Types of Loads In A Warehouse

Loads in a warehouse can be classified according to various ways such as volume, weight, shelf life, resistance and batch.

Types of loads according to their volume

• Small Loads: These are loads that can be carried by one hand and that are generally unified by one package such as a carton of juice.
• Medium Loads: These are loads that are slightly bigger and can way up to 10 Kgs but they can still be carried by hand.
• Large of Pallet Loads: These are larger loads which require standardized packaging and are grouped on a pallet for handling. This type of load cannot be handled manually but using mechanical means such as a forklift.
• Bulky Loads: These are larger loads that sometimes cannot even be stacked such as refrigerators. When items are vary bulky, they may require some special material handling equipment such as cranes in order to move them.
• Special Size Loads: These are exceptionally large and almost always very heavy loads. These loads may also require specific material handling equipment to transport them such as over-sized vehicles.

Types of loads according to their weight

• Light Loads: These are loads that do not exceed 5 kgs.
• Medium Loads: These are loads that have a minimum weight of 5 kgs and a maximum weight of 25 kgs.
• Heavy Loads: These are loads that weigh between 25 kgs and 1 ton.
• Very Heavy Loads: These are loads that weigh over 1 ton.

Types of loads according to the shelf life

• Perishable Loads: These are products with an expiry date such as foodstuffs.
• Non-Perishable Loads: These are products that do not have an expiry date such as construction materials.

Types of loads according to their resistance

• Resistant Loads: These are loads that can support weight on top of them. They products can be stacked on top of each other. The stacked products can be of the same type or of a different type of product.
• Light Loads: The loads can be stacked on top of each other but with established limits.
• Fragile Loads: These loads must be handled with special care due to their nature since they can be damaged or spoiled. They must be stored individually on the rack since they cannot be stacked.

Types of Loads According To Batch

• Unit Load: These are products whose batch consists of a single unit of goods.
• Loads Stored In Batches: Depending on the type of product, batches will compromise different units of good. Such as batches of a food product may not consist of the same number of units as a batch of lamps.