Bier Pins, Cot Cups & Glide Strips Explained

The three components that secure a load and ease loading — bier pins, cot cups, and glide strips — explained, and how they work together on a deck system.

2 min read

Bier Pins, Cot Cups & Glide Strips Explained

The hardware on a deck system is what keeps a load secure and makes loading smooth. Three components do most of that work: bier pins, cot cups, and glide strips. Here's what each does and why it matters.

Bier pins (and bier pin plates)

Bier pins are removable posts that seat into a multi-hole plate on the deck. By moving the pins to different holes, you can secure caskets, cremation containers, and air trays of different sizes against shifting. The AME-DD2000-XLC uses four 10-hole bier pin plates — two per deck — for maximum securing flexibility.

Cot cups

Cot cups are recessed seats — often solid cast aluminum — that capture the legs or wheels of a cot so it can't roll or slide during transport. They're what makes cot transport on a moving deck safe and stable.

Glide strips

Glide strips are low-friction polyethylene runners on the deck surface. They let caskets and containers slide into position with minimal force and protect both the load and the deck from wear. Combined with nylon rollers, they make single-operator loading practical.

How they work together

  • Glide strips and rollers get the load in with minimal effort.
  • Cot cups and bier pins lock the load down for transport.
  • Adjustable bier pin plates adapt one deck to many load types.

Frequently asked questions

Can I add extra bier pins for different load sizes?

Yes — a Bier Pin Kit adds pins for varied casket and container sizes. The plates are multi-hole to reposition as needed.

Do glide strips wear out?

Polyethylene glide strips are durable and replaceable; they take the friction so the deck and load don't.

Related guides

Questions on deck hardware?

Call 1-888-792-9315 or email cool@mymortuarycooler.com — we'll walk you through configuration.