Pallet racks provide essential storage in warehouses and industrial spaces. They ensure the productivity and efficiency of a workspace and help to store goods and materials in an organized manner while making the most of the space available.
Besides being a staple storage unit in warehouse facilities, pallet racks are also popular in retail centers, distribution facilities, and manufacturing facilities.
Pallet racking allows warehouse managers to maximize both horizontal and vertical spaces. Stacking the racks on top of one another provides a structure that makes it easier for employees to locate the goods they need and accommodates products of different sizes.
Why Choose Used Pallet Racks?
New pallet racks are relatively expensive, which can be cost-prohibitive for a startup or companies looking to expand their storage space temporarily while saving money.
Many businesses have found it beneficial to source a used pallet rack system from second-hand warehouse storage suppliers. This way, they can achieve efficient organization and increase productivity at a more affordable price.
When sourcing used pallet racks, ensure the material is high-quality and that the racks can handle the weight capacity you require for your inventory.
The majority of used pallet racks available are in good condition. At Shelving + Rack Systems, Inc., we thoroughly inspect all used racking for signs of damage that could impact their structural stability. This ensures your used racks are just as stable and safe as new ones but at a great price point.
Using second-hand pallet racking for storage in your warehouse also shows your clients that you are environmentally conscious. These days, modern consumers place a higher value on sustainability. So, by opting for used pallet racking over new materials, you actively appeal to an eco-conscious customer base and show buyers that you are forward-thinking.
Warehouse Pallet Racking Capacity
Pallet racking systems in warehouses are among the most important components of any storage, distribution, or material handling operation.
A typical standard-duty pallet racking system should hold between 15,000 and 18,000 lbs. Heavy-duty racking has a capacity ranging from 25,000 to 30,000 lbs.
The most common and popular type of pallet racking used for warehouse storage is selective pallet racks. While used pallet racking equipment may show signs of general wear and tear, including dents, discoloration, and scratches, it doesn’t mean that the system’s efficiency is reduced.
If your system is certified like-new or in excellent condition, it may support its original capacity. In contrast, if your racks are older or well-worn, you may need to limit the total load. If you are ever in doubt, contact the manufacturer for advice.
Pallet Racking Components
Pallet racking has a variety of important components that make up the system. It’s important to understand each part to ensure the correct setup in your warehouse. The five most prominent components are:
Pallet Rack Upright Frames
Pallet racking upright frames, otherwise known as upright columns or uprights, act as structural support for load beams. They are the components at the end of the row of racking and are typically made from steel.
Make sure to inspect used pallet rack uprights thoroughly, as they are one of the two primary load-bearing components and a critical factor in the system’s ability to carry loads.
Pallet Rack Beams
Pallet rack beams are heavy-duty rails. They connect the upright frames and build the shelves of the actual pallet rack. The beams are the components that determine the width of the entire pallet rack structure and are available in various heights and lengths.
Like uprights, beams are the other critical load-bearing part of a racking system. When buying a used system, check the beams for signs of wear, tear, or damage.
Pallet Rack Decks
Pallet rack decks are the components that sit across the racking beams and provide a secure base for which the pallets, materials, or stock are stored. The pallet decking allows the rack user to store more than just pallets, such as boxes, cages, crates, and totes.
Used decking, whether wire decking, steel, or particleboard, is rarely worn out or damaged to the point of becoming unsafe. Your system’s decking should be suitable as long as it looks structurally sound.
Pallet Rack Aisle Guards
Pallet rack aisle guards are the components that protect your pallet rack and warehouse from potential accidents and disasters. Usually made from steel due to its strength and durability, aisle guards protect the entire depth of your pallet rack frame from any type of impact, including forklift contact.
They are also great for intersecting aisles or the end of each pallet rack aisle in heavy-duty situations, where forklift traffic and action are the most abundant. Although the aisle guards are the most likely to become worn or damaged from use, you can inexpensively replace these parts with newer ones.
Pallet Rack Supports
Pallet rack supports, also known as support bars, provide extra backing between the beams. When in their correct position, they provide support to damaged, undersized, or heavy pallets.
Pallet rack supports may come in handy with used pallet racks that have had years of use, as they add structural integrity to older models.
Different Types of Used Racking Systems
When searching for the best second-hand pallet racking for your warehouse, you have a wide range of options to choose from. Some may be better suited to your storage preferences and business type than others. Besides selective racking, the most common and popular styles of racking systems are:
Cantilever Racks
If you need to store long, awkward, and bulky materials of any length, then used cantilever racks are ideal. They offer no vertical obstructions in the storage area like other racking systems, making them the most efficient way to store long and flat materials, such as lumber, steel rebar, tubing, and pipes.
Single-Deep Pallet Racks
These pallet rack models have single bays that can be moved and accessed easily. Suitable for holding a wide variety of light- and medium-weight stock in your storage facility, these models are most typically seen in small to medium-capacity warehouses.
Double-Deep Pallet Racks
As your business grows, your need for storage increases. Double-deep pallets are perfect for business owners who have large amounts of stock to store at one time. They have two rows instead of one, which allows you to add more storage into your bay and make better use of vertical space.
Because of the second row of pallets, double-deep models give you less visibility than traditional systems; however, if you need to store a higher density of product or use a LIFO system, this racking is the right choice.
Drive-Through Racks
Drive-through racks are pallet rack models that allow warehouse trucks such as forklifts direct access to safely drive to the rack and stack or unstack the pallets. The pallets are placed behind one another and can be stacked on several levels. These models are designed with the utmost efficiency in mind so forklifts can quickly move and provide warehouse facilities with the stock they need.
Push Back Racks
Push back racks, otherwise known as pallet flow racks, work by storing pallets on wheeled carts that rest on storage rails. When an item is loaded into one of these systems, a pallet is moved onto a cart, pushing another pallet back to make space.
Teardrop Pallet Racks
This pallet rack design is one of the most popular storage shelving designs for warehouses. Its design resembles a teardrop, using an inverted teardrop-shaped hole connector that secures the beams. The teardrop beam pallet rack does this without using any hardware.
Keystone Pallet Racks
This type of racking is also referred to as Republic racking. Keystone pallet racks have holes in the uprights that resemble keystones.,
Choose the Right Used Pallet Rack Supplier
When choosing used pallet storage systems for your business, it’s important to do your research and find second-hand vendors that are reliable and trustworthy so you don’t compromise on the safety of your inventory or staff.
At Shelving + Rack Systems Inc., we stock a range of inspected and OSHA-compliant used pallet systems to increase the efficiency of your warehouse operations. For more information
contact us via our online form or call us today to discuss your warehouse storage needs.
FAQs
Do used pallet racks need to be bolted to the floor?
Yes. According to the Rack Manufacturers Institute (RMI), all pallet racking systems should come with floor or base plates that are anchored to the floor using bolts.
How many cross bars are required under each pallet?
In general, you should place at least two cross bars underneath each pallet load, so depending on the length of your beams and the size of your pallet, this could be between 4-8 crossbars. Cross bars are recommended for used pallet racking because they provide additional structural support.
