By cargo volume
Partial loads
When shipping or ordering cargo, many companies do not always use a full transport vehicle. In such cases, the goods in question are transported as PARTIAL LOADS. When transporting partial loads, it is important to pay close attention to the details of the shipment, as a properly selected service provider, such as Alpok-Trans Kft., can offer its clients solutions with an excellent price-value ratio. The better the carrier knows the expectations of its partners, the better the options it can offer them.
Full loads
If a cargo occupies the entire capacity of a transport vehicle, we refer to this as a full load. Capacity can be booked based on weight or volume. When transporting full loads, it is worth considering several options… How much space does the load take up and how much does it weigh? … If the load does not require a full 40-tonne truck, it is worth considering transporting the load as a partial load. In many cases, this can be more cost-effective. The colleagues at Alpok-Trans Kft. examine each shipment to determine the most optimal mode of transport and type of vehicle to meet the partner’s expectations while maximizing efficiency.
Cargo with special transport requirements
Any cargo that can be transported under certain conditions or exceeds the legal limits in terms of size or weight is considered to be goods requiring special transport. This does not mean that it must always be transported differently than usual, but rather that we at Alpok-Trans Kft. handle it with special attention and care.
Transportation of temperature-controlled goods
If the transport of goods requires them to remain within a certain temperature range, this must be achieved using a temperature-controlled or insulated cargo vehicle. The most typical types of goods are refrigerated and frozen goods. However, weather conditions may require the cargo space to be kept warm rather than cold. Examples include live or freshly cut plants (flowers) or the transport of preserves and canned goods in winter.
Transportation of oversized cargo
If the dimensions of a shipment exceed the legal limits but it must be transported by road, we refer to this as oversized transport. There are many possible solutions depending on the extent to which the limits are exceeded. These range from the simplest and smallest cargo space widening to complex special route transport with road closures and escort vehicles. However, one important thing remains the same in all cases: the organization requires special attention and precision.
Transportation of overweight cargo
If the cargo weight of goods to be transported exceeds the legal limit but must be transported by road, this is referred to as overweight transport. Permitted overweight transport does not mean transport with an unreported overloaded vehicle, but a solution that has been properly implemented as a result of an approval process. When organizing transport, the load-bearing capacity of the roads and bridges concerned, as well as the technical and other regulations applicable to the transport vehicle offering the solution, must be taken into account.
Transportation of sensitive goods
There are transport requirements that impose special conditions on the transport solution. In addition to the temperature control requirements described above, any other physical requirements may also apply to a given shipment. These include, for example: vibration protection, acceleration/deceleration protection, sterility protection, light protection, moisture protection, and many more. At Alpok-Trans Kft., we believe that our partners’ expectations are important and necessary for maintaining the appropriate quality. That is why quality is a basic requirement for us as well!
By transport solution
Express delivery / "When you need to hurry..."
“Stuck, missed, left behind, left there… or you just need that particular item very quickly.”
This mode of transport provides a reliable, safe solution for such cases.
Features: After picking up the cargo, it is transported from the loading point to the unloading point with only the most necessary rest breaks. Often, only “small cars” with a maximum permissible weight of 3.5 tons can meet the required deadline. For larger loads, the transport vehicle is operated by two drivers to ensure the fastest possible road transport within the rules. This form of transport is perhaps the most expensive, but it is also the fastest.
Circular transport / "When you need to deliver and collect..."
“There would be cargo on the way there and back, and there would be other goods… I would take it there and bring it back…”
This mode of transport offers a convenient and highly flexible solution for such cases.
Features: From loading to the entire transport process, the truck only deals with the customer’s tasks… from departure to return to the place of departure. This mode of transport is available for any vehicle category. The capacity of the truck can be used flexibly and to the maximum. This form of transport is more expensive than other solutions, but offers maximum flexibility and predictability.
Collective transport / "It'll get there eventually, but at least it's not so expensive..."
“The goods are not sensitive, not too expensive… and there’s no rush…”
This mode of transport offers a more affordable solution for such cases.
Features: Only partial loads can be transported in this way. After loading, the goods are usually taken to a collection warehouse. From there, another means of transport takes them to another collection warehouse in the destination region, and finally a third transport vehicle delivers the cargo to its destination. Multiple transshipments carry a higher risk of damage to the goods. This mode of transport is most often achieved by using different categories of vehicles and multiple transshipments. This form of transport is generally one of the most cost-effective, but transit times are long.
Transportation / "I need a car to bring it back..."
“The goods need to be transported safely, on time, but at an affordable price…”
This is known as “return transport.” It is the ideal solution for most companies and businesses. Alpok-Trans Kft. is a master of this mode of transport!
Features: A mode of transport that can be easily implemented both domestically and internationally. It can be used for all categories of trucks. After loading, the goods are not transshipped, making it safer than groupage transport. The transport is relatively fast and easy to plan, with short transit times. This form of transport is usually the best solution when a flexible solution is needed at a favorable cost.
Cargo-forming devices
Cargo-forming devices are platforms and aids that can be easily moved with a forklift truck and enable goods to be converted into unit loads. Their purpose is to protect the goods to be transported, simplify loading and reduce transport costs. These include, for example, loading boards (pallets), collapsible sidewall loading boards, grids, grid storage containers, frames, igloos (containers built on pallets, covered with a sheet, without reinforcement), gitterboxes, and rigid air containers. In terms of use, they can be single-use (one-way) or reusable. In terms of material, they are made of pressed paper, wood, plastic or metal. Typically, reusable containers are exchangeable containers, which represent different amounts depending on their quality class.
COMMONLY USED STANDARD PALLET SIZES IN EUROPE (excerpt)
THE TRADITIONAL EUR PALLET
Other names: EU PALLET, EURO PALLET, MÁV PALLET, CHEP PALLET, manufactured in accordance with the provisions of the EUROPEAN STANDARD (Codex). Previous national customs and standards have been harmonized and unified.
Characteristics:
Reusable open block pallet that can be picked up from 4 sides. Can be moved with all types of forklifts and lifting equipment. On the long side,
lifting forks can be inserted above the foot plates, while on the short side, it can be lifted without obstruction using manually operated lifts.
Dimensions:
Length: 1200 mm
Width: 800 mm
Height: 138-145 mm
Replaceable packaging: YES!
BOTTOM BOARD PALLET … or the “thousand-named” pallet
Other names: SMALL ENGLISH PALLET, FRENCH PALLET, EUR 2, CONTAINER PALLET, LARGE EU PALLET, “CHEP PALLET”, GNK PALLET (EPAL CP6 standard), etc.
Characteristics:
Reusable open block pallet that can be picked up from 4 sides. The construction is reinforced compared to the EU pallet. The bottom boards
are reinforced on four sides and in the middle. The disadvantage is that it can only be lifted and handled from all 4 sides by accessing the bottom boards. It can be easily handled with all industrial forklifts, but cannot be lifted with support arm forklifts. The advantage during loading is that the shaped bottom boards facilitate the entry of the forks, and it can withstand the stacking and loading of goods (it can hold very heavy weights statically).
Dimensions:
length: 1200 mm
width: 1000 mm
height: 158 mm
WIDTHENED BOTTOM BOARD / LARGE ENGLISH or "EUR-3" pallet.
Characteristics:
Reusable open block pallet that can be picked up from four sides. It differs from the standard ANGOL / EUR 2 pallet only in size. It used to be a common type in European road transport, but its importance began to decline in the early 2000s. Today, it is mainly used in rail transport and mixed transport. It was mainly used in rail transport by the agricultural and milling industries, but it is also popular in the engineering industry
due to its high load capacity and stability. It has a standard baking / labeling system.
Dimensions:
length: 1200 mm
width: 1200 mm
height: 160 mm
EPAL CP3 - The "textile" pallet:
Characteristics:
Reusable open block pallet that can be picked up from four sides. Easy to move with any loading equipment. Withstands stacking and stacking on top of each other. Pallet of minor importance in European road transport, specific to a particular sector (textile industry). Described by German custom (industry standard). Cannot be used without phytosanitary treatment!
Dimensions:
Length: 1140 mm
Width: 1140 mm
Height: 138 mm
EPAL CP4 pallet:
Type:
Reusable open pallet that can be picked up from four sides. Easy to move with any loading equipment.
Dimensions:
Length: 1300 mm
Width: 1100 mm
Height: 138 mm
EPAL CP7 (REINFORCED BOTTOM BOARD CP4 pallet):
Type:
Reusable open pallet that can be picked up from four sides. Easy to move with any loading equipment.
Dimensions:
Length: 1300 mm
Width: 1100 mm
Height: 156 mm
NON-STANDARD / NON-REGULATION SIZE PALLETS USED IN EUROPE (excerpt)
STRINGER / AMERICAN TYPE / GMA / CPC or CDA type pallet.
Characteristics:
Reusable open block pallet that can be picked up from four sides. The main features of stringer pallets are their side-loaded design and fork pockets. Unlike earlier models, the load is not supported by cube blocks at the edges of the pallet, but by longitudinal “beams” or stringers at the base. These stabilize the pallet at the load points, allowing it to carry heavier loads. The beams have fork pockets where the forklift can lift the pallet safely. Thanks to the fork pockets, the pallet is accessible from all four sides, both open and closed. This type of pallet is therefore equivalent to a reinforced open block pallet.
Dimensions:
length: 1200 mm
width: 1000 mm or 1200 mm
height: 145 mm
SIDE RAIL PALLET
Characteristics:
This pallet with side and center blocks can only be handled from two directions. It can be easily handled by virtually any industrial forklift,
but cannot be lifted with reach trucks. The shaped bottom boards facilitate the entry of the forks. This pallet is mostly used in Africa and Asia. It is not listed as a replacement pallet in Eurobar, but is mostly requested on a company-specific basis.
Dimensions:
Length: 1200 mm
Width: 1000 mm
Height: 168 mm
COMMONLY USED STORAGE PLATFORMS IN EUROPE
SOLID OR MESH PALLET, I.E. GITTERBOX (abbreviated name "GIBO"):
A widely used stacking and load-forming device throughout Europe. In most cases, it is made of metal, but plastic versions are also common. It plays a significant role in the metal industry and machine manufacturing. Its design makes it suitable for the bulk transport of smaller metal goods. There are several types of pallet boxes, which are described by standards and conventions.
Their characteristics:
Reusable, open or with a superstructure.
Can be picked up from 4 sides.
Easy to move with any loading equipment.
Withstands stacking well, metal design suitable for transporting heavy loads.
Reusable packaging: YES, IN ALL CASES
Dimensions:
length: 1200 mm
width: 800 mm
height: depending on superstructure
MOBILE CARTS, MOBILE CONSOLES:
A walled, grid, shelf, or mesh stacking and load-forming device equipped with some kind of rolling base. They are made of a variety of materials and are usually used in combination. Their appearance may vary depending on the industry, but they are widespread in almost every corner of the world. There are basically two types, but their sizes may vary according to customer requirements.
Reusable packaging: YES, IN ALL CASES
Main types:
A.) Standard/conventional pallet base areas
B.) Other conventional/standard base areas
PIPE CLAMPS
– Mostly a cassette-shaped device made of some kind of wood, usually
equipped with a tension lock.
– Their size is adapted to the cargo to be transported; there are no standards or conventions.