
The 463L pallet system is a widely used standard in the shipping industry, designed to transport heavy equipment and machinery. It's a crucial component for logistics and supply chain management.
The 463L pallet is made of wood, typically oak or maple, and is constructed to meet strict safety and durability standards. It's built to withstand heavy loads and harsh handling conditions.
The 463L pallet system consists of a standard pallet size, which is 48 inches long, 40 inches wide, and 6.5 inches high. This size allows for efficient stacking and transportation of goods.
These pallets are used in various industries, including manufacturing, construction, and military logistics, where heavy equipment and machinery need to be transported safely and efficiently.
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What Is 463L Pallet?
The 463L pallet is a standardized system used by the Air Force for moving concentrated cargo. It encompasses all phases of cargo loading, including materials-handling equipment, cargo-loading platforms, restraint equipment, and in-aircraft systems.
The 463L system is the Air Force standard for moving concentrated cargo, making it a crucial component in military logistics. It's designed to be efficient and reliable.
The 463L pallet is a critical part of the 463L system, providing a standardized platform for loading and transporting cargo.
Design and Construction
The 463L pallet is made of corrosion-resistant aluminum with a soft wood or fiberglass core, and is framed on all sides by aluminum rails. These rails have tie-down rings that provide a 7,500-pound restraint capacity each.
The 463L pallet's dimensions are 88 inches long by 108 inches wide by 2 1/4 inches thick, with usable dimensions of 84 inches wide by 104 inches long on the upper surface. This leaves 2 inches around the periphery for attaching straps, nets, or other restraint devices.
An empty 463L pallet weighs 290 pounds, and can hold a maximum load of 10,000 pounds.
Construction
The 463L pallet is made of corrosion-resistant aluminum with a soft wood or fiberglass core. The pallet is framed on all sides by aluminum rails.
The rails have 22 tie-down rings attached, with 6 rings on each long side and 5 rings on each short side. Each ring has a 7,500-pound restraint capacity.

The overall dimensions of the 463L pallet are 88 inches long by 108 inches wide by 2 1/4 inches thick. However, the usable dimensions of the upper surface are 84 inches wide by 104 inches long.
This allows 2 inches around the periphery of the pallet to attach straps, nets, or other restraint devices. An empty 463L pallet weighs 290 pounds.
The maximum load capacity of the 463L pallet is 10,000 pounds. The maximum pounds per square inch for the 463L pallet is 250 pounds.
If a load exceeds this limitation, then shoring must be used to spread the load over a larger area.
Seating
Seating is a crucial aspect of any aircraft design, and Knight Aerospace's Palletized Seating is a robust solution for military operations.
These seating solutions are adaptable and can operate on any aircraft that utilizes a cargo handling system for a 463L size pallet.
Knight Aerospace's Palletized Seating is certified for use on a wide range of military cargo aircraft, including all C-130 platforms, C17, C-390, A-400M, C2, C27J, C295, and C5.
This seating solution is designed to be efficient, secure, and versatile, making it a top choice for military professionals worldwide.
Knight Aerospace's Palletized Seating is also TSO C-127a certified for 250 lbs, ensuring that it meets the necessary safety standards.
Handling and Storage

Handling and storage of 463L pallets require specialized equipment. The 463L is designed for ease of handling but only with the correct equipment.
Lifting equipment like cranes and hydraulic jibs can be used, but this is slow and inefficient. Other options include roller forklift extensions and specialist loaders.
The Air Portable Cargo Handling Dock, also known as the Anthony Allen dock, is a complete system of 5 sections and 3 walkways that weighs 2.47 tonnes and disassembles to fit on a standard 463L pallet.
Dual-Rail System
The dual-rail system is a crucial feature in military aircraft, designed to make loading and unloading cargo a breeze. It consists of rows of rollers that allow palletized cargo to easily move into the aircraft.
These rollers are stowable, converting the cargo deck to a flat, clear loading surface for wheeled cargo. This is a huge advantage, especially when handling sensitive or fragile equipment.
The side rails guide the pallets into the aircraft and provide lateral and vertical restraint. This ensures that the pallets are securely in place and won't shift during flight.
Detent locks on the side rails hold the pallet securely in place once inside the aircraft. This prevents the forward and aft movement of pallets during flight, keeping everything stable and safe.
Tie-Down Equipment
The 463L pallet system is a military load carriage system used for transporting cargo on tactical transport aircraft. The system includes pallets, netting, bags, and material handling equipment.
A complete set of 463L pallet nets weighs 65 pounds. These nets are designed to provide adequate restraint for a maximum of 10,000 pounds of cargo when properly attached to a 463L pallet.
The pallets and nets must be inspected for serviceability before use. Failure to use serviceable systems will result in inspection failure during the joint inspection.
You can purchase the necessary tie-down equipment or draw it through the local supply system. The prices and national stock numbers for components of the 463L pallet system are listed in Table D-1.
Here are some key points to remember when it comes to tie-down techniques:
- Use a barrier and chain gate for loose, heavy items, such as lumber and pipe.
- Use chains and tie-down devices for large items, such as canned engines or palletized wheeled items.
- Do not attach more than 50 percent of the restraint to the axles of wheeled equipment.
- Use a 463L net for multiple loose items that fit within the usable dimensions of a single 463L pallet.
- Use chains for heavy items, such as large boxes and vehicles.
- Use 5,000-pound tie-down straps, as required to provide individual item restraint or to provide supplemental restraint to 463L nets.
Handling and Storage
The 463L pallet handling system is designed for ease of handling, but it requires the correct equipment to do so.
The system is fitted with integral cranes and winches that can be used to manipulate pallets, but this method is slow.
Lifting equipment like cranes and hydraulic jibs can also be used, but again, this is slow and inefficient.
There are two other equipment types available for handling 463L pallets: roller forklift extensions and specialist loaders.
The Air Portable Cargo Handling Dock, also known as the Anthony Allen dock, is a system used for storing and organizing 463L pallets at an airhead.
It consists of 5 sections and 3 walkways, weighing a total of 2.47 tonnes and disassembling to fit on a standard 463L pallet.
The Ban-Air Air Pallet Rack is another storage and organization system used by many organizations for 463L pallets.
Cargo nets and slings are used to secure material to the pallet in the 463L Materials Handling Support System.
The dual-rail system, installed in all airlift or 463L-capable military aircraft, allows palletized cargo to easily move into the aircraft.
This system consists of rows of rollers that guide the pallets into the aircraft and provide lateral and vertical restraint.
Forklift Tine Extensions
Forklift Tine Extensions are a simple device that slides over a forklift, providing a powered or unpowered roller bearing onto which pallets can be moved.
They are a game-changer for handling 463L pallets, making it much easier to load and unload them from aircraft.
Using forklift rollers can be particularly useful when working with heavy loads, like the 7.2 tonne lift Dan Truck 9680D Counterbalance Fork Lift Truck.
Forklift rollers are not absolutely necessary for handling 463L pallets, but they do make the process much easier.
The forklift tines fit between the rollers on the aircraft's ramp, allowing for smooth and efficient loading.
Ramp loading capacity needs to be taken into consideration, as not all cargo aircraft ramps can take the same loads as the main cargo deck.
For example, the C130 ramp limit is about 2 tonnes, so it's essential to check the aircraft's specifications before using forklift rollers.
By using forklift rollers, you can ensure that the aircraft and pallet remain aligned and flat, making the loading process much safer and more efficient.
Military Shipping
The 463L military air cargo pallet is a beast of a pallet, supporting an impressive 10,000 pounds.
It's made from aluminum extrusions, formed into a grid, and skinned in aluminum, with borders that support tie-down points.
The 463L pallet is wider than a civilian pallet, measuring 88" x 108", but it's far flatter, at just 2.25" thick.
The pallet features 22 tie-down points ringing the perimeter, making it easy to secure heavy loads.
These pallets can be connected to each other, allowing for daisy-chaining to hold larger loads.
The loading floor is equipped with rolling tracks, making it easy to move equipment around.
If you need a 463L pallet, you're in luck - ACL Airshop has over 2,000 used ones in stock, ready for immediate delivery around the globe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a 463L pallet worth?
A 463L pallet and its associated nets cost approximately $1,500. This price includes the pallet and all its necessary components.
How many D rings are on a 463L pallet?
A 463L pallet has 22 D-rings for securing cargo. Each ring can hold up to 7,500 lbs.
Sources
- https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/55-9/appd.htm
- https://thinkdefence.wordpress.com/2014/11/23/military-pallets-boxes-containers-part-6-aircraft-pallets-containers/
- https://www.aclairshop.com/463L_air_cargo_pallet.php
- https://knightaerospace.com/pallitized-systems-knight-aerospace/
- https://www.core77.com/posts/106320/What-Does-a-Military-Shipping-Pallet-Look-Like
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