With the industrial production process and storage requirement of special-shaped items, Cantilever Racks have become the focus of the world with their flexible, high-capacity, and other characteristics. Cantilever racking is utilized in the form of pipes, tubes, lumber, or other long items. One of the most common forms of industrial storage racks is the cantilever rack.
What is Cantilever Rack?
Cantilever rack system is a common racking system for logistic warehouses, distribution centers, outdoor storage. It is designed to store long, bulky, or irregularly shaped items such as pipes, timber, metal bars, tubes, carpet rolls, and furniture.
It features vertical steel columns with horizontal cantilever arms extending outward to support loads. This cantilever rack, made of Q235 Cold Roller Steel, with high-quality powder coating. It can store up to 5 tons goods with each pair of cantilever rack arms.
How Do Cantilever Racks Work?
Cantilever racks work by using a unique structural design that allows storage of long, awkward items without front column obstructions. This design is what makes them so versatile and efficient for warehouses and industrial storage needs. Let's break down how they work in a way that's easy to understand.
The Basic Structure
A cantilever rack consists of vertical columns connected to a sturdy base, with horizontal arms extending outward. Since these arms are only supported at one end, they create an open, column-free loading space that allows for easy placement and retrieval of materials without maneuvering around obstacles.
Weight Distribution System
Because of their unique design, cantilever racks distribute weight differently than traditional shelving. When items are placed on the arms, the weight creates a downward force and a rotational moment. This force travels through the arms to the columns, down to the base, and finally distributes across the floor. This engineering principle ensures stability even with heavy, awkwardly-shaped items.
Customizable Configuration
Cantilever racks offer exceptional flexibility for storage needs. The arms can be adjusted at different heights along the columns, and their length can vary based on the items being stored. This makes them ideal for businesses with changing inventory requirements or those storing materials of various sizes and weights.
Specialized Applications
They excel at storing materials that would be impractical on standard racking, such as lumber, pipes, furniture, or sheet materials. The open design allows for easy side loading with forklifts, which significantly reduces handling time and increases warehouse efficiency. If you want to understand more about efficient warehouse layouts, then read this guide on optimizing storage space.
Components of Cantilever Racking System
1. Uprights (Vertical Columns)
Uprights are the vertical columns mounted above the base on the floor. They serve as the main support structure for the cantilever arms, bearing the weight of the stored materials from one end.
2. Base
The base is a crucial component that connects directly to the uprights using bolts or other rigid fastening methods. It anchors the entire rack to the floor, providing essential stability and support to the uprights and preventing tipping.
3. Cantilever Arms
Cantilever arms are horizontal beams fixed at one end to the uprights at regular intervals and adjustable angles, depending on storage needs. These arms act as the primary support surface for the materials being stored, accommodating long or bulky items efficiently.
4. Bracing (Horizontal and Diagonal)
Braces connect the uprights horizontally and diagonally, acting as structural joints that enhance rigidity and overall stability. They prevent sway and deformation, ensuring the rack system remains secure under load.
Types of Cantilever Rack
Single-Sided Cantilever Rack
Single-sided cantilever racks feature arms projecting from only one side of the upright columns. These systems are ideal for placement against walls or in areas with limited space. The load capacity ranges from 800 pounds to 8000 pounds per arm, depending on the structural design.
Double-Sided Cantilever Rack
Double-sided configurations have arms extending from both sides of the vertical columns, maximizing storage capacity in open floor areas. This design offers excellent space utilization and accessibility from multiple aisles. Double-sided systems can support up to 12000 pounds per column.
Light Duty Cantilever Rack
These racks are designed for environments where loading and unloading of products are performed manually. Products stored are typically small in size and easy to handle without mechanical assistance. The holding capacity of the arms ranges from 500 pounds to 5,000 pounds, making them ideal for retail settings and light industrial applications.
I-Beam Cantilever Rack
The I-Beam cantilever rack is considered the most efficient racking system, allowing you to store goods like lumber on either side of the rack. This system reduces space requirements while providing excellent flexibility and support for product storage. I-beam cantilever racks can withstand loads of up to 20,000 pounds, making them suitable for medium to heavy industrial applications.
Structural/Heavy Duty Cantilever Rack
This racking system is engineered for handling medium to heavy loads, making it the preferred choice in large industries where products are huge and bulky. Structural cantilever racks are constructed from heavy-duty steel, and the connecting bolts used are of high strength to ensure maximum stability and durability. These systems can support extremely heavy loads exceeding 5,500 pounds per arm.
How To Choose The Right Cantilever Rack
Evaluate Storage Requirements First
Businesses seeking efficient storage for long, bulky materials typically choose cantilever racks as their preferred solution. These specialized systems accommodate items like lumber, pipes, and sheet materials that standard pallet racking cannot effectively handle. The material dimensions dictate arm length requirements while their weight determines necessary load capacities. Proper planning requires accurate measurement of your longest and heaviest inventory items before purchase. Future inventory growth projections should influence your selection process to ensure long-term space utilization.
Warehouse Space Considerations Matter Tremendously
Available floor space dramatically impacts cantilever rack configuration options in your facility. Ceiling height limitations determine maximum vertical extension possibilities while aisle width requirements influence accessibility. Single-sided racks positioned against walls maximize floor space utilization in smaller warehouses, while double-sided configurations deliver maximum storage density in central areas. Floor load capacity evaluation becomes critical since concentrated weight distribution through upright columns creates significant pressure points requiring adequate structural support.
Configuration Selection Determines Operational Success
Arm length selection must accommodate your longest materials without excessive overhang that creates safety hazards. Proper vertical spacing between arms prevents product damage while enabling efficient space utilization. Adjustable arm positions provide flexibility for inventory changes throughout your operational lifecycle. Structural bracing requirements increase proportionally with rack height and load capacity to maintain system stability under full-load conditions.
Material Quality Impacts Long-Term Performance
High-quality steel construction offers superior durability and structural integrity compared to lighter alternatives. Protective coatings become essential in humid or corrosive environments to prevent deterioration and maintain load-bearing capacity. Premium galvanized finishes resist scratches and surface damage during daily operations while extending system lifespan considerably.
Professional Installation Ensures Safety Compliance
Proper installation following manufacturer specifications prevents structural failures and workplace accidents. Regular maintenance inspections identify loose connections, damaged components, or alignment issues before they compromise system integrity. Documentation of weight capacities and loading procedures provides essential safety guidance for warehouse personnel while meeting regulatory compliance requirements.
Budget Balancing Requires Total Cost Analysis
Initial investment costs must be weighed against long-term operational benefits and system longevity. Premium systems offering adjustability, higher load capacities, and superior finishes deliver enhanced value despite higher acquisition costs. Modular designs facilitate future expansion without complete system replacement when storage needs evolve.
Is Cantilever Racking Right for Your Warehouse?
Cantilever Racking have become essential to Industrial Storage because of their flexible and high capacity. Cantilever Rack System to help your warehouse save space and increase efficient while reducing costs and goods damage. The investment in cantilever rack system delivers long-term benefits for your warehouse or business to higher turnover and more capacity for storage or rent.
At Heda Shelves, we believe quality isn’t just a goal—it’s our standard. Our custom warehouse racking solutions are designed to elevate your space, blending timeless beauty with exceptional durability. Let us help you bring more load, safety, and high pick efficiency into your business. Contact us today to explore how our designs can increase picking efficiency in your space.