Cantilever racking is the perfect solution for storing long items like beams, pipes, and boards. These racks are designed with special columns and arms to keep your materials secure. They come in both single-sided and double-sided options, and you can choose between light, medium, or heavy-duty types depending on your load's weight, arm length, and column height.

Here are five key benefits of using cantilever racking to improve your warehouse efficiency:

1. Maximizing space usage
2. Easy access to products
3. Flexible storage options
4. Protecting product quality
5. Ensuring a safer workspace

Types of Cantilever Racking

There are two main types of cantilever racking: structural and roll-formed. Both have different features depending on your storage needs.

• Structural racks are made from hot-rolled steel, giving them great strength and durability. They can handle heavy loads and are perfect for tough warehouse environments. These racks need little maintenance and can stand up to mild contact from forklifts or other machinery.
• Roll-formed racks are made from lighter cold-rolled steel and are often referred to as light-duty racks. Even though they are lighter, they can still hold up to 30,000 pounds. One big advantage is their adjustability, using boltless connectors that make them easy to assemble and reconfigure. This makes them ideal for fast-paced settings like food and beverage warehouses.

Cantilever Racking Configurations

Cantilever racking can be set up in single-sided or double-sided configurations, depending on your warehouse layout and the types of products you need to store.

• Single-sided racks have arms on just one side, with a base to keep them stable. They can be placed back-to-back to maximize storage space. These racks include components like the tower, base, arms, and bracing set.
• Double-sided racks offer more storage capacity and can be stacked vertically to save floor space. They provide easier access to products, making the warehouse safer and more organized. Many warehouses use a mix of single and double-sided racks to meet their needs.

Cantilever racking has advantages over standard pallet racking, especially for storing heavy or bulky items like timber or steel bars. These large items are often hard to store properly and could get damaged if left outside. Cantilever racking increases warehouse capacity by providing more space for storing items both horizontally and vertically. Without front vertical posts, forklifts can easily access and move items.

Easy to Assemble and Adjust

One of the best things about cantilever racking is how easy it is to set up. Most systems are modular, meaning you can quickly assemble them and adjust as needed. Lighter-duty racks often use boltless parts that slide into place for fast installation, while heavier-duty racks use stronger bolted beams. These racks can be either freestanding or attached to walls. Some versions, like the I-beam rack, have two load-bearing arms without shelves. Most cantilever systems don’t need external braces, making the assembly even faster.

More Storage Space

Cantilever racking is great for increasing vertical storage space. The racks are supported by a combination of uprights and base plates, while arms and sway braces hold the shelving units. This setup is especially useful for storing large items like lumber, which can be placed directly on the arms. With adjustable arms, goods can be stacked vertically to fully use the available space and reduce floor clutter. This gives warehouse managers more flexibility when arranging the layout and makes it easier for forklifts to retrieve items.