Warehouses today need storage solutions that do not just help save on space but provide easy accessibility to all kinds of products as well. If you have pallet racks installed in your facility, they would be quite effective in storing your boxed goods. However, they would fail miserably when it comes to long, bulky, or oddly shaped items like steel pipes, wood, steel bars, furniture panels, and PVC. In such situations, cantilever racking proves to be the best possible option.
Cantilever racking basically consists of vertical columns with the installation of arms instead of front columns. These racks make the process of loading and unloading long items easier and more convenient. Businesses operating in manufacturing, construction, logistics, the furniture industry, and the steel industry use cantilever racks in order to make their storage processes efficient and improve workplace safety as well.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at types of cantilever racking, their applications, advantages and how to choose the right one to install in your warehouse.
What is a Cantilever Racking System?
A cantilever racking system is a specially designed solution that is used for storing long and heavy items or oversized materials. Contrary to traditional pallet racks, cantilever racks offer an open-front design which makes it possible to load materials onto cantilever racks with a forklift or operator.
A standard cantilever rack includes:
- Vertical columns
- Base supports
- Adjustable cantilever arms
- Horizontal and cross bracing
As you can see, there are no front columns, which allows loading materials quickly and efficiently using the whole storage width.
Examples of the most common materials stored on a cantilever rack are:
- Steel pipes
- Lumber
- Aluminium profiles
- PVC pipes
- Wooden boards
- Furniture panels
- Structural steel sections
Types of Cantilever Racking
In order to determine the most effective cantilever racking system to use, the following must be considered: load weight, available space, and functional demands. The following are the types of cantilever racking system that are used the most in many industries today:
1. Light-Duty Cantilever Racking
This kind of system is made to accommodate goods that are manually handled. It has low load capacities, and it is the best for:
- Retail storage
- Hardware shops
- Small warehouses
- Furniture stores
- Plastic products
Light-duty cantilever storage racking enables convenient access to the materials without any use of heavy lifting equipment.
2. Medium-Duty Cantilever Racking
Medium-duty systems offer better load capacity but still maintain flexibility. They are usually used in:
- Wooden boards
- PVC pipes
- Metal rods
- Fabric rolls
- Interior products
This is the choice of many growing companies for cantilever racking, as it offers the right amount of storage capacity along with cost-effectiveness.
3. Heavy-Duty Cantilever Racking
Heavy-duty racking systems offer the maximum load capacity for warehouses that are storing exceptionally heavy material. These are extensively used in:
- Structural steel
- Heavy pipes
- Industrial machinery components
- Steel coils
- Large timber sections
A heavy-duty cantilever racking system provides high load capacity while offering the best safety measures to store goods in an industrial environment.
4. Single-Sided Cantilever Racking
This kind of racking system uses arms extending out from one side of the upright columns and is installed against warehouse walls and is therefore perfect where space on the floor is limited. A single-sided cantilever racking system is commonly used in:
- Timber storage
- Pipe warehouses
- Steel sections
- Hardware products
A single-sided cantilever racking system makes the best use of wall space.
5. Double-Sided Cantilever Racking
Double-sided racking systems have storage arms on both sides of the upright column and enable the storage of materials on both sides. A double-sided cantilever racking system is perfect for:
- Large distribution centres
- Manufacturing plants
- Steel warehouses
- Building material suppliers
Businesses using warehouse cantilever racking often prefer double-sided configurations because they provide higher storage capacity without increasing floor space.
Benefits of Using Cantilever Racking
Choosing the right types of cantilever racking offers several operational and financial advantages.
Maximises Warehouse Space
In a cantilever racking system, vertical storage is maximised; therefore, companies can increase the total storage space without expanding the size of the warehouses.
Easy Loading and Unloading
Since there are no front columns obstructing, the forklifts can access materials in an easy manner and save time.
Flexible Storage
Adjustable arm levels allow flexible storage of materials with different shapes and sizes.
Suitable for Heavy Loads
The heavy-duty cantilever racks are designed in such a manner that they can easily accommodate heavy items like steel bars, timber, pipes, etc.
Improved Inventory Organisation
It ensures that the goods remain well-organised, which minimises damages and facilitates the location of the required materials in the inventory.
Long Service Life
It is constructed using high-quality steel that makes the heavy-duty cantilever racking system very durable.
Applications of Cantilever Racking Across Industries
The flexibility of the cantilever racking system makes it useful in various industries.
Construction Industry
The construction companies make use of the cantilever racks for storing the following:
- Steel beams
- Pipes
- Scaffolding
- Wooden planks
Furniture Manufacturing
Furniture manufacturers make use of cantilever racks for storing the following:
- MDF boards
- Plywood
- Laminates
- Wooden panels
Metal Industry
Steel service centres use heavy-duty cantilever racks for storing the following:
- Metal sheets
- Steel bars
- Aluminium profiles
- Stainless steel pipes
Logistics & Warehousing
Storage of oversized inventory is made convenient by cantilever storage rack systems, which help in inventory management, making the task easier and more efficient.
Plastic & PVC Industry
Large-sized PVC pipes, conduits and plastic profiles can easily be accommodated through adjustable cantilever racking systems.
How to Choose the Right Cantilever Racking System
There is no one size that fits all when it comes to the storage requirements. When choosing between different types of cantilever racking, here are the points to be kept in mind.
- Weight of stored materials
- Product length
- Warehouse ceiling height
- Available floor space
- Loading equipment
- Future storage expansion
- Indoor or outdoor installation
- Required arm capacity
Selection of the right heavy-duty cantilever racking system results in better safety, efficiency and savings for your business.
Why Choose Simco Steel for Cantilever Racking?
Simco Steel is known to be one of the best names in the cantilever rack manufacturers in India, where customisable storage racking is provided according to their needs. There are some reasons why most companies choose Simco Steel:
- Premium-grade steel construction
- Customised rack designs
- High load-bearing capacity
- Corrosion-resistant finishes
- Precision engineering
- Compliance with industry standards
- Professional installation support
- Reliable after-sales service
Regardless of whatever requirement you have, whether you require small storage racking or a high-capacity cantilever racking system, Simco Steel can provide affordable and durable racks to suit your needs.
Conclusion
An understanding of the various types of cantilever racking will give companies an advantage in selecting the most efficient storage system for lengthy and large items. Each cantilever racking system is uniquely built to provide maximum utilisation of storage space regardless of whether it is meant for light or heavy purposes. The purchase of a good cantilever racking system will go a long way in improving the efficiency of the company and allowing proper management of its inventory. One should not hesitate to consult professional cantilever rack makers such as Simco Steel to meet one’s business needs.
FAQs on Types of Cantilever Racking
What is cantilever racking used for?
Cantilever racking is used to store long, bulky, or irregularly shaped materials such as pipes, timber, steel bars, and furniture panels.
What are the advantages of a cantilever racking system?
The cantilever racking system will offer easy access, effective utilisation of vertical space, heavy weight capacity and better organisational facility in the warehouse.
What are the different types of cantilever racking?
There are some common types of cantilever racks that are light-duty, medium-duty, heavy-duty, single-side and double-side cantilever racks.
What are the benefits of a cantilever racking system?
Advantages are high storage capacity, better accessibility, more flexibility, high durability and better handling of long products.
Which industries commonly use warehouse cantilever racking?
The industries that are using cantilever racks in their warehouses include the construction, manufacturing, steel processing, furniture, logistics and pipe distribution industries.
How do I choose the right cantilever racking system?
Choose a system based on load capacity, product dimensions, warehouse layout, handling equipment, and future storage requirements.