Used pallet racking is a vital part of a warehouse’s equipment. Whether you’re contemplating purchasing used pallet racks for a new warehouse or distribution center or upgrading an existing one, it’s important to take the necessary steps to ensure that you’re gaining the most from your investment.

Used pallet racks can represent a significant saving in both time and money, providing the budget-conscious warehouse owner with cost-effective storage solutions.

Keeping Costs Down

If you’re in the process of starting or expanding your business, keeping your costs down is vital. Used pallet racks are less expensive than new systems, significantly reducing your initial capital outlay and startup costs. In addition, many used warehouse pallet racking systems are available partially assembled, reducing assembly and installation costs compared with new racking systems.

Quality Control is Key

When you’re searching for a suitable used pallet racking system, your priority should be to find a reputable supplier. Request detailed photographs or video footage of the used pallet racking system you’re considering buying.

Shelving + Rack Systems, Inc. thoroughly inspects all racking system components to ensure they meet quality standards and are safe to use.

Conduct Your Own Inspections

It’s worth conducting periodic inspections of the racking systems you purchase to ensure they remain functional and safe after installation. You should also monitor racking systems for signs of rust or corrosion due to chipped or cracked paint and damage from forklift trucks. Regular inspections and preventative maintenance can prolong the life of your used racks.

Choose the Right Type of Racking

Used pallet racking systems are available in various designs, depending on your storage and retrieval needs.

Several factors affect the cost of used racking. These include condition, age, and depth. For example, a double-deep selective rack will usually be more expensive than a single-deep variant.

Types of Pallet Racking

Once you’ve decided how many pallet positions you need per bay and what kind of assembly and fabrication method you’re willing to pay for, you can consider the type of racking system. The ideal rack for your warehouse depends on your inventory, your retrieval methods, how you rotate stock, and your budget.

For example, if you store significant quantities of oddly shaped, heavy, bulky items, you may consider buying cantilever racking systems. Warehouses that stock furniture, lumber, or bar stock use cantilever racks for this purpose.

If you need selectivity for low-volume storage, selective racks are ideal, allowing you to access multiple pallets and SKUs at the same time using standard material handling equipment. However, if high-volume storage is necessary for your warehouse, a high-density system that deprioritizes selectivity may be preferable.

High-density racking systems include push back and pallet flow racking and drive-in racking systems.

Used Pallet Rack Accessories

You can buy several accessories to augment your used pallet racks, improving their function and safety.

Column protectors

Whether you’re installing new or used warehouse racking, you must protect your new storage systems against damage, especially from forklift collisions. Column protectors play a critical role in warehouse safety, acting as a barrier between forklift trucks and the uprights that comprise the vertical support structure of your rack.

If a forklift operator miscalculates distance or speed, the column protector absorbs the impact, ensuring your pallet rack remains unscathed.

Our Short Column Protectors, by Diversified Plastics Inc. (DPI), protect uprights to a height of 24”, which is where most damage typically occurs. Due to their relatively low profile, these protectors ensure you can still access frame-mounted fire extinguishers for emergencies. The bright yellow color increases visibility under low-light conditions.

Decking

Decking allows you to fill in the gaps between rack beams to store smaller items, such as cardboard boxes and trays, that would otherwise fall through the system. Decking can help bridge the gap between warehouse shelving and racking systems. There are several types of decking, including wire decking, steel decking, and timber decking. Each type of decking has its pros and cons.

For example, our 14-gauge All-Welded Steel Rack Decking, manufactured by Little Giant, is available in either perforated or solid-steel configurations and has a load capacity of 3,000 lbs. per section.

The decking also features 12-gauge channels compatible with 1⅝” step beams. The front and rear edges also have a 1½” waterfall. For increased corrosion resistance, the steel decking has a durable powder-coated finish.

Check Out the Used Pallet Racks at Shelving + Rack Systems, Inc.

At Shelving + Rack Systems, Inc., we carry a diverse range of storage solutions for the modern warehouse, from storage racks to industrial shelving. If you’re in the market for used pallet racking, we can supply used pallet racking systems that have been carefully inspected to ensure quality and safety.

Steps to Used Pallet Rack Success