Executive summary
A reclining and rotating pallet inverter tilts a load back onto a backrest so the pallet can be freed, and can carry on turning when the load must be inverted. We build these hydraulic inverters ourselves. Our stationary inverters carry up to 1,500 kg and 2,000 mm load height, tilt up to 180°, and run from push buttons, with speed set by a frequency converter or by PLC.
The green inverter here is running empty on our test floor. Its L-shaped cradle reclines from the loading position up and over the base cabinet, driven by the hydraulic power pack in front, with the push-button station and signal light beside it.
Table of Contents
- Reclining vs rotating
- Machine structure
- Load transfer: why the cradle reclines
- Working cycle
- Specifications
- Applications
- Selection checklist
- Safety: EN 415-10 and ISO 12100
- Engineering FAQ
- Next step
- Related reading
- Sources
Reclining vs rotating
| Move | What happens | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Recline | the cradle tilts back until the load rests on the backrest | freeing or changing the pallet, squaring a stack |
| Rotate | the load is clamped and the cradle keeps turning, up to 180° | inverting the load, emptying, reaching the bottom layer |
An open L-cradle can only recline: past the vertical, an unclamped load would fall off the base. A full 180° turn needs a top clamp plate that holds the load between two plates, as on our 180° inverters. The clamp is specified when a full turn is needed.
Machine structure
- L-shaped cradle. A base table and a backrest at right angles. The load sits on the base and leans on the backrest as the cradle reclines.
- Base cabinet. Carries the pivot and the hydraulic cylinders.
- Hydraulic power pack. Pump, motor and valves that drive the tilt.
- Push-button station and signal light. Separate from the machine, so the operator stands clear.
Load transfer: why the cradle reclines
As the cradle tilts back by an angle θ, the load weight moves from the base table to the backrest. Ignoring friction, the base carries m × g × cos θ and the backrest m × g × sin θ.
| Tilt θ | Base table share (cos θ) | Backrest share (sin θ) | 1,000 kg load on the backrest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30° | 87% | 50% | about 500 kg |
| 60° | 50% | 87% | about 870 kg |
| 90° | 0% | 100% | about 1,000 kg |
Result. Only near 90° is the base table free of load, which is when the pallet can be pulled out or the base moved away. Below that, the pallet is still pinned by the load.
Working cycle
- Load. A forklift sets the pallet on the base table.
- Recline. The cradle tilts back and the load settles against the backrest.
- Change or rotate. At the recline position the pallet is freed and changed. For inversion the top clamp closes first, and then the cradle carries on turning.
- Return. The cradle comes back and the load stands on the new pallet or the other way up.
- Unload. The forklift takes the load away.
Specifications
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Max load | 1,500 kg |
| Max load height | 2,000 mm |
| Tilt | up to 180° |
| Drive | hydraulic |
| Speed setting | frequency converter, or automatic by PLC |
| Operation | push buttons |
| Cycle time, reference | about 25 s for a 180° turn (FPFZ-C02); 30–50 s for a pallet change (FPFZ-CH01) |
| Pallet size, hydraulic pressure, power | confirmed at quote |
Applications
Bags, boxes, drums and loose goods in pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics and general logistics. Typical jobs are changing a timber pallet for a plastic or export pallet, replacing a broken pallet, and turning a load to reach the bottom layer.
Selection checklist
- Heaviest load including the pallet.
- Load height and pallet size.
- Recline only, or full 180° turn.
- Load type and how stable it is.
- Loads per hour.
- Forklift or pallet-jack loading.
Safety: EN 415-10 and ISO 12100
Pallet inverters are covered by EN 415-10, with the risk assessment to ISO 12100:2010. The reclining cradle and the hydraulic cylinders are the main hazards. The operator works from the separate push-button station, outside the tilting zone, and the signal light shows when the machine is moving. Guarding and CE documents are agreed per project.
Engineering FAQ
Q: Why recline instead of clamping and turning straight away? A: Reclining lets the load settle onto the backrest under its own weight, so a soft or unstable stack is not squeezed.
Q: Can the machine perform a complete 180° inversion? A: Yes, with a top clamp plate fitted. Without the clamp it is used for reclining and pallet change only.
Q: What does it need on site? A: Power for the hydraulic pack, and floor space for the tilting cradle. Power is confirmed at quote.
Q: Can a pallet jack load it? A: Our C-series has a base that lowers to the ground for pallet-jack loading.
Next step
- Send your load size, weight and the job to info@fhopepack.com.
- We size the inverter and choose recline or full turn.
- We reply within 24 hours with a proposal and quotation.
Related reading
- Load inverter and pallet changer range (product)
- V-shape pallet changer
- FHOPE pallet inverter with dual clamper and floor base
- Heavy-duty 180° pallet changer
- Pallet inverter for safe load transfer: engineering deep dive
- C-type 180° pallet turnover and pallet inverter
Sources
- FHOPE product page: stationary pallet inverter, C series
- EN 415-10; ISO 12100:2010
- Our reclining and rotating inverter shown above
Last reviewed: 2026-10-19
