Executive summary Our C-type pallet inverter clamps a full pallet load and turns it 180 degrees, so the old pallet ends up on top and can be lifted off. That lets you swap a damaged or export pallet for your own, or keep pallets in-house and ship loads pallet-less. The FPFZ-1 turns loads up to 1.2 t in about 50 s per turn, loaded by pallet truck at floor level.
Table of Contents
- How the 180° inverter works
- One turn or two
- Does your load fit
- Estimate pallets per hour
- FPFZ-1 data
- Utilities and safety
- Selection checklist
- Engineering FAQ
- Next step
- Related reading
- Sources
How the 180° inverter works
The operator pushes the pallet into the C-shaped frame with a pallet truck. A pressing device comes down onto the load and clamps it against the platform, and it is adjustable for different load heights. The whole frame then turns through 180 degrees, so the load is upside down and the pallet that was underneath is now on top.
In our video, the operator rolls a pallet of cartons into the orange C-frame by hand truck, steps back to the control station, and the frame turns the clamped load over in one smooth movement. The cartons hold their stack because the clamp keeps them pressed together through the whole turn.
One turn or two
| Job | Sequence | Turns |
|---|---|---|
| Swap pallet, goods can stay inverted | Place the new pallet on top, turn, take out on the new pallet | 1 |
| Swap pallet, goods must stay upright | Turn, lift off the old pallet, place the new one, turn back | 2 |
| Pallet-less loading | Turn, lift off the pallet and keep it in-house; the load leaves on a slip sheet or tray | 1 |
Cartons that can travel upside down need only one turn. On a tall load, the new pallet has to go on top before the turn, which is too high to lift by hand, so we place it with a forklift or use the two-turn sequence. Goods marked “this way up”, or liquids in containers, need the second turn, which doubles the turning time.
Does your load fit
| Check | FPFZ-1 |
|---|---|
| Pallet length | 1,200 mm |
| Pallet width | 1,100–1,200 mm |
| Load height | 1,200–2,000 mm |
| Load weight | Up to 1.2 t |
Check your heaviest, tallest and lowest pallet. Loads under 1,200 mm are below the listed height range, so we confirm the clamp reaches them. A pallet of 40 cartons at 25 kg each is 1,000 kg, which is inside the 1.2 t limit. A taller or heavier load needs a larger frame, so we confirm it on your load list.
Estimate pallets per hour
Illustrative cycle with 60 s of pallet truck handling and 30 s to lift the old pallet off by hand:
| Step | One turn | Two turns |
|---|---|---|
| Turning, 50 s per turn | 50 s | 100 s |
| Pallet truck in and out (illustrative) | 60 s | 60 s |
| Old pallet off, new pallet on (illustrative) | 30 s | 30 s |
| Total cycle | 140 s | 190 s |
| Pallets per hour | about 26 | about 19 |
Handling around the machine takes as long as the turn, so a conveyor feed or a second operator raises output more than a faster turn would.
FPFZ-1 data
| Item | FPFZ-1 |
|---|---|
| Turnover angle | 180° |
| Turnover capacity | Max. 1.2 t |
| Turnover time | About 50 s |
| Load size | L 1,200 × W 1,100–1,200 × H 1,200–2,000 mm |
| Frame base | Welded profile |
| Fixing | Dead weight, no anchoring |
| Operation | Wireless remote control |
| Motor power | About 2.2 kW |
| Power supply | 380 V, 50 Hz, three-phase as standard |
Utilities and safety
The machine stands on its own weight, so it needs a level floor but no foundation bolts. The turning speed is adjustable, and the machine starts and stops automatically. Mechanical and electrical stop blocks end the turn at the right position, and the electrical box is separate from the frame. The operator runs the turn by wireless remote or from the control panel, standing clear of the frame.
The standards that apply depend on the destination market. For CE markets, ISO 12100 sets the risk-assessment method and EN 415-10 sets general requirements for packaging machines.
Selection checklist for a 180° pallet inverter
- Pallet length and width.
- Load height, smallest to largest.
- Heaviest load.
- Can the goods travel upside down?
- Pallet swap or pallet-less loading.
- Pallets per hour needed.
- Local power supply.
Engineering FAQ
Q: Why turn a pallet 180 degrees? A: The old pallet ends up on top, so it can be removed and replaced, or the load shipped without it.
Q: How heavy a load can it turn? A: The FPFZ-1 turns up to 1.2 t.
Q: How long does a turn take? A: About 50 s. A swap that keeps the goods upright needs two turns.
Q: Does it need a foundation? A: No. It is fixed by its own weight, so it needs a level floor but no anchor bolts.
Q: How is it operated? A: By wireless remote control or from the control panel.
Next step
We plan your pallet inverter in three steps:
- Submit your layout drawing with your pallet sizes and load weights to info@fhopepack.com.
- Receive a proposal within 48 hours, with the frame size and cycle plan.
- Book a site survey to check the floor and pallet truck access.
Related reading
- 180° pallet inverter
- Stationary pallet inverters
- Video: electric clamper pallet changer, 1 ton mobile
Sources
- FPFZ-1 data: 180° pallet inverter page
- Machine in action: our pallet turner video on YouTube
- Standards scope: ISO 12100:2010, EN 415-10:2014
Last reviewed: 2026-10-04
