Cantilever Racking Storage Systems Timber, Steel & Pipes

Storing long and bulky items in your warehouse can turn into a logistical nightmare if you’re using the wrong equipment. 

That’s because the standard pallet racks that you see aren’t built to withstand items like timber, steel sections, and PVC pipes. That is where cantilever racking storage systems help you out, coming in to save the day.

These systems give your forklifts unhindered access for loading and unloading materials of any length in a safe manner. 

Let’s take a look how cantilever racking can improve your space efficiency and be beneficial for your warehouse:

Key Takeaways

• Cantilever racking stores long, bulky materials efficiently without front columns blocking loading or unloading access.
• It is the ideal storage solution for timber, steel, pipes, and awkwardly shaped industrial stock.
• There are many types of cantilever racking systems. Choosing light or heavy duty depends on product weight, length, and your specific storage environment.
• Proper load calculations and aisle planning improve safety, forklift access, and day-to-day warehouse productivity.
• New racks offer compliance confidence, while second-hand units can reduce your upfront purchase costs significantly.
• Always compare load capacities, surface finishes, and supplier support before committing to a final purchase.
  

What are cantilever storage racking systemsused for?

Cantilever racking systems are specifically engineered to handle heavier items when it comes to storage. They help keep your inventory properly organized and safely off the ground.

Here’s what they can be used for:

Replacing standard racking for awkward loads

Standard pallet racking is fantastic for boxed goods sitting on pallets.

But it completely fails when you introduce long items into the mix. 

The upright front columns get in the way and make it impossible to slide long lengths of timber or piping into storage bays. This often leads to businesses leaving their bulk stock on the floor, something that creates massive tripping hazards and wastes valuable floor space. 

Now when you pick a cantilever rack, it removes those front barriers entirely. This helps you with smooth and wide-open access.

Safely storing timber, steel, and pipes

The utility of cantilever racking storage systems for long and bulky items lies in their open-faced design. They use horizontal load-bearing arms extending from a central vertical column. 

This allows you to lay incredibly long materials flat across multiple arms at one time. With uniform weight distribution, you can prevent your raw timber from bowing in the middle and keep your heavy steel secure. 

Plus, your forklift drivers will love the incredibly easy and obstacle-free access.

Maximizing floor space with flexible layouts

You’ll have two main layout options here to fit your warehouse floor plan. Single-sided racks are designed to sit flush against your warehouse walls. They help save aisle space and maximize vertical storage height. 

On the flip side, double-sided racks stand freely in the middle of your floor plan and allow workers to access materials from both aisles. 

The best part about this is that you can easily convert a single-sided unit into a double-sided one later if your storage needs grow!

How to choose the right cantilever racking system

You always need to match the rack perfectly to the material it will be housing. 

Let’s take a look at a quick breakdown of how you can evaluate the different types of cantilever racking storage systems:

Light duty vs heavy duty cantilever racking

Not all warehouse stock is created equal. Light duty cantilever racking is perfect for hand-loaded items like PVC pipes, light tubing, or lightweight timber trim. 

However, if you are moving massive structural beams, automotive parts, or thick metal sheets then you absolutely need heavy duty cantilever racking. These industrial-grade systems are engineered from solid structural steel to handle thousands of kilograms per arm without buckling or bending under the intense pressure.

Choosing cantilever racking for timber and lumber

Wood is tricky to store because it can warp or rot if it isn’t supported correctly. You need a system with easily adjustable arms to go with it. This allows you to tweak the vertical spacing based on the different batches and thicknesses of timber you receive. 

Keeping the wood elevated off the ground also protects it from unexpected moisture damage, mold, and crawling pests on the warehouse floor.

Choosing cantilever racking for steel sections and bar stock

When dealing with raw metal, you’ll need to prioritize maximum strength and durability. Investing in heavy duty cantilever warehouse racks for steel storage then becomes non-negotiable for workplace safety. 

Steel bars and extrusions are incredibly dense in nature. You must carefully calculate your load capacity per arm. 

So, make sure that the system you buy is officially load-rated and strictly compliant with Australian safety standards. This helps reduce the likelihood of catastrophic collapses, providing a safer warehouse.

Choosing cantilever racking for pipes and tubing

Pipes and rounded goods present a very unique storage challenge: They like to roll. 

When selecting a system for cylindrical items, make sure the cantilever arms come equipped with removable end-stops. 

These small steel pins sit at the very tip of the storage arm and physically stop your pipes or tubing from rolling off the edge and crashing onto the floor. Something that can potentially even injure your warehouse workers.

Indoor vs outdoor cantilever storage considerations

Are you keeping your materials inside a climate-controlled warehouse? Or are they out in a dusty and sun-baked timber yard? If your racks are going outside, then standard powder-coated steel will eventually rust. You need to choose a hot-dipped galvanized finish instead. 

Heavy-duty zinc coating protects the steel from harsh weather, heavy rain, and corrosive UV damage. This leads to your cantilever warehouse racks looking great and lasting for decades outdoors.

Conclusion 

A smooth-running warehouse isn’t achieved by magic. It takes smart planning and the right type of racking to make it possible.

Once you update to cantilever racking systems, you’re doing your warehouse a favour (and to your workers too). More safety, more convenience, and a hell of a lot more storage space makes cantilever racking a suitable choice for heavy items like timber, steel, and pipes.

Ready to stop tripping over inventory and finally increasing your floor space? Contact our team today for a custom quote on the best and most affordable cantilever racking systems in Australia!

We make cantilever racking system installation and integration easy here at Gold Coast Racking.

Frequently asked questions