The selection warehouse storage solution can make or break the inventory management in the warehouse and can transform your place from cluttered to clean real quick. It is crucial to choose the right kind of storage solution for the warehouse to save yourself from hassles and stress down the line. When it comes to large-scale industrial storage, there are two most prominent options available in the market: Pallet Racking and Cantilever Racking. Both racking systems are used for storing inventory and can be customized according to an industrial environment, area, and storage space but the application for both is entirely different. Let’s understand more about pallet racking and cantilever racking solutions through their utility, benefits, and limitations.
Pallet Racking Vs. Cantilever Racking
Pallet Racking Storage Solutions
Pallet racking storage solutions are made up of heavy-duty and industrial-grade durable materials and are specially designed to withhold heavy weights and strain of the heaviest loads in your warehouse. The pallet racking system consists of a series of upright frames and horizontal load beams that create shelves or levels where pallets can be stored.
Pallet Racking Inspection Checklist
A pallet racking inspection checklist consists of minute observations of certain parameters and checking for signs of damage, dents, bends, or twisted components in any part of the rack. It ensures the safety and security of the inventory as well as the user by inspecting uprights, beams, bracing, load levels, clearance, signage and markings, and many others. This checklist also helps in maintaining proper documentation, employee training, and special considerations.
Types of Pallet Racking
Selective Pallet Racking – This provides direct access to each pallet and is suitable for a wide variety of SKUs with low to medium turnover rates.
Drive-In/Drive-Through Pallet Racking – This is designed for high-density storage with fewer aisles, where forklifts can drive into the rack system to retrieve or place pallets.
Push Back Racking – This type of racking utilizes a nested cart system to allow for multiple pallets to be stored and retrieved from the same aisle.
Pallet Flow Racking – Uses gravity to feed pallets from one end of the rack to the other, ideal for high-throughput operations with first-in, first-out (FIFO) inventory rotation.
Cantilever Racking System
The cantilever racking system is specifically designed for storing long, bulky, and irregularly shaped items such as piping, lumber, and furniture. Cantilever racks are used specifically for storing odd-shaped inventory and the arms can be customized depending on the lengths, weight, and size of the products. Cantilever racking suppliers allow you to use all three dimensions such as height, width, and total storage area. This system is the best choice if you have an inventory flow that is not discrete and identical.
Types of Cantilever Racking
Heavy Duty Cantilever racking – Heavy-duty Cantilever racking storage option is the optimal storage solution for lengthy or odd-shaped loads and depending on the selection of coating, these racks can be used indoors as well as outdoors.
Light Duty Cantilever Racking – Light-duty Cantilever storage racking is specially designed to accommodate light to medium-duty storage. It works as an economical solution for storing larger materials.
Benefits of Cantilever Racking
- The Cantilever Racking System is easy to install and configure with easy availability of manuals.
- Cantilever Racks allow you to store a wide variety of goods with adjustable arms that suit the height of the product.
- This makes the products easily accessible which ensures reduced handling time for long loads.
- Cantilever Racks allow high flexibility as they allow flexible storage for non-identical products.
Core Difference Between Pallet & Cantilever Racking Systems
Flexibility – Cantilever racks are more flexible as they have adjustable arms and can be tailored as per requirements.
Affordability – Pallet racking is more economical compared to Cantilever racks but as both serve distinct purposes, competition is a little tricky.
Versatility & Utility – Pallet racking is for products that have regular shapes and sizes while cantilever racks can accommodate large, bulky, and odd-shaped items effortlessly.
Structure – Pallet racks are horizontal racks stacked one on top of another resulting in a vertical structure while there is no horizontal limit in cantilever racking.
All in all, the pallet racking system is best suited for goods that are palletized and require high-density storage whereas the cantilever racking system is best suited for bulky, long, and irregularly shaped items that require easy access and high visibility. We, at Gold Coast Racking, help the management to choose between the two racking systems based on the product that needs to be stored, specific requirements, and the available warehouse facility and space.
