If you're looking for a stronger pallet solution, then you might already be looking at steel cages. While many of these products use mesh on their sides, you can also buy cages that have solid sheet sides. When are steel sheet cages a good option?

1. Your Items Need More Protection

While the mesh on a regular pallet cage helps keep many items contained, you can run into problems with some loads. The holes in the mesh create lots of little gaps through which things can protrude. For example, say you're using a pallet to move or store metal rods. The rods go in the pallet OK; however, if they shift around when you move the cage, then some might start to stick out through the mesh. If the ends bash up against something hard, then they might get scratched or even bent. Your waste damage costs could increase. If you use sheet pallet cages, then the sides of the cages are covered by solid sheets of metal. The cage will hold its contents inside more effectively.

2. Your Items Might Cause Accidents

If a mesh cage can't contain all of its load, then you might see an increased number of accidents. Items that poke through the mesh or that spill out of it could be problematic. For example, if metal rods were to stick out through a mesh, then anyone who gets too close to the cage could knock into the end of the rods. Your workers might get hurt, and their clothing might get ripped.  

Or, if a cage is carrying fine materials or liquids, then a rip in a bag or break in a container could result in leaks through the mesh. If you end up with something wet or slippery on the floor, then people might slip and hurt themselves. You won't have these problems if you use cages with solid sides. The sides hold materials safely inside where they can't do any harm or cause any damage.

3. Your Items Need Extra Stacking Care

If things can come through the mesh sides of a pallet cage, then you might have problems stacking your cages. This can be a particular problem if you store your cages in racks. If things poke out of a cage's sides in a rack, then they make it hard to create safe vertical storage towers. For example, if something protrudes into an adjacent cage, then you might not be able to take down the cage without bringing the other down with it. Solid cages prevent this problem. They stay self-contained.

For more information, contact pallet steel cage suppliers.