Do you want to increase production and reduce labor by investing in a nailing machine to build pallets? Maybe you already have one or more nailing machines and are considering adding another.
Machines that nail pallets automatically are vital to many pallet manufacturers and recyclers.
If you are weighing an investment in a nailing machine, there are a number of manufacturers that offer them to the pallet industry. Which machine is right for you? And which manufacturer is best for your business?
In the accompanying guide, we provide information about companies that supply nailing machines to the pallet industry. We have solicited each company for a description of its nailing machine products, their contact information and website address.
The Pallet Enterprise website (www.palletenterprise.com) is a great place to research options. You can enter keywords and look for different stories under the “Pallet Manufacturing” category on the top right of the homepage.
Types of Machines
Broadly speaking, there are two types of machines for nailing pallets. One group uses hydraulic, mechanical, or electrical power to drive bulk fasteners. The other group uses pneumatic nailing tools and collated fasteners for assembling pallets. The first group generally represents a higher capital investment; however, they offer the advantage that bulk fasteners cost less than collated fasteners.
Within both groups, there are many differences. For example, “stitch” nailing machines drive nails into one deck board at a time; the pallet is advanced automatically or a nailing gantry passes over it to continue the nailing process. With “beam” nailing machines, the pallet is oriented 90 degrees compared to a “stitch” nailer; it nails all the deck boards onto one stringer at one time.
There are additional differences. Some machines will have one nailing station or head, and the pallet is turned over so the top face can be nailed after the bottom face has been nailed. Tandem nailing machines have two nailing stations; after the bottom face is nailed, the pallet advances to the next station and is turned over to nail the top face. Depending on the machine and the level of automation, the pallet may be turned over by workers or it may be turned over automatically by the equipment. Optional equipment may include branders, stencilers, corner cutters and other features.
A relatively new improvement in the industry is the ability of some nailing machines to assemble pallets made of recycled lumber. Also, some pallet machinery suppliers have developed technology using advanced automation and/or robotics to eliminate manual handling of pallet components.
Some companies also offer jigs that can be used to assemble pallets with pneumatic nailing tools and collated fasteners. They are typically set up on an incline to make the work easier. Some require the pallet to be nailed by hand, while others will nail the pallet automatically calculate ROI
As with any capital investment, business owners should consider their return on investment (ROI). Some suppliers offer ROI calculation worksheets. This usually requires determining the number of pallets that would have to be nailed on the machine per day, production compared to hand nailing, labor savings and whether your business will support that volume.
Other factors to consider include what the machine can do for you. How versatile is it? For example, what’s the smallest pallet it can assemble and the largest? How quickly can it be changed over to a different pallet? What is the cycle time, or how long does it take to assemble one pallet? Will the machine be used to assemble stringer pallets or block pallets? Can it nail pallets with four stringers? Can it nail wing pallets? Can the machine be expanded or modified in the future to increase production or accommodate a larger range of pallets? How many operators does it require? What about automated features to reduce labor? How much will nails cost, whether in bulk or collated? Another key consideration is pallet quality.
As with any machine, it will need regular maintenance and service. What type of service and maintenance will the machine require? What about your employees? What kind of expertise and technical skills do the people who will be operating and maintaining the machine have? Does the machine have any self-diagnostic systems? Are cell phone apps available to help monitor production or identify performance issues? What kind of service and support can you expect from the manufacturer or supplier? Does the machine use off-the-shelf or custom parts available only from the manufacturer?
It’s worth noting that there are some obvious benefits to automation. Machines produce more consistent production levels. Machine-nailed pallets are also going to be of better and more consistent quality than pallets assembled by hand. Another significant benefit is that operating a nailing machine is easier for workers than building pallets by hand with a pneumatic nailing tool. Given the difficulty of finding labor, automation reduces wear and tear on workers.
If you have not done business in the past with the manufacturer or their representative, ask for referrals from other customers, especially other customers who own the machine you are considering purchasing. Talk to other customers about their experience with the machine and the supplier. You may even want to visit a few locations to see the machinery in action. If you are going to make a significant investment in a nailing machine, it is worth it to see the machine in operation, especially with the kind of lumber you will use as well as the type of pallets you envision building.
Be smart. Do the homework. There are many suppliers that can sell you a nailing machine to fit your company’s needs. You need to make sure that you find the right machine and the right supplier.
Pallet Nailing Machinery Checklist
1.) What production targets do you hope to achieve? How many pallets per shift?
2.) What are your budget and ROI expectations?
3.) How many operators can you realistically find and employ?
4.) What type of pallets do you want to be able to produce? Block, stringer, oversize pallets?
5.) What are the pallet sizes you need to produce?
6.) What machines have you used in the past and liked? What did you not like about those machines?
7.) How versatile does the machine need to be? What is the changeover time for the machine?
8.) What type of nails do you intend to use? Bulk or collated nails with pneumatic nail tools?
9.) How much maintenance and programming is your staff capable of doing?
10.) What type of operator interface do you want – a screen or buttons and switches?
11.) What are the facility and space limitations? What about the noise requirements?
12.) Do you want a machine that can be upgraded, or are you willing to settle for one that is less expensive but won’t be supported as well?
13.) How easy is a machine to maintain and acquire parts?
14.) What about robotics or advanced automation? Are you willing to pay more for advanced automation?
15.) What options do you want? Nailing machines can come with all sorts of bells, whistles and options. Do you want stackers, branders, or ink jet systems for labeling? What about end trimmers or inspection devices? Some U.S. companies are looking at auto-banders to ensure stack stability. There are lots of options available.
16.) How well does the vendor support installation? What type of documentation and training is available? Most of the major equipment suppliers in the pallet industry offer fairly good support, but it may come in different ways. Do you want in-person support and service? Are you looking for more remote training and diagnostics? How about videos and online tutorials?
17.) What growth do you expect in the future? You almost never want to buy a machine that has no margin to accommodate growth. That could limit your growth in the future. What do your business projections suggest?
Bronco Pallet Systems
Contact: Morris Self
Phone: (800) 458-5462
Email: broncosys@gmail.com
Website: www.broncosys.com
Type of Nailing Systems: Collated Fasteners, Block and Stringer Pallets, Semi-Automated
Bronco Pallet Systems manufactures patented block and stringer pallet assembly systems. Newer systems are engineered for assembling larger sizes and styles of pallets.
Most of the company’s nailing systems consist of an inclined workstation with a jig for workers to place pallet components. They are equipped with pneumatic nailing tools mounted on a cable or spring to eliminate the need for the worker to constantly pick up and put down the nailing tool.
After nailing one face of the pallet, the worker turns the pallet over to place the components for the other face and nails them. Bronco nailing systems are typically equipped with a stacker on the back to accumulate and stack finished pallets.
Bronco nailing systems require one operator and work well with recycled lumber. They require little maintenance and take up only a small footprint on the shop floor. Bronco equipment has a five-year warranty.
Bronco also designs and builds nailing systems for assembling oversize pallets, skids, and other custom pallets.
CAPE
Contact: Jeff Williams
Phone: (217) 291-0009
Email: jwilliams@prsgroupinc.com
Website: www.prsgroupinc.com
Type of Nailing Systems: Bulk Fasteners, Block and Stringer Pallets, Semi-Automated and Fully Automated
CAPE is a family business established in 1969 in Spain with a worldwide presence in more than 45 countries. Sales and support of all Cape equipment in the U.S. and Canada are through the PRS Group.
CAPE is one of the world’s leading suppliers of automatic equipment for the production of wooden pallets. Its nailers are known for their high production, low maintenance and operator friendliness.
From basic equipment to fully automated lines, CAPE uses the latest and best technology to ensure success on every project. Their constant investment in research and development makes CAPE the right partner for wood product producers with a long-term vision.
The CAPE design philosophy is to create modular equipment that allows expansion to increase the line’s capabilities and productivity while reducing labor.
The CAPE MACH series nailing lines ensure minimum set-up times for both block and stringer pallets. These machines are electrically driven nailers that run smoothly and quietly. The Mach 1 produces mats and skids; the popular Mach 2 produces stringer pallets and skids; and the Mach 3 is the flexible choice for block or stringer pallets.
The CAPE TANDEM nailing lines are hydraulic nailers and are best suited for medium-long production runs of both block and stringer pallets.
Mechanical and robotic lumber loading automation, branding, corner cutting/rounding, QC inspection, and painting options are also available on systems tailored to your specific requirements.
GBN Machine and Engineering Corp.
Contact: Raj Nainani or Paul Bailey
Phone: (800) 446-9871
Email: gbnmach@verizon.net
Website: www.nailerman.com
Type of Nailing Systems: Bulk Fasteners, Block and Stringer Pallets, Semi-Automated and Fully Automated
Based in Virginia, GBN Machine and Engineering Corp. manufactures new equipment to build wooden pallets in both block and stringer configurations. It offers several machine options that fill the need for low, medium and high-volume requirements for both block and stringer pallets. GBN also manufactures custom equipment.
The standard GBN Patriot stringer pallet system will build pallets with two to seven stringers. It can be equipped with three nail pans to utilize two different nail lengths on the same pallet.
The Patriot block and stringer pallet system will build stringer pallets as above and also build block pallets utilizing a fixture. GBN fixtures feature an air clamp system. Pallet components go in easily, and the finished pallet comes out easily — no pry bars required.
The GBN Trailblazer stringer pallet system is a two-head system; the first head nails the bottom of the pallet, and the second head nails the top of the pallet. It is an excellent system for using lesser-quality components, as the deck boards are placed by hand and the stringers are loaded into a hopper by hand. Options include automatic deck boards and stringer feeders and features to enable the assembly of block pallets.
The GBN Excalibur stringer pallet system is GBN’s premier machine for stringer pallet production. It will do everything the Trailblazer does but comes with both the automatic stringer and deck board feeders. The Excalibur II block pallet system is a machine for high-production nailing of block pallets.
J&J Machinery LLC
Contact: Jeffery Purnell
Phone: (850) 712-4975
Email: JJMachinery1@gmail.com
Website: www.JandJMachinery.com
J&J Machinery provides service for any type of pallet nailing machine or other wooden product assembly machine.
J&J Machinery offers tailored services to customers looking for machinery solutions. The company began by offering an aftermarket process to upgrade older nailing machines with current technology – eliminating relay logic and applying automation and encoder measurement.
J&J Machinery now offers services to update any nailing machine, regardless of its original manufacturer, to current standards and beyond. It can also convert modern machines into easily sourced logic controllers and human-machine interfaces. This makes it easy for owners and maintenance personnel to service or replace these integral parts if things go awry.
If your company does not have a nailing machine or needs one, J&J Machinery can help supply one. In addition to conventional pallet equipment, J&J offers custom services to build machinery for assembling almost any wooden product, such as reel flanges, box sides and bottoms, and more.
Midwest Machinery & Automation
Contact: Del Wagner or Wayne Wagner
Phone: (888) 577-3886
Email: info@woodpeckermachine.com
Website: www.woodpeckermachine.com
Type of Nailing Systems: Collated Fasteners, Block and Stringer Pallets, New and Recycled Lumber.
Midwest Machinery & Automation (MMA) offers American-made nailing machines to build new pallets and skids, including block and stringer pallets, plus machines to build pallets with recycled lumber.
MMA is the exclusive distributor for Woodpecker and Woodpecker Junior nailing machines. All Woodpecker nailing machines are built in Ohio; there are over 450 machines operating in North America. Every machine is built to customer specifications and can nail a variety of stringer pallet sizes and designs. All Woodpecker nailing machines are high-production and low-maintenance, and they increase productivity, employee retention, and profitability.
MASTer Recycler nailing machines are made in Iowa and are the original stringer pallet nailing machines designed to work with recycled lumber. All machines include an automatic pallet flipper to further reduce operator fatigue. They enable companies to build quality recycled pallets with less skilled labor, provide better ergonomics, and be more competitive.
Block Pallet Buddy nailing machines are built in Ohio on the proven Woodpecker Junior platform. The Little Buddy nailing machine builds mats and crate sides in a variety of sizes, and the optional stacker can double productivity. The Big Buddy nailing machine assembles block pallet bottoms while nailing a completed mat to the bottom. The Big Buddy comes with a stacker to ensure high productivity and low operator fatigue.
Call MMA for unique nailing solutions for wooden crates, pallets, and containers. All machines are designed, built, and supported in the U.S.
Pallet Chief Mfg.
Contact: Burl Landers
Phone: (256) 245-0417
Email: sales@palletchief.com
Website: www.palletchief.com
Type of Nailing Systems: Single Operator, Semi & Fully-Auto Nailing, Block and Stringer Pallets, Skids
Since Pallet Chief’s inception in 1990, the company has helped thousands of businesses in over 40 countries elevate their pallet production by providing a range of quality machines to operations of all sizes. It has developed a robust lineup of pallet nailers and stackers to tackle the full range of standard pallets, and it also works with pallet companies to develop custom machines for special and oversize pallets.
All machines in the Pallet Chief standard lineup now offer the ability to make four-stringer pallets with an included fourth stringer assembly and an extra nailing tool mounting kit for free.
Our most popular machine, the Pallet Chief II, offers preset nail spacing for top and bottom boards, streamlined pallet stacking, quick changeover between pallet sizes, and only requires a single operator to make 300-400 pallets per 8 hours. The Pallet Chief II uses collated nails that are guided into a custom-designed nail gun mounting hardware, which allows any malfunctioning nail guns to be quickly swapped out and keep production flowing.
The Pallet Chief II is the company’s number one seller and the easiest machine to recommend because of its simplicity, versatility, and unbeatable price. The fact that it only requires compressed air and 110 volts and does not use any complicated PLC systems makes the Pallet Chief II one of the easiest machines in the industry to operate and maintain.
To watch videos of the Pallet Chief II in action or to look at some of the company’s more automated machines, like the Pallet Chief IV, visit the company website or www.YouTube.com/palletchief.
Pallet Machinery Group
Contact: Doug Jones
Phone: (540) 644-9220
Email: doug.jones@palletmachinery.com
Website: www.PalletMachinery.com
Type of Nailing Systems: Bulk Fasteners, Block and Stringer Pallets, Semi-Automated and Fully Automated
Pallet Machinery Group has proudly served the pallet industry for more than 25 years as your single-source partner for new and used equipment and repair and rebuild services. PMG offers state-of-the-art nailing systems with operator-friendly touch screen controls, quick changeover, and the ability to process over 2,000 pallets per shift to maximize the efficiency of your operation. PMG’s automated nailers also feature bulk nails to ensure the highest structural integrity for your finished product, as pallets assembled with bulk nails have greater structural integrity and are less prone to lateral collapse than those assembled with collated nails.
PMG partners with the very best machine manufacturers and service providers to bring customers one of the widest catalogs of innovative, safe, and reliable nailing systems. Its new nailing equipment includes the LZ2000 Pallet Nailing System with Ethernet connectivity for remote support from PMG, a hydraulic power package, and tons of options to customize your build to fit your operation’s precise needs.
Pallet Machinery Group also offers used nailing systems from their wide range of reliable, high-quality used machinery (available for view on their website) and can help you find exactly what you need through their broad network of trusted sellers. Its service group can also breathe new life into older pallet nailing systems with custom upgrades, modernizing the technology of older machines to bring them up to today’s standards and keep them performing for years to come.
Pneumatico USA
Contact: Bartosz Wojciechowski
Phone: (978) 560-3775
Email: sales@pneumaticousa.com
Website: www.pneumaticousa.com/
Type of Nailing Systems: Collated Fasteners, Single Operator, Block and Stringer Pallets, New and Recycled Lumber
Pneumatico launched in the North American market last year offering a nailing solution designed to profitably produce small runs, oversized pallets and remanufactured pallets from recycled components. This machine can handle both stringer and block style pallets. The pneumatic single-operator machines come in three different sizes. All the other key features are the same. They boast small footprints, allowing for ease of use in many different facility layouts and reducing cycle time by allowing components to be staged close to the operator.
The PT-1900 requires 35.5 ft² compared to the PT-2800’s need for 53.2 ft² and the PT-3300’s use of 57.8 ft² of space. The PT-3300 can produce pallets up to 129.9" wide. While many pallet companies in North America make their own jigs, labor challenges are leaning toward a greater need for something better.
The Pneumatico line is very well made from quality components and metal. This equipment design reduces strain on the worker from bending down to work on a traditional jig. The pallet is vertical, allowing for easier access. Pneumatic clamps hold components in place. A pneumatic lift eases a pallet toward the operator, which makes it easier to manually lift and flip the pallet. Nail guns are suspended from balancers. Depending on the operator and pallet design, customers have routinely seen production range from 170 to 230 pallets for one operator on an eight-hour shift.
Pneumatico machines were introduced into the European market in 2016. They caught on quickly, with the installation of over 150 machines in more than a dozen countries across Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa. To see a video, visit www.youtube.com/channel/UCtFKXEMewkFrPrDE3ba-TeQ/videos
Rayco Industries, Inc.
Contact: Devin McDaniel or Bryan Spangler
Phone: (804) 321-7111
Email: pallets@raycoindustries.com
Website: www.raycoindustries.com
Type of Nailing Systems: Collated Fasteners, Stringer Pallets, Automated
Rayco Industries manufactures automated pallet nailing machines that use collated nails. It has installed over 400 machines across North America and Australia since the early 1990s.
The Rayco Pallet Pro requires one or two operators and has a cycle time of 20-30 seconds. It features a stringer feed system, an automatic pallet flipper to nail the top face, and an automatic stacking station.
The Pallet Pro is simple to operate and maintain. It is pneumatically controlled and has easy accessibility to parts, as well as a quick changeover time. The operator panel features a PLC with an LCD touch screen for ease of use and immediate operation feedback.
The standard Pallet Pro system features a three-stringer nailing table, a stacker, and a 10-foot outfeed roller table.
The Rayco Edge is also a one-operator machine and has a typical cycle time of 60 seconds. It features automatic stacking and discharge of completed stacks. The Edge can nail pallets made with recycled components. Like the Pallet Pro, it is simple to operate and maintain and can be changed over quickly.
Rayco nailing machines require 70 or 80 series pneumatic nailing tools. Their performance and reliability allow the gantry to nail deck boards ‘on the fly’ at high speed without stopping.
RT Pallet Equipment
Contact: Robert Trembley
Phone: (306) 737-3310
Email: roberttrembley@hotmail.com
Website: www.rtpalletequip.com
Type of Nailing Systems: Collated Fasteners, Block and Stringer Pallets, Semi-Automated Jigs with Stackers.
RT Pallet Equipment specializes in Third Man semi-automated pallet jigs with automatic stackers.
The company offers reliable, low-maintenance jigs that one man can operate to build pallets of all sizes and pairs them with automatic stackers. The jigs are on an incline to make it easy to place pallet stock. They operate with pneumatic nailing tools mounted on a counter-weighted gantry that is easily moved over the pallet and automatically nails one side of the pallet. The jigs can be used with any type of lumber. Jigs and stackers are fully pneumatic; no electricity is required.
The company offers systems to assemble pallets made of three stringers, four stringers, and five stringers; leg jigs; block pallets; and can design and build systems for custom-size pallets.
RT Pallet Equipment has been offering the Third Man nailing system for 20 years, and more than 360 of them are in operation.
The company puts a high priority on customer needs and designs and builds pallet nailing systems to meet those needs. A high percentage of its business comes from repeat customers and referrals.
Universal Machinery Sales Inc.
Contact: Mona Tracy
Phone: (812) 298-8090
Email: sales.universalmachinerysales@gmail.com
Website: www.universalmachinerysales.net
Type of Nailing Systems: Collated Fasteners, Stringer Pallets, Semi-Automated and Fully Automated
Indiana-based Universal Machinery Sales offers semi-automatic and fully automatic nailing machines to assemble wood pallets. The company also offers three pallet nailing jigs: the Nail Ease, the Nailing Station, and the Revo revolving table jig; they are designed for short runs or start-up operations. Universal Machinery Sales also offers services to design and manufacture custom pallet nailing systems.
The Universal In-Line Nailing Machine is a complete pallet nailing system for pallets made of three or four stringers. Once stringers are loaded into the hoppers, the machine automatically feeds them into the proper slots and advances them. The bottom deck boards are placed on the stringers, and they are nailed into place.
The machine advances the pallet and automatically flips it over. After the top deck boards are inserted, the machine nails the top face of the pallet and then the bottom face of the next pallet — a continuous nailing process. Pallets are stacked automatically and exit onto a 10-foot outfeed roller table.
The standard sizes of the Universal In-Line Nailing Machine are 60×60 and 84×64, with larger sizes available as an option.
The Nail Mate, a semi-automatic nailing system, is available in the standard size of 50×56. The work surface is angled to reduce strain and fatigue for the operator. Nailing is activated with the push of a button. Large rolls of collated nails are used for more nailing time.
The company offers options for different pallet sizes and nailing patterns, additional stringers, and assembling pallets of new or recycled lumber. All machines have a good production time.
Viking Engineering & Development
Contact: Randy Dahl
Phone: (763) 571-2400
Email: sales@vikingeng.com
Web: www.vikingeng.com
Type of Nailing Systems: Bulk Fasteners, Fully Automated
Viking has been a trusted partner for automated pallet equipment since 1975. As an industry leader with customers worldwide, Viking’s commitment is to provide superior products along with an excellent customer experience. By supplying genuine Viking parts, fasteners, Smart Data and service support, Viking is the one-stop shop for pallet assembly needs.
Viking nailing machines are engineered with innovative electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and PLC control components, representing state-of-the-art technology. All Viking machines offer the versatility to produce many different pallet types.
Viking’s newest machine, the Voyager, is a tandem machine featuring S3 board positioning, dual board hoppers, improved nail delivery and more. Voyager is designed to produce 2,400+pallets in an 8-hour shift.
Viking’s Turbo series machines are tandem nailing machines capable of producing 2,000+ pallets in an 8-hour shift. Turbos are engineered for high output, low maintenance and quick changeovers. The Turbo 505, known as the industry workhorse, has a 25-year reputation for speed, reliability, and durability.
The Express 403 is an economical tandem nailing machine. It can assemble 1,300+pallets per shift with only two operators. The Express 403 provides consistent output with low maintenance.
Champion series machines by Viking can assemble 500-600+ pallets per shift. Champion machines have the capability to use recycled, low-grade lumber.
Viper Industrial Products
Contact: Quinn Downs or Sean Johnson
Phone: (501) 229-7160
Email: cs@viper-us.com
Website: www.makepalletsgreatagain.com
Type of Nailing Systems: Collated Fasteners, Stringer Pallets, Semi-Automated and Automated
Viper Industrial Products offers three options for nailing machines: the Woody, the Honey Badger, and the TimberWolf. All three models use collated fasteners, feature heavy-duty construction and are available in multiple voltage configurations. There is no need for a stand-alone dryer, and low air volume is required. They have PLC controls, bilingual touchscreen operator interfaces, and are Ethernet-compatible. Components and parts are all domestically sourced and readily available. All machines are covered by a 12-month warranty.
The Woody can nail up to 600 pallets per shift, depending on design (ranging in size from 32×32 to 50×50), with one operator. The inclined table is designed for a more ergonomic operating surface on which to place components. It has a laser-guided nailing system to ensure perfect nailing patterns and laser alignment for quick changeovers. It features the industry’s first quick-release holder for pneumatic nailing tools.
The Honey Badger is designed to nail remanufactured and ‘combo’ pallets and can assemble pallets ranging from 24×24 to 60×50. It incorporates a unique clamping system that holds the deck boards down and prevents them from shifting from front to back. A laser measures the deck boards to compute nail spacing for firing. These features can accommodate different board thicknesses and widths without making extra adjustments. The Honey Badger can nail pallets made of any width of deck boards up to 10 inches wide, or can accommodate plywood decks with the touch of a button. Also now available with a four laser system for zipper top pallets.
The TimberWolf can nail 1,200 pallets per shift with two operators and features more automation, including an automated stringer feeder and pallet flipper. Other standard features include the Viper laser-guided nailing and flag system, quick adjustment screws and gantry clamps for easy and fast changeovers, and a stacker with an integrated brander. Options include a 90-degree discharge for limited space operations.
Lead times are as low as four months, with excellent field service and support.
