With over 600 Viking Champion nailing systems in the field, Viking has developed a way to retrofit existing stringer nailing systems so they can build block pallets. The new mat and block pallet kits can turn a Champion from a stinger only machine into a system that is capable of producing block pallets. These kits are available for use on 303s, 304s, and 305s if they are upgraded and on 304As and 306s as they were manufactured.
Rick Autey of Viking said, “We designed these kits to economically allow manufacturers to produce block pallets on units traditionally capable of making only stringer pallets.” Since it is a two stage process, Rick indicates that it typically takes about double the amount of time required to make a stringer design pallet.
First, you build the mats for the top deck. Then you build the perimeter bases and attach the top decks. The mat and block kits can be sold separately or together.
Viking indicates its new kits allow for accurate hydraulic nailing and will clinch nails, a feature required by many block pallet designs. The change over time to change from stringer to block or mat to block pallet production takes longer than the time needed to change stringer styles and sizes. It generally takes about 30 minutes to an hour to change stringer styles, where it can take anywhere from 1-2 hours to change over from a stringer to block or mat setting.
The new Powertable line fabricated in Europe by MC Technical Services is now being sold and serviced by Viking. This system requires two operators and produces about one perimeter base block style pallet per minute.
Both the mat/block kits for Viking Champions and the Powertable are available from Viking. This is the first major offering in a long time from Viking that allows the manufacture of both stringer and block pallet designs. For more information, call 800/328-2403.
