Pallet rack drop pin 1.0 and 2.0

Which Universal Drop Pin Is Best For Me?

In our most recent blog post, we covered the importance of safety clips, the most popular styles, and what brands dealers should keep on hand for customers. Clips can be an afterthought for most, but over time, it’s very common that existing rack sustains damaged or lost clips. Our Universal Drop Pin (our most popular product) is a great, easy-to-install item to combat this. But, did you know we offer another version of it?

We began to offer the Universal Drop Pin 2.0 three years ago. At a glance, it looks very similar to its sister clip. However, there are a few key differences in size and application. This blog post will take a look at those.

I Still Have My OEM Clip…Why Do I Need a Drop Pin?

This is one of the most common questions we get…If I still have the original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) clip, why do I need a drop pin? As is often the case with pallet rack accessories such as this, it all comes back to safety. OEM clips can easily be damaged, fail, or lost entirely, and if you’re not inspecting your rack regularly, this could be a big problem with an errant fork from a lift truck.

The best way to think about pairing an OEM clip with either the Universal Drop Pin or the 2.0 is by installing a deadbolt on your front door. The deadbolt gives you an additional layer of safety and a greater level of comfort. The universal drop pins work the same way. They are additional safety pieces to ensure the security of your warehouse pallet rack.

Drop Pin Sizes

In short, the Universal Drop Pin is longer and skinnier than the 2.0 version. The Universal Drop Pin measures 2.52 inches long, 0.29 inches wide, and a diameter of 0.75 inches. Conversely, the 2.0 version features a length of 2.25 inches, 0.375-inch width, and a diameter of 0.75 inches.

The bulkier 2.0 is meant to provide a stronger connection for heavier-duty applications. The 2.0 was also designed for larger punch holes. Typical punch holes range from 3/8 to 1/2 inches. The 2.0 will fit in any rack with punch holes larger than three-eights of an inch.

Safety Clip Applications

While we have found that the 1.0 version is viable for just about any application, there are certain situations where the 2.0 may work better for your customer. The first, as we mentioned, is applications with racking with larger punch holes. The 2.0 will give you a better fit and a more secure connection. The second application would be high-traffic spaces with constant movement (think any distribution center). The more movement traffic, the greater the chance of damage. Ultimately, ALL applications can benefit from the drop pins.

For more information on our clip inventory, contact us or give us a call at (888) 578-1579. Our dedicated material handling specialists will be able to help you with your pallet rack safety needs.