24x20 containers

Four to a grocery pallet

Two totes across the 48 in edge, two along the 40 in edge: 2 x 24 = 48 and 2 x 20 = 40. ORBIS states it plainly for its AF-21, which fits 4-up on standard 40 x 48 pallets. That makes 24x20 the hand-held size that matches the 48x40 world, the way 24x15 matches the automotive pallet.

Some of these totes are metric underneath. ORBIS's GS6050 measures 23.6 x 19.7 in, which converts to about 600 x 500 mm, and ORBIS says its sister GS6040 line was designed on a metric footprint, with model names that do not correspond to inches. Akro-Mils' 35225 comes in at 23-1/2 x 19-1/2 in. Only the AF-21, at a full 24 x 20 in, is inch-exact. The fractions rarely matter on a pallet but do when totes must nest into each other.

Models and heights

Lids exist for the flat-lid styles: ORBIS lists a CGS6050 cover at 24 x 20 x 0.9 in, and Buckhorn a DR24200100 lid for its 24 x 20 detached-lid container. Akro-Mils puts its 35225 at 14.98 gallons.

Bail arm or 180-degree turn

The AF-21 carries wire bail arms across its rim. Swing them in and the next tote rests on the arms, so full totes stack without crushing the load. Swing them out and empty totes drop inside one another, three in the space of one by ORBIS's 3:1 nest ratio. No lid to lose, no 180-degree turn to remember.

Inside, the AF-21 tapers from 22.4 x 19 in at the top to 20.7 x 17.3 in at the floor, with 12.5 in of product clearance and 2.9 cu ft. Its walls are vented, which ORBIS ties to easier cleaning, tighter temperature control and shorter cooling time, with radius corners and smooth surfaces to protect product. Our vented vs solid guide covers when that matters.

The GS6050 does the same job with geometry instead of wire. ORBIS says its stack-and-nest totes stack full when covered or turned 180 degrees, and nest when returned to the original position, with nest ratios up to 4:1 across the range. Akro-Mils' totes stack with or without their optional lids. Pick bails where crews work wet and fast in a cold room; ORBIS calls the AF-21 ideal for moist environments and an economical step up from single-use corrugated cartons. Pick a turn-to-stack tote where a flat lid or label face matters.

Types on this footprint

• Nest-stack totes: ORBIS GS6050 and Akro-Mils 35225, stacked full and nested empty.
• Produce crates: the ventilated AF-21 and the shallow AF-1, which ORBIS files under agricultural containers.
• Attached-lid containers: Buckhorn's AR24201202.
• Lids: CGS6050 and DR24200100, plus ORBIS's lid and dolly list for this footprint.

Who runs 24x20

ORBIS lists the AF-21 for field harvest, in-plant handling, staging and processing of fruits and vegetables, and for case-ready meat distribution. That spans agriculture, meat and poultry and food processing. The same totes often finish their trip in grocery and retail backrooms, where a 48 x 40 pallet of four-up totes breaks down by hand.

On food contact, ORBIS says the AF-21 is available in FDA-approved materials and asks buyers to specify that when requesting a quote, and that the GS6040 family comes in FDA-approved material. Those are maker statements about new totes made to order. We do not call any tote food-grade ourselves, and never a used one. Tell us what the tote will hold; read food contact for the paperwork.

Buying used 24x20 totes

Ask first what the lot carried. A tote from a meat plant, a produce shed and a parts room can look identical and have very different histories. We find out from the seller and pass on what we learn; a food buyer may still need washing and its own QA sign-off before use.

Then check the hardware. Bail arms should swing freely and seat in both positions without bending; a bent bail lets a full stack lean. Nest a few totes to test for warped walls, and press the floor for cracks. Grades A, B and C are described in used container grades, and sellers with idle totes can use sell totes and crates.

What to tell us

Product and pack weight per tote; vented or solid; bail arm, 180-degree stack-nest or attached lid; height; whether totes must nest with ones you already run; whether you need FDA-approved resin documents from the maker; count and delivery ZIP. Send it through the quote form. For a metric line, compare the 600x400 mm page.