When you’re storing long, bulky, or oddly shaped items, traditional pallet racking just won’t cut it. This is where cantilever racking steps in – a unique storage solution that’s all about flexibility and accessibility. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at what makes cantilever racking stand out, which industries benefit most, and some practical tips on getting the best out of it.
What Makes Cantilever Racking Different?
Cantilever racking is designed specifically for items that need open, uninterrupted access. Unlike other racking systems that rely on shelves or fixed levels, cantilever racking has horizontal arms attached to a central support column, with no vertical obstructions in the front. This design allows you to load and unload items with ease, without worrying about manoeuvring around posts or supports.
The racking arms are adjustable, so you can set up the levels to fit different sizes and shapes. If you’re regularly handling large, heavy items, cantilever racking provides the flexibility you need to keep everything organised and accessible.
Who Uses Cantilever Racking?
Cantilever racking is the go-to storage solution for industries handling long, heavy, or irregularly shaped items. Think timber yards, metal suppliers, and construction materials. It’s a favourite in hardware stores and furniture warehouses, too. Whether it’s lumber, pipes, metal sheets, or steel bars, cantilever racking is designed to handle the weight and size of these bulky products.
Customising Your Cantilever Racking
One of the best things about cantilever racking is its adaptability. You can adjust the arms based on the height and weight of your items, making it easy to handle whatever you need to store. There are also options to add decking if you need to store smaller items or tilt arms to prevent things from sliding off. And if you’re storing materials outdoors, galvanised finishes are available to prevent rust and corrosion, ensuring your racking system lasts.
Common Challenges and Installation Tips
While cantilever racking is a fantastic solution for many storage needs, there are a few challenges to keep in mind:
- Installation Precision: Proper installation is crucial. The racking needs to be aligned correctly to avoid any stability issues. Each arm must be able to handle the intended load, so it’s best to check the load limits regularly.
- Aisle Planning: Make sure there’s enough space for forklifts or other handling equipment to manoeuvre safely. Cantilever racking is open on one side, but you’ll still need to plan aisle space accordingly.
- Weight Loading Capacity: What should you do if the cantilever racking is not strong enough for your product? Due to the lack of front vertical posts, the weight loading capacity of cantilever racking can sometimes be challenged. What we do in these circumstances is reduce the spacing between posts. This increases the number of posts and arms supporting your load and will help you to achieve the necessary weight loading.
- Cost: Cantilever racking tends to be more expensive per metre compared to conventional pallet racking. The design means that components with thicker steel must be used and this contributes to a higher material cost. To minimise the cost, you should consider increasing the spacing between posts so that fewer posts are used. Utilising double-sided cantilever racking also decreases the cost per metre compared with single-sided racking. This is because all the same components are used except for the base support.
Keeping It Safe: Precautions with Cantilever Racking
Cantilever racking can handle a lot, but safety is key. Here are a few tips:
- Install on a solid base: Cantilever racking should be installed onto a sound concrete base. Installing onto asphalt or gravel will compromise the strength of the structure. To ensure that your system is structurally sound, you should obtain a PS1 and PS4 reports as a minimum.
- Regular Load Checks: Avoid overloading by sticking to the weight limits. Exceeding these can lead to structural issues. Ask your racking supplier for weight loading signage. If you have obtained a PS1 & PS4 they will be able to provide this for you which will help to keep operators from overloading the racks.
- Anchoring: Proper anchoring to the floor keeps the racking stable.
- Safety Accessories: Consider using cantilever arm slip pins. When installed, these can prevent items from accidentally sliding off.
A quick training session for staff on safe loading practices can also go a long way in ensuring the safety of everyone around the racking.
Is Cantilever Racking Cost-Effective?
Cantilever racking can be more of an investment upfront compared to standard pallet racking. However, if you’re in a business where long and bulky items are the norm, it’s often more cost-effective in the long run. The design makes loading and unloading quicker, saving handling time and reducing labour costs. You can set up pallet racking systems with spans of up to 4m. This could reduce the cost initially but if pack sizes change and as your product mix evolves, you may find yourself with a lot of wasted space. The value of cantilever racking is that product can be stored at any point along the unit. This means that as pack sizes change, you can easily reconfigure the storage to minimise any ‘dead’ space.
Maintenance Tips for a Long-Lasting Cantilever Racking System
A bit of regular maintenance goes a long way in keeping your cantilever racking in top shape:
- Routine Inspections: Check for any wear on arms, bolts, and structural components.
- Replace Damaged Arms Promptly: If an arm is damaged, it’s essential to replace it immediately to avoid accidents. When damaged arms are not replaced quickly, more load transfers onto adjacent arms damaging them too.
- Rust Prevention: Especially if your racking is outdoors, make sure to keep an eye out for any signs of rust. Regular cleaning can also help keep the system in good shape.
Commonly Stored Materials on Cantilever Racking
Typical items stored on cantilever racking include:
- Timber and lumber
- Pipes and tubing
- Metal sheets and bars
- Aluminium extrusion
- Steel components such as scaffolding materials
- Furniture components
These types of items don’t fit well in traditional pallet racking but are a natural fit for cantilever racking due to their length or irregular shapes.
Choosing the Right Cantilever Racking System
When selecting cantilever racking, warehouse managers should consider the type and weight of stored items, floor load capacity, and the available height. Ensure your setup matches your handling equipment (e.g., forklifts) and think about whether you may need a weather-resistant system if storage is outdoors.
Pro tip: make sure you check the lifting height of your forklift equipment. Unless you are expecting to change for your forkhoist, you will not want to purchase a system that is too tall for your handling equipment.
New Trends in Cantilever Racking
Cantilever racking is often used outside for the storage of timber and construction materials. Many lumber yards are now looking at ways to keep these products dry to maximise the the value for their customers. This has resulted in a new system being introduced to the market where canopies and covers are added onto the cantilever racking system. This solution allows you to have a covered storage area that uses the cantilever racking as the structure and the storage.
The Bottom Line
Cantilever racking is a practical and effective solution for industries with unique storage needs. Its customisability and accessibility make it perfect for handling long and bulky items, while the option for outdoor use extends its versatility even further. With the right setup and maintenance, cantilever racking can make managing your inventory easier and safer, ultimately helping you make the most of your warehouse space.
