ASTM D6055-96(2007)e1
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Mechanical Handling of Unitized Loads and Large Shipping Cases and Crates
Standard Test Methods for Mechanical Handling of Unitized Loads and Large Shipping Cases and Crates
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
These test methods are designed for use in most cases with the actual equipment to be used in load handling.
These test methods may be used in evaluating the shipping unit as to suitability for mechanical handling by standard user-specified load-handling equipment.
These test methods will allow the user to determine integrity and stability of the load as well as provide guidance to improve the design of the unit load where deficiencies are found.
Damage to products or packages observed during testing may be expected to correlate at least in a qualitative way to damage observed in actual distribution handling systems.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods are suitable for testing the integrity of unitized loads and large cases and crates, but not individual drums or palletized drums, as well as the ability of the contents to endure normal handling, using standard mechanical handling equipment. Not all of the test methods are applicable to all products containers and loads. These test methods are applicable to common means of material handling, including pull pack, clamp truck, and spade lift-type handling equipment as follows:
1.1.1 Test Method A—Fork Truck Handling—For testing the ability of the shipping unit to withstand repeated handlings by this test method.
1.1.2 Test Method B—Spade Lift Test—For lifting by spade lift attachment to determine the ability of the handling flap of the case or shipping unit to withstand repeated lifting and handling by this test method.
1.1.3 Test Method C—Clamp Handling Test—For lifting by hydraulic clamp attachment, to determine the ability of the shipping unit to withstand squeeze clamp handling consisting of repeated side compression and lifting.
1.1.4 Test Method D—Push-Pull Handling Test—For testing the ability of a unitized load on a slip-sheet to withstand repeated handling by this test method.
1.1.5 Test Method E—Grabhook Test—For lifting by grabhooks to determine the ability of the shipping unit to withstand the horizontal pressures of grabhooks.
1.1.6 Test Method F—Sling Tests—For lifting by wire rope, cable, or woven fiber slings to determine the ability of the shipping unit to withstand the compression of slings.
1.2 Additional Test Methods:
1.2.1 Additional test methods that apply to mechanical handling and rough handling tests of unitized loads and large cases and crates include incline impact tests, described in Test Method D 880; horizontal impact tests, described in Test Method D 4003.
1.2.2 Practice D 4169 provides a series of options for selecting and running performance tests on all types of shipping containers and systems.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation: D6055 − 96(Reapproved 2007)
Standard Test Methods for
Mechanical Handling of Unitized Loads and Large Shipping
Cases and Crates
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6055; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
´ NOTE—Fig. A1.1 was editorially corrected in May 2007.
1. Scope cases and crates include incline impact tests, described in Test
Method D880; horizontal impact tests, described in Test
1.1 These test methods are suitable for testing the integrity
Method D4003.
of unitized loads and large cases and crates, but not individual
1.2.2 Practice D4169 provides a series of options for select-
drums or palletized drums, as well as the ability of the contents
ing and running performance tests on all types of shipping
to endure normal handling, using standard mechanical han-
containers and systems.
dling equipment. Not all of the test methods are applicable to
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
all products containers and loads. These test methods are
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
applicable to common means of material handling, including
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
pull pack, clamp truck, and spade lift-type handling equipment
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
as follows:
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.1.1 Test Method A——Fork Truck Handling—For testing
the ability of the shipping unit to withstand repeated handlings
2. Referenced Documents
by this test method.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1.2 Test Method B—Spade Lift Test—For lifting by spade
lift attachment to determine the ability of the handling flap of D880 Test Method for Impact Testing for Shipping Contain-
ers and Systems
the case or shipping unit to withstand repeated lifting and
handling by this test method. D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
ments
1.1.3 Test Method C—Clamp Handling Test—For lifting by
hydraulic clamp attachment, to determine the ability of the D4003 Test Methods for Programmable Horizontal Impact
Test for Shipping Containers and Systems
shipping unit to withstand squeeze clamp handling consisting
of repeated side compression and lifting. D4169 Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Con-
tainers and Systems
1.1.4 Test Method D—Push-Pull Handling Test—Fortesting
the ability of a unitized load on a slip-sheet to withstand D4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
Packaging Components for Testing
repeated handling by this test method.
1.1.5 Test Method E—Grabhook Test—For lifting by grab-
3. Terminology
hooks to determine the ability of the shipping unit to withstand
3.1 Definitions—General terms in these test methods are
the horizontal pressures of grabhooks.
1.1.6 Test Method F—Sling Tests—For lifting by wire rope, defined in Terminology D996.
cable, or woven fiber slings to determine the ability of the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
shipping unit to withstand the compression of slings.
3.2.1 clamp lift attachment—a lift truck attachment used for
clamp handling products packaged in flat-sided packages.
1.2 Additional Test Methods:
1.2.1 Additional test methods that apply to mechanical
3.2.2 forklift attachment—a lift truck attachment used to
handling and rough handling tests of unitized loads and large
handle large unitized or palletized loads.
3.2.3 large shipping case or crate—shipping container con-
structed of any material and of such size and weight to require
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on
Packaging and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.21 on Shipping
Containers and Systems - Application of Performance Test Methods. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved April 1, 2007. Published May 2007. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as D6055 – 96 (2002). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D6055-96R07E01. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D6055 − 96 (2007)
mechanical handling. A case or crate of this type may weigh 5.5 Grabhook Test and Sling Test Apparatus—In lifting the
from 100 lb (45 kg), up to many tons and measure proportion- case or crate with grabhooks or slings, a hoist with grabhooks
ately. The case or crate may be secured to or carried by a base or slings attached is the simplest and easiest, but the test may
or pallet. Frame members may be provided for rigidity be made with a tackle or by lifting the case or crate with jacks
throughout the container. and setting it into grabhooks or slings supported by some form
of truss.
3.2.4 push-pull attachment—a lift truck attachment used for
push-pull handling products packaged using slip sheets.
6. Test Specimen and Number of Tests
3.2.5 shipping unit—the smallest complete unit that will be
6.1 Test several shipping units of a given design, if possible,
subjected to the distribution environment, for example, a
to obtain replication of results. If in the instance of a number of
shipping container and its contents.
cases wrapped or banded together, it is not possible to test an
3.2.6 spade lift attachment—a lift truck attachment used for
entire unitized load, then sufficient cases should be assembled
top handling products packaged in interlocked double-cover
such that the height and one base dimension are nearly the
boxes or folded cap- or folded flap-style cartons.
same as the proposed unitized load. For the clamp, spade lift,
3.2.7 unitized load—consists of a number of packages (two
or push-pull test, use an entire unitized load. The same case or
or more) secured together as a shipping unit. These packages
unitized load may often be used for all applicable tests if not
when unitized typically weigh more than 100 lb (45 kg). The
tested to failure. Load the shipping unit for the test with the
unitized method may be shrink wrapping, stretch wrapping,
actual contents for which it was designed, or if this is not
banding, strapping, taping, or gluing. A base consisting of a
possible, with a dummy load simulating such contents in mass,
pallet or slip sheet may or may not be used.
shape, and position in the shipping unit.
7. Conditioning
4. Significance and Use
7.1 It is recommended that atmospheres for conditioning be
4.1 These test methods are designed for use in most cases
selected from those in accordance with Practice D4332. Unless
with the actual equipment to be used in load handling.
otherwise specified, fiberboard and other paperboard contain-
4.2 These test methods may be used in evaluating the
ers shall be preconditioned and conditioned in accordance with
shipping unit as to suitability for mechanical handling by
the standard atmosphere specified in Practice D4332.
standard user-specified load-handling equipment.
8. Acceptance Criteria
4.3 These test methods will allow the user to determine
integrity and stability of the load as well as provide guidance
8.1 Reference Practice D4169 for acceptance criteria and
to improve the design of the unit load where deficiencies are
the correlation to relative performance criteria.
found.
9. Mechanical Handling Tests with Lift Trucks
4.4 Damagetoproductsorpackagesobservedduringtesting
may be expected to correlate at least in a qualitative way to
9.1 Test Method A—Fork Lift Test Procedure
damage observed in actual distribution handling systems. 9.1.1 Handling on Test Course:
9.1.1.1 Use an actual lift truck equipped with user-specified
5. Apparatus fork attachments. See Annex A1 for recommended standard
course for lift truck handling tests.
5.1 Fork Truck Test Apparatus—In performing the fork
9.1.1.2 The operator is to lift and transport to each obser-
truckhandlingtest,useanactuallifttruckwithforkattachment
vation point in a manner typical of current practice.
to lift the shipping unit. The lift truck and blade(s) shall be
9.1.1.3 The minimum number of handlings and fork type
capable of handling the size and quantity of products in
and size shall be specified by the user; however, it should be
accorance with current practice.
noted that the effects of temperature and humidity in the testing
5.2 Spade Lift Test Apparatus—In performing the spade lift
environment may vary greatly and, if so, may affect the
test, use an actual lift truck with spade lift attachment to lift the
strength of the shipping unit. For this reason, it may be useful
shipping unit under the lifting flap. The lift truck and blade(s)
to specify the minimum number of handlings based on test
must be capable of handling the size and quantity of products
periods representing these extremes.
in accordance with current practice.
9.1.1.4 Examine the load during and after each test cycle to
5.3 Clamp Lift Handling Test Apparatus —In performing determine if failure occurred.
the clamp handling test, use an actual lift truck with the
9.2 Test Method B—Spade Lift Test Procedure:
appropriate load clamping device to lift the shipping unit.
9.2.1 Use an actual lift truck equipped with the spade lift
Provision shall be made to measure the clamp force between
attachment to be used in actual practice. See Annex A1 for
the platens using a load cell(s) or other suitable device.
recommended standard course for lift truck handling test.
5.4 Push-Pull Test Apparatus—In performing the push-pull 9.2.2 The operator is to engage, lift, and transport the load
test, use an actual lift truck with the appropriate gripper jaw for to each observation point in a manner typical of current
pulling the load by the slip sheet tab onto the load plate. practice.
Alternatively, any suitable pulling device equipped with a 9.2.3 If normal handling requirements specify two or more
gripper jaw may be used. unitshigh,thetestshouldbeconductedwithanequivalentload
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D6055 − 96 (2007)
on the test specimen. This test can be repeated for a predeter- 9.3.5 Clamp the package or the shipping unit in a manner
mined number of handlings or until failure occurs. The typical of current or expected practice starting with the lowest
minimum number of handlings required shall be specified by clamp force and increasing the force until load can be
the user; ho
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