What is the difference between a stretch wrap machine and a pallet wrapping machine?
They describe the same equipment. "Stretch wrap machine" refers to the film, which is stretched as it is applied so it contracts around the load. "Pallet wrapping machine" refers to what is being wrapped. Both terms cover turntable, rotary arm, and automatic machines that apply stretch film to a palletized load.
What types of pallet wrapping machines are available?
The three common configurations are turntable, where the pallet rotates on a powered deck; rotary or straddle arm, where the load stays still and the film carriage travels around it; and automatic inline systems that wrap without an operator at the machine. Turntable machines suit most operations under a few hundred pallets a day and cost significantly less to install. Rotary arm machines are used where loads are too unstable or too heavy to spin safely.
What is pre-stretch and why does it matter?
Pre-stretch elongates the film through powered rollers before it reaches the load, rather than relying on tension from a brake as the film pays out. Because the film is already stretched, each wrap covers more of the pallet, so fewer feet of film are used per load. In operations wrapping high pallet volumes, the reduction in film consumption is usually where the machine pays for itself.
Can a pallet wrapping machine weigh the load while it wraps?
Yes, when the scale is built into the turntable deck. The Liberty LS-7100-W60 weighs up to 3,500 lb, and the LS-K120 weighs up to 5,000 lb in 1 lb increments, both with the scale integrated into the machine. The load is weighed and wrapped in one operation, which removes the separate trip to a floor scale and the transcription step that goes with it.
Do I need a legal for trade scale in a wrapping machine?
Only if the weight is used as the basis for a commercial transaction, such as selling product by weight or billing a customer directly from that reading. For internal shipping records, freight class verification, and load documentation, a non-certified scale is sufficient. If your application requires certified weight, contact our technical team before ordering so the correct configuration is specified.
What size loads can these machines handle?
Capacity depends on the model. The LS-7100-W60 turntable handles loads up to 3,500 lb, and the LS-K120 up to 5,000 lb. Pallet dimensions and load height also determine fit, so confirm your maximum pallet footprint and wrapped height against the machine specifications, or contact the Liberty Scales technical team with your dimensions, and we will confirm the match.