The Tray™ Issue #47 – Stock Racks, Post Protectors, and Guard Rail Systems
Cantilever racking is a type of warehouse storage that uses a single column to support horizontal arms. This makes it an ideal choice for storing large or long items, as well as beams and other construction materials. Cantilever racks are perfect for use in shipping and manufacturing facilities and can be customized to meet the specific needs of your business.
For a storage solution that can handle large or irregular items, cantilever racks are a great choice. Contact Shelving + Rack Systems, Inc. today to learn more about this versatile warehouse storage option.
Since cantilever racking is designed to store heavier materials, it is manufactured using high-quality steel. This gives each rack longevity and ensures it can withstand wear and tear from frequent industrial use. Durable cantilever racks are usually made from roll formed or structural steel. Depending on your budget and storage requirements, one of these materials may be a better fit for your warehouse.
A roll formed cantilever rack is made from cold roll formed steel, which is of a lighter gauge than other types. It is used to create a wide variety of storage equipment, from furniture storage racks to light-duty cantilever racks. While it isn’t as strong as structural steel, a roll formed cantilever rack can support tens of thousands of pounds.
Roll formed steel racks are perfect for businesses that stock a variety of materials and product SKUs. They can be assembled and reconfigured quickly and easily without special tools, using boltless connections. This setup ensures you can adjust the shelf level by hand in seconds. Roll formed racking is mainly used in high-volume turnover facilities that require significant storage capacity.
A structural cantilever rack is manufactured from hot-rolled structural steel in a different process from roll formed steel. The production process makes structural steel more durable than roll formed. A structural cantilever rack is capable of withstanding heavier loads and can stand up to harsh warehouse environments. Structural components are also durable and long-lasting.
A cantilever rack storage system is a modular addition to your warehouse, which can be upgraded or adjusted using accessories and additional equipment. Cantilever racks have four key components, which come in a wide range of materials and sizes. Choose from an array of custom designs to ensure you find a racking system that fulfills your facility’s needs.
A cantilever arm is an L-shaped steel beam that projects outward at a right angle or at a slight incline. Rack arms offer a high degree of flexibility in terms of placement and range of motion. They are available in various capacities, arm level options, heights, and lengths. Cantilever storage arms support the inventory directly, so the load capacity per arm must be sufficient.
Upright columns, also called vertical uprights, are the cantilever rack system’s main structural support component. Uprights are manufactured in various sizes and capacities to accommodate any storage needs. Uprights are connected to bases and bracing to form a complete cantilever rack system.
Cantilever rack uprights are available in single and double-sided configurations. Single-sided uprights only have arms on one side and are typically used for storing lighter loads. Double-sided uprights have arms on both sides and can store heavier loads. Uprights can also be equipped with horizontal braces to provide additional support for hefty loads.
One of the most critical parts of a cantilever rack is the base. The base provides stability for the upright and helps to distribute the weight of the stored items evenly. Cantilever bases come in different heights and styles to meet the needs of various applications.
Some bases are designed for specific types of uprights, while others can be used with any unit. Cantilever rack base height is an essential consideration as it must be tall enough to accommodate the height of the stored items. Racks with taller bases can also be used to create mezzanines, which provide additional storage space on top of existing storage areas. Depending on the application, cantilever bases can be connected together using bolts or welding.
Many heavy-duty cantilever racks feature a horizontal brace between uprights to help stabilize the racks and prevent them from tipping over. This is a significant safety feature, as racks require excellent stability to house heavy materials safely.
Cantilever braces are typically made of steel or aluminum. Rack braces are available as brace sets or individually in multiple sizes to accommodate different storage units. In most cases, cantilever braces are installed by professionals to ensure safety.
Two kinds of assembly and manufacturing methods are used in cantilever racks.
In a structural cantilever rack, the components are composed of hot-rolled steel that is either welded or bolted together by the manufacturer. Using heavy-gauge steel, structural racks are stronger, providing increased weight capacity compared with roll-formed racks.
Our Red Steel Cantilever Rack is made using structural-steel “I” beams for increased strength and rigidity. Available in either single- or double-sided configurations, the Red Steel Cantilever Rack is highly versatile and permits easy access.
Composed of cold-rolled steel components, roll-formed cantilever racks are more lightly constructed than their structural counterparts, providing reduced load capacities as a result. However, roll-formed racks are still strong and are easy to assemble and disassemble. Lead times with roll-formed racking systems are also generally lower, as the method of fabrication is simpler.
Our Meco Omaha Series 2000 Medium-Heavy Duty Cantilever Racks are good examples of this type of racking system. Durably constructed, these heavy-duty racks are simple and easy to install. The open-base design increases forklift accessibility, and the arms are adjustable on 3” centers.
Depending on the height, configuration, and arm length that you choose, this system can support anywhere between 8,800 and 34,800 lbs.
Aisle rack protectors are essential for pallet rack systems built vertically into the warehouse. Post protectors help absorb impacts from forklifts and machinery in place of the pallet racking. While most pallet racks are constructed from heavy-duty steel, they are not indestructible.
Heavy collisions with pallet rack posts can cause significant damage, diminishing the system’s structural integrity. Pallet rack damage may reduce the unit’s load capacity. If it goes unnoticed, you may overload the unit, leading to a rack collapse.
Our inventory list includes a selection of protectors, whether you require a single bolt-on post protector or multiple heavy-duty pallet rack protectors. The standard and large column protectors are some of our biggest sellers. They are a cost-effective insurance policy against significant damage to racks.
We stock protectors for columns in a range of sizes, from 6 to 18 inches.
Workplace accidents and collisions are a reality of the industrial and warehouse settings. Even with the absolute best of intentions, skill, great care in forklift driving, and rigorous safety training, collisions still occur.
When you install a heavy-duty guardrail barricade system, you will create a defensive wall of steel in between your equipment and your team members. It’s the solution that provides you peace of mind. Protect your equipment and people on the shop floor from forklift, vehicle traffic, and other hazards.
Steel guard rails provide some of the best protection available. The specific option you choose depends on several factors. You must consider square footage required, type of merchandise you carry in your warehouse, whether you use forklifts, and the general layout of your facility.
Double rail systems 44”h provide excellent protection in busy facilities with heavy traffic and products and pallets that weigh a lot.
Single rail installations 18” h provide excellent protection if you have a limited budget and are processing less volume and weight.
The single high and double high systems can be outfitted with drop-in guard rails to provide a workable solution for your safety needs when frequent access is required behind the rails.
Drop-in or removable guard rails allow you to reconfigure the aisle, pallet, and walk-way areas depending on your needs.
This high strength guardrail is constructed out of 4″ Schedule 80 and 6″ Schedule 40 pipe. It is then sleeved (covered) in tough Hi-Density Thermoplastic Polyethylene which makes it maintenance free. It can be installed by core drilling into the cement or surface mounted using a base-plate. This rail system is available single and double high as well.
This design will withstand multiple impacts from up to 4 mph from a 12,000-pound forklift. When this style of the guardrail is hit, the force is distributed into the entire section of guard railing; this results in 0 deflection.
Many companies use fixed barriers to delineate walkways where forklifts and other heavy machinery should not be used. These barriers segregate pedestrians from potentially hazardous equipment.
Fixed barriers give your workers excellent protection and help minimize accidental collisions.
Shelving + Rack Systems, Inc. is a leading Authorized Distributor of Racks, Post Protectors, And Guard Rail Systems. Contact us by calling 800-589-RACK (855-969-4164), or 855-969-4164.
