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Container Exchanger specializes in used metal and plastic bulk containers. We sell and distribute bulk bins throughout the nation. We supply collapsible bulk containers and rigid bulk containers to large and small companies throughout North America. Our bulk containers can take many different forms. We generally handle three types of bulk storage bins. Each type is made of a different material. We have inventories on Plastic bulk containers, Metal bulk containers, and Cardboard bulk containers.
Plastic Bulk Containers
The plastic version of bulk containers are usually collapsible. Here at Container Exchanger, we call them “Pallet Containers”. You can browse through our selection of used plastic bulk containers in our Pallet Containers section. They are made from a rigid structural foam material that is extremely strong and durable. This style of bulk container is well suited for many manufacturing applications, such as part storage or part transport. The weight capacity on bulk plastic containers varies, but generally, the capacity ranges from 1,500 lbs to 2,500 lbs.
Bulk containers also have several size options and feature options. The sizes can be any of the following footprints:
- 3230: 30″x32″ Bulk Containers, available in 18″, 25″, 30″, 34″, and 39″ heights
- 4048: 40″x48″ Bulk Containers, available in 16″, 25″, 30″, 34″, 39″, 42″, 48″, and 50″ heights
- 4548: 45″x48″ Bulk Containers, available in 25″, 29″, 33″, 34″, 39″, 42″, 48″, and 50″ heights
- 5648: 56″x48″ Bulk Containers, available in 19″, 25″, 34″, and 42″ heights
- 6448: 64″x48″ Bulk Containers, available in 19″, 25″, 34″, 42″, and 50″ heights
- 7048: 70″x48″ Bulk Containers, available in 19″, 25″, 34″, 41″, and 50″ heights
- 7848: 78″x48″ Bulk Containers, available in 25″ and 34″ heights
- Fixed Wall: Plastic bulk containers in varying sizes that are not collapsible
The other primary options with plastic bulk storage bins is the color and the number of drop doors, or access panels. Drop doors provide a way to access product that may be in the bottom of the bin without an operator leaning over the sidewall of the container. This ergonomic feature is present on virtually all containers. The only time you don’t want drop doors is if you are storing loose, bulk materials in the bins and the product is creating excessive sidewall pressure.
Some containers are more common than other containers. Follow this link to see a full list of our used bulk containers. We may have different or more containers available, so don’t hesitate to contact us with specific requests! From a compatibility standpoint, many of these containers from different manufacturers are actually stack compatible with each other. That is, Ropak, Xytec, and Buckhorns usually stack together, assuming that they are of the same footprint size.
Metal Bulk Containers
The metal version of the bulk container can be collapsible, but most often, they are rigid. We have a very nice inventory of metal bulk containers throughout the nation, but most of the containers tend to be located in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Missouri, and Ontario. Metal bins are a nice and heavy duty way to handle parts within a manufacturing environment.
Metal bulk containers that are collapsible tend to be lighter duty than the rigid metal storage bins. bulk bins tend to be weight rated between 1,500 and 4,000 lbs. The bulk metal bins are a nice option for a small metal shipping bin. They work well in this situation, because the sides of the container can be collapsed, thereby reducing the size of an empty container. The collapsed storage bin can be stacked in a corner of the warehouse, or they can loaded onto a trailer for return shipment to your plant.
Wire bulk containers are another version of the metal bulk container. These bins are made from wire mesh, as opposed to steel tubing and steel sheeting, as is often found.in the solid metal containers. Wire bulk containers often have less carrying capacity, as they are a lighter-duty and made from light-duty materials, such as 1/4″ or 3/8″ wire mesh. These bins do, however almost always lighter in weight and they are collapsible, which makes them much more economical from a shipping standpoint.
We can find just about any bin. Follow this link to see a nice representation of our used metal bulk bins or our used wire baskets. This list is not always complete, please contact us with any specific request that you may have!
Cardboard Bulk Containers
Cardboard bulk containers are generally referred to as Gaylord Boxes. Most bulk cardboard boxes come from plastic injection molders, where the boxes once held raw plastic resins. Other boxes can come from storing food products, such as watermelons or lettuce. Clearly, due to the different uses for large cardboard boxes, there are many different styles, thicknesses, and weight capacities. No matter what your requirements are, purchasing used gaylord boxes can be challenging. There is often more demand than supply, and significant quantities are going to be the minimum purchase amounts.
These bulk containers are not necessarily bulk in a traditional sense, especially when they are compared to the metal and plastic bulks. However, they could be considered bulk in that they are folded down flat for transport. Some businesses use these boxes over and over again, but the useful life of a cardboard bulk container is probably about 5 uses.
Sizes of bulk cardboard boxes can vary significantly, but many boxes are sized for either 40″x48″ pallets or 45″x45″ pallets. Thickness of the boxes can range from 2 layers of cardboard all the way up to 5 layers of cardboard. The number of wall layers is a pretty good indication of the overall strength of the box, where the more layers of cardboard indicate a stronger box. However, this is not always the case, as some bulk cardboard boxes have thicker individual layers than other boxes. Some boxes are rated for a particular capacity, so it is often recommended that you inquire about this feature before purchasing a box.
Here are some things to think about before purchasing a load of used gaylord boxes:
- How much will the product within the gaylord weigh when it is fully loaded?
- What size of pallets do you use primarily?
- Are you planning on stacking the gaylords?
- Is the product in the gaylord static or dynamic (dynamic loads require stronger sidewalls)?
- Do you need full bottoms for the boxes?
- Do you need top flaps for the boxes?
- Do you need lids for the boxes?
Follow this link to see a representation of our used gaylords. |
