Transporting Equipment with Slotted Holes

[sgs114]

Hello,

I have a unique project I am working on which involves the construction of a fairly large pallet which will be loaded with some sensitive equipment that needs to be transported. The pallet is loaded onto a truck via the truck driving under the pallet and raising up it's platform until it is in contact with the pallet. We had originally specified (2) bearing plates with a layer of teflon between them and slotted holes to give them some alignment leeway. Now we are wondering if the pallet would be truly "locked in" with the teflon present. Also this connection needs to be re-usable, so I believe if we specified as slip critical, we would have to replace the bolts after each use. It's almost like we just need to use clamps on either side of the bear plates to stop movement and not rely on the bolts. Anyone have any experience using slotted holes in a re-usable condition (with low friction material between)?

SGS

 

[cuky2000]

Try the structural forum section. This forum is for electrical Power T&D.

 

[MikeHalloran]

Pretend that the truck trailer can deflect 6" at its midpoint just from the weight of your equipment.
Reality check: it can.

If that sort of deflection can bend your pallet enough to mess up the sensitive stuff, you need a better pallet and/or a better way to mount the sensitive stuff to the pallet, and the pallet to the truck.



Mike Halloran
Corinth, NY, USA