Choosing the wrong forklift entry type causes handling inefficiency, pallet damage, and safety risks. Florida Pallet Supply explains the difference between 2-way, 4-way notched, and 4-way block pallets so you can specify the right type for your operation.
Forklift entry type determines how your pallet can be approached by material handling equipment. Getting it right prevents handling bottlenecks and equipment damage.
| Entry Type | Entry Points | Typical Use | Forklift/Jack Compatible | Relative Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Way (standard stringer) | 2 sides (short ends only) | Conveyor systems, dedicated lane storage, shipping | Counterbalance forklift only | Lowest |
| 4-Way Notched (GMA stringer) | All 4 sides (notched for jack) | Grocery, retail, general distribution, racking | Forklift + pallet jack (partial side entry) | Standard |
| 4-Way Full / Block | Full 4-way from all sides | Automotive, cold storage, automated systems | Forklift + pallet jack (full access) | Premium |
Florida Pallet Supply stocks 2-way, 4-way notched, and block pallets. Tell us your handling equipment and we'll recommend the right entry type.
Get a QuoteThe entry type printed on a spec sheet has direct operational consequences in your warehouse. A 2-way pallet in a tight cross-dock environment forces operators to maneuver for specific approach angles - wasting time and increasing collision risk. A 4-way notched pallet allows pallet jacks to enter from the side, critical for operations where full forklift access is not always available. A true 4-way block pallet allows full forklift entry from any direction, making it the choice for automated systems and high-throughput environments. Florida Pallet Supply stocks all three entry types and builds custom pallets to your specified entry configuration. The NWPCA provides construction standards for all pallet entry configurations. See our stringer pallet guide and block pallet guide for deeper dives into each construction type.
The physical difference between entry types comes down to pallet construction - specifically how the stringers or blocks allow or restrict fork and wheel access.
2-Way Entry: A 2-way pallet has three continuous stringers running the full length of the pallet. Forklift tines enter only from the two short-end openings between the stringers. The outer stringers form a solid wall on the two long sides, blocking side entry entirely. 2-way pallets are simpler and slightly less expensive to produce, and they maintain full stringer cross-section without the material reduction caused by notching. They are appropriate for operations where pallets always arrive in predictable orientations - conveyor systems, dedicated shipping lanes, automated guided vehicle systems.
4-Way Notched Entry: The standard GMA pallet achieves 4-way entry by cutting rectangular notches in the two outer stringers at the midpoint of each long side. These notches allow pallet jack wheels to pass under the pallet from the sides - but note that the notches provide only partial opening, not full clearance for a forklift's front axle. True side forklift entry on a notched stringer pallet is possible but constrained. Notching reduces the stringer's cross-section at the notch point, slightly reducing load capacity versus a 2-way pallet of the same construction. The standard GMA 48x40 is a 4-way notched stringer pallet.
4-Way Full Entry (Block Pallets): Block pallets use 9 wooden blocks in a 3x3 grid instead of stringers. The spaces between the blocks provide full, unobstructed entry from all four sides for both forklifts and pallet jacks. This is true 4-way entry without the load capacity compromise of notching. Block pallets have higher load ratings in all three capacity categories (static, dynamic, racking) and are the preferred choice for automated material handling systems that approach pallets from variable directions.
The standard 48x40 GMA notched stringer pallet - with 4-way notched entry - is the universal standard for grocery and retail distribution. Its compatibility with both forklifts and standard pallet jacks makes it ideal for the mixed equipment environments typical of retail distribution centers and store back rooms. Florida Pallet Supply maintains large inventory of 4-way GMA notched pallets for retail and grocery customers across FL, GA, NJ, MD, and DE.
Get Retail Pallets →Manufacturing operations with dedicated pallet flow lanes and predictable approach angles often use 2-way stringer pallets for cost efficiency. Production lines where pallets are always loaded and unloaded from the same direction do not need 4-way entry and benefit from the slightly lower cost of 2-way construction. For heavy manufacturing with automated handling, block pallets with full 4-way entry provide the operational flexibility needed.
View Pallet Types →Regional grocery distribution centers serving Florida supermarkets and convenience stores depend on 4-way notched GMA pallets that their receiving teams can handle from any direction with either forklifts or pallet jacks. Florida Pallet Supply is a trusted supplier to grocery distribution operations throughout Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware, with consistent Grade A recycled and new GMA pallet inventory.
Request Quote →No. A standard 2-way stringer pallet has solid outer stringers that block side entry entirely. Only counterbalance forklifts can pick up a 2-way pallet, and only from the two short-end openings. If your operation relies heavily on hand pallet jacks or electric rider jacks, a 4-way notched stringer or block pallet is required to allow side entry. This is one of the most common pallet entry specification mistakes Florida Pallet Supply helps customers avoid.
Yes, modestly. Cutting notches in the outer stringers reduces their cross-sectional area at the notch point, which slightly reduces the stringer's bending resistance. For the standard GMA 48x40, this notch-related capacity reduction is already factored into the rated capacities (5,500 lbs static, 2,200 lbs dynamic, 2,800 lbs racking). If you need maximum load capacity without the notch compromise, block pallets provide full 4-way entry with even higher load ratings (8,000 lbs static).
Both allow forklift approach from all four sides, but the mechanism and performance differ significantly. A 4-way notched stringer pallet uses rectangular cutouts in the outer stringers to allow pallet jack wheels to pass under - but the notches provide only limited clearance, and the stringer's structural integrity is partially compromised at the notch point. A 4-way block pallet uses 9 wooden blocks with full open spaces between them, providing unrestricted entry for forklifts and pallet jacks from all sides, with no structural compromise. Block pallets have significantly higher load ratings.
Automated warehouses and robotic material handling systems generally require 4-way entry pallets - either 4-way notched GMA stringer or, more often, block pallets - because automated systems approach from variable directions. Many AS/RS (Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems) and conveyor-based systems specify block pallets specifically because their consistent geometry and unrestricted entry are better suited to automated handling. Contact Florida Pallet Supply to discuss pallet specifications for automated warehouse applications.
Yes. Florida Pallet Supply stocks 2-way stringer pallets, 4-way notched stringer pallets (including the standard GMA), and 4-way block pallets. We also build custom pallets to any entry configuration requested. All three entry types are available for delivery to FL, GA, NJ, MD, and DE. Contact our team to discuss which entry type is right for your specific handling equipment and warehouse configuration.
Fast delivery across Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware. 2-way, 4-way notched, and block pallets available.
Need Pallets? Get Your Free Quote Today!
Get Quote