With many different pallet racking types available, you might be a little overwhelmed.
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Luckily, you’re in the right place. Because in this article, you’ll learn:
Let’s dive in!
What Is a Selective Racking System?Selective pallet racking – or single deep racking – is the most common type of warehouse racking.
It’s called “selective racking” because users can access or ‘select’ pallet loads without having to move other pallets. And it works well with any type of forklift without requiring specialized lift trucks. This makes each pallet in the storage highly visible and easy to access, load, and unload.
Selective pallet racking systems are also inexpensive, based on cost-per-pallet position. But it gives the lowest pallet storage capacity, taking up the most space.
Selective pallet racking is ideal for operations that use a First-In, First-Out (FIFO) inventory system, store a large number of SKUs, have low inventory turnover, and have high product differentiation.
A selective pallet racking system is the least expensive: The budget price is $50 – $80 per pallet position.
Double deep racking – also called double reach racking – is a form of selective racking that uses two rows deep for racking storage instead of one row.
It’s an adaptation of a selective pallet racking system, modified to increase storage capacity.
But it’s only ideal for Last-In, First-Out (LIFO) inventory systems and applications with multiples of the same stock.
Double-deep pallet racks may cost more than the selective racking system: $80 – $200 per pallet position.
Drive-in pallet racking is a high-density storage system with a single aisle for the entry and exit of forklifts to load or retrieve materials.
Pallets are loaded and retrieved from the rack’s front side, and forklifts drive directly into the racks, place or pick up the material and drive off. This eliminates the need for walking/working aisles.
It works best in Last-In, First-Out (LIFO) operations, where the last pallet loaded becomes the first pallet accessible and out. This creates a more dense load and storage.
Compared to selective pallet rack, drive-in pallet rack is more expensive. Budget $115 – $140 per pallet position, depending on the number of depths (2, 3, or 4).
Drive-thru racking systems are like drive-in racking, except they use different sides for loading and unloading.
In drive-thru racking, there’s an access aisle for loading pallets and – at the opposite end – access for unloading pallets.
Because of the different loading and unloading positions, drive-through racking works best with First-In, First-Out (FIFO) storage methods.
Drive-thru pallet racks may cost almost the same as drive-in racking. Budget $115 – $140 per pallet position, depending on the number of depths (2, 3, or 4).
Push-back racking is a high-density storage system, allowing up to six pallets deep storage on either side of an aisle.
Push-back racking works with at least three nested mobile carts, gliding on sloped rails to hold and carry pallets. The first pallet, loaded from the front, sits on the top cart. When the second pallet is loaded onto the cart, it pushes the top cart with the first pallet back.
It operates like a soft drink cooler in a convenience store, where when you pull a bottle out, a new one slides forward.
The pallet ‘push-back’ mechanism makes pushback racking ideal for operations using the Last-In, First-Out (LIFO) inventory method.
Push-back racking can achieve higher density storage – up to 75% more than selective racking – while allowing more selectivity with storage. But you can only store the same SKU in a single lane.
Push-back racking is a more expensive storage system than selective or drive-In. Budget $151 to $295 per pallet position, depending on the number of positions (e.g. 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6).
Pallet flow racking – or “gravity flow” racking – is another high-density racking system where pallets are placed in the system’s rear end on a series of rollers with a centrifugal braking system.
It’s an ideal system for FIFO inventory because pallets are loaded on one end and unloaded at the other end of the system.
In a pallet flow racking, when you load a pellet from the aisle, the pallets roll forward by gravity to the front of the system. Similarly, when a pallet is removed from the front, the pallets behind roll to the front of the lane.
Generally, pallet flow racking supports very high-density storage, holding up to 20 pallets deep in one lane. This minimizes the aisles needed to store items while maintaining efficient inventory turnover.
It’s the most expensive of all pallet racking types, with costs ranging from $300 to $500 per pallet position.
This storage type is used for pallet loads in an order-picking application, such as:
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A cantilever racking system stores long, heavy, or bulky items that cannot be easily stored on pallets, such as lumber, steel pipes, wood, and textiles.
Cantilever racking consists of multiple adjustable protruding arms to store items horizontally, unlike pallet racks with vertical uprights, which limit the length of stored items.
They’re available in double and single-sided units, allowing item storage on one side or both. With no front columns, cantilever racks are easier to access, load, unload, and add space.
Cantilever racking with a single-sided design can cost between $850 and $1,700 per bay.
The following are answers to some common pallet racking questions.
Pallet racking is a system or method of storage that organizes palletized materials and stores them on racks in horizontal rows and on multiple levels to maximize warehouse space.
Pallet racking comprises vertical frames and horizontal beams held together with locking hardware upon which pallets are stored (creates industrial shelving). This supports palletized material handling enabling forklifts to easily access, retrieve, or place them.
Pallet loads are key in almost all logistic stages, handling materials inside the warehouse and transportation.
Other names for pallet racking include warehouse storage racks, warehouse shelving racks, warehouse racking systems, and pallet racking systems.
Selective racking is the most common and versatile pallet racking type.
It’s simpler, works with many types of materials, doesn’t require special forklifts or other equipment, and is cheaper than other racking types. It also provides efficient use of space and immediate access to every load stored.
There are 2 types of pallet stacking: Floor stacking and block stacking.
Floor stacking is the simplest method and involves placing pallets directly on the floor. Block stacking is like floor stacking, except that pallets are stacked on top of one another.
Warehouses can also use pallet racking as an alternative to floor and block stacking.
There are 6 main types of pallet racking:
There are different warehouse racking parts depending on the racking type.
The main pallet racking components:
Storage racks are essential for storing materials and industrial purposes in warehouses, holding bays, and transportation. The pallets are stored in horizontal rows and multiple vertical levels, increasing storage capacity and inventory management.
Common industries that use storage racking include:
To accurately measure pallet racks, you must measure three components: Cross beams, uprights, and wire decking.
To measure beams, you measure 2 things: The beam length and the beam face.
Typically a beam measurement looks like this: 96″ x 5″ step beam, 5,500 lb capacity/pair
There are 4 measurements you must take when measuring uprights:
The depth of the pallet rack is the same as the frame depth. The most common frame depth (front-to-back) is 42,” with other common dimensions being 36″ and 48″.
The depth of the post (upright frame) is the depth of the wire decking.
To confirm, measure the width of the wire decking by measuring from one outside edge of the post to the other outside edge. They should have the same dimension.
Wired decking sizes may vary depending on the decking materials.
Some of the most popular pallet racking manufacturers are:
Identifying pallet racking types can be difficult. But it can also be easy if you know what you’re looking for.
Some pallet racking systems are easily identified by their logo, manufacturer name, or product part number on the rack. But they can be difficult to identify when they don’t have labels.
You can refer to this pallet rack identification chart to help you identify your pallet.
Conclusion
That’s it: Everything you need to know about pallet racking types.
What is cantilever racking and what is it used for?
A Cantilever rack or Swing-out shelf is a special type of heavy duty shelving for industrial, logistics or wholesale warehouses. In contrast to shelving systems with fixed compartments, the compartments can be swung out with a simple mechanism like arms. Hence the designation Swing-out shelf. The shelves are called cantilevers because they "cantilever out" when pulled out, i.e. they project beyond the building line or uprights.
With swing-out arms in two directions, cantilever racking can be loaded on both sides, for example, lengthwise and endwise or left and right. Cantilever racking is often long goods racking. They are used to store a wide variety of long, heavy or light goods such as
Are there any special requirements for the location and environment in which cantilever racking is installed?
Since cantilever racking, as heavy duty racking, is exposed to high loads, it should be erected on a level, solid, load-bearing and stable base. The distance to other racks, stored goods and equipment such as parked forklift trucks must be large enough so that the cantilever arms can swing out freely and without danger. As with all types of heavy-duty shelving, the hall temperature and humidity should be optimal for the stored goods.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of cantilever racking compared to other types of racking?
The advantages of cantilever racking - briefly summarised:
The disadvantage of heavy duty racking of this design is that it may offer less storage space in the same area than classic long goods racking or pallet racking with fixed levels. The space is needed from swing-out space for the cantilever arms. When swinging out, the distribution of the heavy weights also changes. This can affect stability and load-bearing capacity.
Can a cantilever rack be easily extended or adapted?
A cantilever rack like ArmStrong® SwingOut from storemaster® can be extended almost without limits and adapted to the individual needs of the warehouse, the goods or the hall - whether with cantilever arms and shelves that can be swung out on one or both sides. The shelf heights can be varied from 125 mm to 500 mm, the depths from 500 mm to 1000 mm for long goods. storemaster® is happy to make offers to its customers according to their needs.
Why should you choose cantilever racking from storemaster® decide?
storemaster® is a Pioneer in storage technology and has decades of experience in the construction of shelving for stored goods with high load-bearing capacity. Many of our products are market innovations or have long been classics. storemaster® offers a 20-year guarantee on each of its shelves.
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