Open Cages and Alternative Load Carriers
The J1600 is not limited to Euro pallets. It moves any forkable carrier with an open base — no bottom deck board — within its size envelope: open cages, barrels on open-base carriers, and custom formats. The working rule from the company's own demonstrations: everything that is open underneath can be picked up.
Compatibility limits
| Parameter | Limit / support |
|---|---|
| Base requirement | Open base with no bottom deck board, so the forks can enter |
| Maximum load length, including overhang | 1,250 mm (49 in) |
| Maximum load width, including overhang | 1,250 mm (49 in) |
| Maximum load height from floor | 1,700 mm (67 in) |
| Maximum payload | 1,600 kg (approx. 3,500 lb) |
| EPAL support | EPAL Euro Pallet, EPAL 3, EPAL 6 |
| GMA support | All GMA pallets with an open base |
| Custom carriers | Any forkable open-base carrier within the size limits |
The exact envelope is 1,250 mm; some shorter product summaries round it to 1.2 m. Use 1,250 mm when checking a carrier.
Fork geometry
Whether a custom carrier is forkable depends on its base openings matching the fork dimensions:
| Fork parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Fork length | 1,150 mm (45 in) |
| Fork width, each | 180 mm (7 in) |
| Fork thickness | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Outer distance across forks | 680 mm (27 in) |
| Inner distance between forks | 320 mm (13 in) |
| Lowest fork height | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Highest fork position (manual) | 1,600 mm (63 in) |
Full dimensions: J1600 technical specifications.
Judgment still applies
Compatibility depends on base geometry, size, stability, and operator judgment — there is no blanket approval covering every carrier or any hazardous material. The operator assesses each carrier and load before pickup, which is one reason pallet pickup is always manual on the J1600. Unstable or awkward carriers get the treatment described in Sensitive or Unstable Loads.
Whatever the carrier, autonomous delivery is at floor level. The 1,600 mm pick and drop height is a manual-mode capability.
Where alternative carriers show up
Open cages and non-standard carriers are common in production supply (component cages to the line), inbound receiving (mixed inbound formats), and grocery/FMCG distribution using GMA-format pallets. Because a carrier only needs to pass the envelope check once, alternative formats flow through multi-point and cross-docking tasks like any Euro pallet.
For questions on specific carriers, see the product and capabilities FAQ.