’re struggling to improve safety and efficiency in your pallet-wrapping operation, the good news is that material handling equipment can help. When you begin your search for a solution, however, you might be confused by the terminology. Some sellers advertise pallet wrappers. Others sell stretch wrap turntables. Many offer both.

So what’s the difference between a pallet wrapper and a stretch wrap turntable? More to the point, which one will deliver the most benefits for your shipping operation? Here’s a quick review of two major types of load-wrapping technologies.

Looking for a faster, safer way to secure unit loads at your facility? Ask about the Electric Pallet Turntables from BHS, Inc.

Comparing Pallet Wrappers and Stretch Wrap Turntables

Regardless of what you call it, pallet wrapping equipment tends to share at least one basic component: a rotating surface that supports the pallet and spins to draw film. These turntables fall into three categories:

1. Manual Stretch Wrap Turntables. These non-powered pallet positioners require at least two employees to operate: One to spin the pallet, and the other to hold a stretch film dispenser. While they can simplify pallet-wrapping, these solutions are primarily meant for building or breaking down pallets, as in the case of the self-leveling Pallet Carousel & Skid Positioner.

2. Semi-Automated Stretch Wrap Turntables. Add a motor and a control pedal and you give a single operator the power to wrap loads. These solutions use an internal motor to spin pallets while a stationary user handles a film dispenser.

3. Fully Automated Stretch Wrap Turntables. These stretch wrap machines add an automatic film dispenser to the self-rotating turntable. They’re advertised as fully automated devices, although of course they still require staff to load, operate, and manage the load-wrapping process.

Based on our review of major manufacturers and dealers of pallet-wrapping equipment, pallet wrappers and stretch wrap turntables fall into two of these categories. Simply put, a pallet wrapper is typically a fully automated stretch wrap turntable. Equipment described as a stretch wrap turntable is more often semi-automated.

The main engineering difference between pallet wrappers and stretch wrap turntables is the automatic film dispenser, an attached mast that raises and lowers a roll of stretch film to cover the whole unit load. With a fully automated pallet wrapper, staff don’t have to stand by with a hand-held film dispenser.

However, that doesn’t mean pallet wrappers are the best choice for every operation. Comparing pallet wrappers with powered turntables, the labor demands are similar. In both cases, at least one employee must oversee the wrapping process. And a hand-held film dispenser gives the user more control over wrapping pattern and containment force. That can be an advantage when you wrap loads of multiple sizes, shapes, and configurations.

The best way to decide which equipment is right for your operation is to install a single solution and see how it does. Interested in experiencing the benefits of a stretch wrap turntable at your facility? Try the Electric Pallet Turntable from BHS, Inc. This semi-automated solution allows a single user to wrap up to a dozen pallet loads every hour, all with easy-to-use, ergonomic features that help to prevent fatigue and injury.

Contact the BHS sales team at 1.800.BHS.9500 to learn more about the Electric Pallet Turntable and other innovative pallet-handling solutions.