Engine Collection Best Practice

Depending on your field of work, you might have to rely on an engine pallet delivery once in a while – maybe you want to sell your old car piece by piece, or you are just a supplier that has to ship engines or similar type of shipments once in a while.

It is well known that most of the times, your shipping provider will deny any damage claims if the pallet has not been properly prepared for the shipping – for example, if oil or other fluids leak on to other cargo, you might be faced with surcharges as well.

In today’s article, we’ll tell you how to properly prepare your engine or engine collection for being shipped on a pallet.

Remember that, if you want to reduce the risks of your pallet being damaged, you can always rely on our pallet network, which has around 89 strategically placed hubs throughout the UK.

Draining all the Fluids

Before even thinking at the pallet you are going to use or contacting an engine courier pallet service, you must get rid of all the oil and fluids inside your engine/engines.

Each of the components that you want to be shipped must be fully drained of all fluids, including water. Keep in mind that a collection driver will most likely test if there are any liquids inside the components, by using a dipstick.

If oil/fluids are found, then your shipment may be refused, and you may also be faced with non-collection surcharges.

Preventing Leakage

In order to prevent any sort of leakage, it is recommended that you place the engine/motor parts on absorbent material. In this respect, you may even use an old carpet. This has to be done before placing the engine on the pallet.

Positioning the Engine

The engine must be centrally positioned on the pallet. Furthermore, it is advised that you allow a minimum of around 3 inches in excess on the pallet area, on all sides around the items. If there’s any movement, this excess will prevent the items from overhanging.

In some cases, overhanging items may inflict a second pallet space charge.

Stabilizing the Engine

Most of the engine’s surface should make contact with the pallet. The engine must be strapped securely onto the pallet in order to prevent it from moving and tipping. It is advised that you use steel banding or ratchet straps – at least two straps should be used on the top of small pieces in order to minimise their movement.

Tips and Tricks

Position and stability are two important factors when shipping an engine – keep in mind that your pallet will have to be loaded and unloaded several times until it reaches its destination.

In this respect, you have to comply with all of the aforementioned – not only to avoid any surcharges but also to make sure that your item will reach the end of its journey undamaged.

Reportedly, one of the safest ways to ship an engine or motor part is by placing it inside a car tyre before securing it onto the pallet. After this, you have to ratchet strap the engine – the car tyre will absorb any shocks or such and will further stabilise the engine.