How the catalogue is set
Each entry is set like the kanban card that travels with a parts container on a plant floor: the footprint in large type, the spec fields in a ruled grid. We list in that order because it is the order a packaging engineer reads a pack spec. Footprint decides fit. Inside height decides how many parts go in. Wall count decides what the sidewalls carry. Bottom decides whether the box can hold dense or small parts without a slip sheet.
Used boxes come graded. A Grade A box is single trip: used once, clean and dry, flaps and bottom intact. A Grade B box shows wear but no structural weakness. Grade C is for one-way internal use. Wet, torn or crushed boxes go out as OCC. The grade sheet has the full words.
A listing is a spec, not a stock count.
Filter the index
Footprint first, then walls. With JavaScript off, every size is listed below.
| Size | Footprint | Volume | One distributor's listing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48 x 40 x 36 in | 48 x 40 in | 40 cu ft | 1,500 lb |
| 48 x 45 x 40 in | 48 x 45 in | 50 cu ft | see listing |
| 48 x 40 x 24 in | 48 x 40 in | 26.7 cu ft | 1,500 lb |
| 48 x 40 x 48 in | 48 x 40 in | 53.3 cu ft | 1,500 lb |
| 48 x 48 x 36 in | 48 x 48 in | 48 cu ft | 1,400 lb |
| 48 x 48 x 48 in | 48 x 48 in | 64 cu ft | 1,400 lb |
| 40 x 40 x 40 in | 40 x 40 in | 37 cu ft | 1,300 lb |
| 36 x 36 x 36 in | 36 x 36 in | 27 cu ft | 1,200 lb |
| 40 x 30 x 30 in | 40 x 30 in | 20.8 cu ft | 1,200 lb |
| 48 x 24 x 28 in | 48 x 24 in | 18.7 cu ft | 1,200 lb |
| 46 x 38 x 36 in octagon | Octagon | see page | 1,300 lb |
Which entry is yours
| If you need | Start here | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A standard-pallet box for general parts | 48 x 40 x 36 in | The most common gaylord size, matched to a standard pallet. |
| The auto supplier footprint | 48 x 45 x 40 in | Matches a returnable container on a 48 x 45 in footprint. |
| Resin, powder or melons | Octabins | Eight sides resist bulging under dense, flowable loads. |
| Dense castings or gears | 5-wall gaylords | The highest cited capacity, 2,000 to 3,000 lb. |
| A box that comes apart for return | Sleeve and tray | A separate tray and sleeve that knock down flat. |
| Something to put on top or inside | Lids and liners | Caps cut to the footprint and poly liners for resin and powder. |
Specifications on new bulk boxes
| Box | ECT | Weight each | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48 x 40 x 48 in triple wall, half-slotted | 90 | 37.86 lb | Cary Company |
| 48 x 40 x 36 in triple wall, interior | 90 | about 27.2 lb | Packaging Price |
| 46 x 38 x 36 in octagon, interior | 155 | 22.91 lb | Packaging Price |
Two of the three give interior dimensions and the third does not say, which is why every request should state inside or outside. Used boxes lose some of this strength, and the grades (new, A, B, C and recycle only) describe how much: Grade A is used once, clean and dry, with flaps and bottom intact, while Grade C has taped repairs and is for one-way internal use.
Why the weight column matters
Weight tells you whether you are looking at the same board. The 36 in rectangle and the 36 in octagon above stand at the same height, yet the octagon is listed at about 5 lb lighter with a much higher ECT, so the two listings cannot be using one grade of board. When a seller gives only a size, ask for the rating and the weight as well.
- Container Exchanger, the gaylord box guide
- The Cary Company, gaylord boxes: history and handling
- Nelson Company, when is a container a gaylord
Types, walls and grades
- Rectangular gaylordsThe standard four-sided corrugated bulk box on a 48 x 40 or 48 x 45 footprint, from double wall to 5-wall, graded and listed by spec.
- OctabinsEight-sided octabins resist bulging under resin, powder and produce. See inside sizes, wall counts and bottoms, and request octabins by spec.
- Sleeve and trayA corrugated sleeve set in a tray bottom that knocks down flat for return. How the parts fit, where they're used, and how to request them.
- Plastic corrugatedPlastic corrugated gaylords make many trips in closed-loop programs. Footprints, heights and when they beat fiberboard for a Detroit lane.
- UN-rated boxesWhy a used gaylord isn't UN-rated unless certified, what a hazmat bulk box must carry, and what to ask for instead.
- Triple wallTriple wall (TW) gaylords are the usual backup for parts containers. Cited capacity ranges, ECT and burst ratings, and how to request them.
- Double wallDouble wall gaylords suit lighter, bulky parts and one-way moves. What two walls carry, where they fall short, and how to ask for them.
- 4-wallFour walls of corrugated for dense loads that stack. Cited capacity ranges, typical heights and when a 4-wall makes sense over triple wall.
- 5-wallFive-wall gaylords carry the heaviest loads: castings, gears and resin. Cited ranges, bottom choices and how to request 5-wall by spec.
- Lids and linersCaps cut to the footprint and poly liners that keep resin, powder or food off the board. When to ask for them with a used gaylord.
- GradesNew, Grade A, B, C and recycle-only: what each looks like, what it's good for, and what changes what a used gaylord is worth.
- 48 x 40 x 36 in48 x 40 x 36 in used gaylord: 40 cu ft, 1,500 lb in one distributor's listing, walls, bottoms and loads. Request it by spec.
- 48 x 45 x 40 in48 x 45 x 40 in used gaylord: 50 cu ft, walls, bottoms and loads. Request it by spec.
- 48 x 40 x 24 in48 x 40 x 24 in used gaylord: 26.7 cu ft, 1,500 lb in one distributor's listing, walls, bottoms and loads. Request it by spec.
- 48 x 40 x 48 in48 x 40 x 48 in used gaylord: 53.3 cu ft, 1,500 lb in one distributor's listing, walls, bottoms and loads. Request it by spec.
- 48 x 48 x 36 in48 x 48 x 36 in used gaylord: 48 cu ft, 1,400 lb in one distributor's listing, walls, bottoms and loads. Request it by spec.
- 48 x 48 x 48 in48 x 48 x 48 in used gaylord: 64 cu ft, 1,400 lb in one distributor's listing, walls, bottoms and loads. Request it by spec.
- 40 x 40 x 40 in40 x 40 x 40 in used gaylord: 37 cu ft, 1,300 lb in one distributor's listing, walls, bottoms and loads. Request it by spec.
- 36 x 36 x 36 in36 x 36 x 36 in used gaylord: 27 cu ft, 1,200 lb in one distributor's listing, walls, bottoms and loads. Request it by spec.
- 40 x 30 x 30 in40 x 30 x 30 in used gaylord: 20.8 cu ft, 1,200 lb in one distributor's listing, walls, bottoms and loads. Request it by spec.
- 48 x 24 x 28 in48 x 24 x 28 in used gaylord: 18.7 cu ft, 1,200 lb in one distributor's listing, walls, bottoms and loads. Request it by spec.
- 46 x 38 x 36 in octabin46 x 38 x 36 in octabin used gaylord: walls, bottoms and loads. Request it by spec.