Masonry Magazine October 1977 Page. 9
Q.
like to figure out a way to get our block producer to put our block on a pallet. We are using all concrete block, and some of our walls are 40 to 50 feet high. Our problem is this: we can't put a full pallet of block on tower type scaffolding. The forklift comes up, picks up the pallet, and holds it up there while two laborers take the block off and spread them on the scaffold. If we put the block down, we would overload the scaffold. So we either break them down on the ground or unload them up there. But if you have them banded properly in a breakaway package- you can pick them up, put them on any scaffold, and you are not double-handling the material.
To me, overloading is the most important factor. You can't put a full load of block on a scaffold. It takes up too much room or it overloads. I don't like to go around picking up the straps and discarding them, but that's a lot cheaper than having two laborers unload a forklift. That forklift is not moving when it has a pallet; it is just standing there.
Q.
When you say the blocks are strapped, you still have to take the package apart and distribute the individual block. Do all of the masons take them from one strapped unit load?
Smith: The strapped block comes in a break-away package-three bundles to a unit. The forklift operator will usually break the package apart, set two bundles aside for the first scaffold frame, and save the third bundle for the next frame in the next tower. In this way, we eliminate putting 48 inches of block on the scaffold right away.
The strapped break-away package is a real advantage because the forklift operator does a lot of the work himself. Once the operators get efficient at it, they back the fork out just far enough so it splits the paper that is on the corners. or they will pick the bundle up. and it's a simple thing to just move over a few feet and set the bundle back down. This technique eliminates a lot of hard work.
Q.
When you are lifting, do you break the packages apart on top of the scaffolds, or do you come back down and break each one open separately?
Zivkovic: Generally one unit is lifted up and a man breaks off the corner protection unless there is paper on all four sides. He breaks one or two units off. depending on how many are wanted on that scaffold.
Q.
So the lifting is the same whether it be palletized or packaged? The units-whatever the quantity may be-are lifted at one crack?
Zivkovic: Instead of using a pallet and a man to physically take the block off the pallet and distribute them along the scaffold, a fork truck comes up with the entire package. The break-away package is like three packages in one. You break the first one off, then you back away with the other two still on the forklift, move into another position, and place the second package down. Then go back again and place the third one down. In other words, all material handling is done with a forklift. A man does not physically carry a block and place it next to a mortar board.
Q.
But he has to place that packaged unit?
Zivkovic: Yes, the operator has to do that by himself.
Q.
So far we have discussed the advantages and disadvantages to the contractor of using packaged block. Now let's come back to the manufacturers. Norm Lunde, why do you package?
Lunde: to help our customers, to make it easy for them to handle material. That's the real reason for packaging- to make it easier to handle.
Q.
If you're delivering strapped block, do you have to handle them and select a place to set them down more carefully than if the block were on a pallet?
Smith: Yes, that's the one advantage of a pallet. When you set the block down, they're sitting on wood rather than down in the mud. When we receive strapped block, I have to make sure I get a plank down under the load whether it's winter or summer. If you get any rain the banded bundles have a tendency to fall over. If you've got the block on a skid, it does correct that problem.
Hansen: Not if it's muddy and the pallet starts to sink.
Smith: Yes, they will sink into the mud and freeze down. but so will strapped block.