Hand, Turntable or Ring Wrapper - Which Pays Off?
Anyone wrapping pallets safely and economically has to choose between a hand wrapper, a turntable wrapper and a ring wrapper. This guide compares the three systems by pallets per day, achievable pre-stretch and film consumption, and shows when automation starts to pay off.
View stretch wrappersHand, turntable or ring wrapper?
There are three basic principles for wrapping pallets. With hand wrapping, the operator walks around the pallet with the roll. A turntable wrapper spins the pallet on a rotating plate while a film carriage travels up and down a mast. A ring wrapper keeps the pallet still and sends a film ring circling around it at high speed.
The systems differ mainly in throughput, achievable pre-stretch and how much labour they tie up. A hand wrapper costs almost nothing but permanently binds a worker. Turntable and ring wrappers cost more up front but sharply cut film use and time per pallet.
- Hand wrapper: lowest investment, full labour tie-up, pre-stretch of only 5 to 15 %.
- Turntable wrapper: semi-automatic, 15 to 40 pallets per hour, pre-stretch up to 250 %.
- Ring wrapper: high throughput up to 150 pallets per hour, also for unstable or overhanging loads.
Why does pre-stretch decide the cost?
Pre-stretch describes how far the film is stretched before it is applied. A hand wrapper reaches only 5 to 15 %, because the stretch comes solely from the hand brake. A machine with a powered pre-stretch unit pulls the same film 150 to 300 % longer - one running metre becomes up to three.
This slashes the film used per pallet. Switching from hand film without pre-stretch to a machine running 200 to 250 % pre-stretch saves 40 to 55 % of film at the same or better load security.
At what pallet count does automation pay off?
The decision comes down to pallets per day. By hand a person needs about 2 to 4 minutes per pallet, while a turntable wrapper finishes a pallet in roughly 60 to 120 seconds and runs without constant supervision.
Weigh both levers together: labour time saved and film saved. At 20 pallets per day the film and wage savings already add up, so a turntable wrapper usually pays for itself within 6 to 18 months. For very high volumes or fragile loads the ring wrapper is the faster and gentler choice.
- Unstable or light loads favour the ring wrapper, because it does not spin the pallet.
- Very heavy pallets over 1,200 kg are hard to accelerate on a turntable - the ring wins here.
- Regular weighing or labelling steps can be built into automatic lines.
Frequently asked questions
From how many pallets per day is a wrapping machine worth it?
A rough threshold is 15 to 20 pallets per day. Above that, a turntable or ring wrapper saves so much film and time through pre-stretch that it usually pays for itself in 6 to 18 months.
How much film does a pallet wrapper with pre-stretch save?
Compared with hand film without pre-stretch, 40 to 55 % savings are realistic. A machine running 200 to 250 % pre-stretch turns one running metre into up to three at the same holding force.
When is a ring wrapper better than a turntable?
The ring wrapper pays off at high throughput from around 50 to 100 pallets per day, and for unstable, light or very heavy loads, because the pallet is not rotated.
What exactly does pre-stretch mean?
Pre-stretch is the percentage elongation of the film before application. 200 % means one metre becomes three. Hand wrappers reach only 5 to 15 %, powered pre-stretch units 150 to 300 %.
Looking for the right stretch wrapper?
From rugged dispensers to semi-automatic turntables and ring wrappers - we help you choose by pallets per day, pre-stretch and film use.
Save film
Up to 55 % less film through powered pre-stretch.
For any volume
Hand, turntable and ring wrappers for 5 to 500 pallets a day.
Secure loads
Defined holding force instead of guesswork by hand.
Expert advice
We work out payback and film demand with you.