A pallet rack is a steel structure that is upright and consists of connectors and beams that are clipped, welded, or bolted together to create a shelving unit for storing equipment and inventory. Pallet racks are considered to be the essential component for providing a sturdy method in warehousing for locating and organizing stored materials. Read More…
Ridg-U-Rak produces more than 100 million pounds of pallet rack, high density storage rack and specialized rack systems annually. A customer-centric, full-service pallet rack producer with over 400,000 square feet of production and warehouse space, Ridg-U-Rak offers engineering, design, project management and installation services that meet your pallet rack needs on time and on budget.
Steel King offers the industry’s widest selection of rack types, including roll-form and structural pallet racks, drive-in racks, gravity flow and push back storage systems, multi-level pick modules, automation integration, cantilever racks, portable racks, and custom shipping racks. Plus a full-line of guard rail and rack protection products. Full engineering staff and more than 200 standard...
Quality Material Handling (QMH) is a leading total solutions provider for boltless shelving, warehouse racking, storage systems, mezzanines, and dock equipment. With over 29 years of experience and an in-house fabrication facility, QMH designs and manufactures innovative custom solutions such as dock platforms and ramps that solve difficult loading and unloading challenges. We are a full-service...
Established in 1972, RACK USA provides storage solutions for material handling applications. We design heavy load racks, medium load racks, retail fixtures, and custom industrial rack solutions. Hundreds of clients can attest to our expertise and dedication to quality.
Many types, sizes, makes & models of shelving available online at SJF.com. We buy & sell warehouse equipment with the nation's largest inventory of new and used material handling equipment: over 20 acres! Explore our website & find dealer direct savings on shelving & more types of material handling equipment.
Donobrog is a leading material handling supplier. Since 1985, we have provided high-quality pallet racks and racking systems. We offer many other products, including mezzanine staircases, flow racks, guard railing and more. Expect excellent service on simple and difficult jobs.
More Pallet Rack Manufacturers
Pallet racks are configured and designed in a way that makes it possible to store any product type from tools and heavy machinery to clothing and food.
How Pallet Racks are Made
Upright Frame - The upright frame has vertical columns. These columns rest on the floor and they are extended to reach the top shelves. The vertical columns consist of multiple holes that are cut into them for the cross beams to be connected. The depth of the beam, together with the height of the pallet that is loaded, determines the height of the frame. These calculations are used to come up with the number of levels that can be put on the pallet rack.
Cross Beams – Cross beams usually have two main uses. They are used for shelf support and to connect the frame. Cross beams consist of a connective bracket at both ends. These can attach the beam securely to the frame holes much more easily. Cross beams are responsible for bearing the weight of the pallets and they form the shelf platform.
Anchor Bolts – Anchor bolts serve the purpose of anchoring the feet of the upright frame of the pallet rack. For the anchor to be rightly placed, there are holes that are drilled to place the bolts and securely hold the pallet rack. Anchor bolts are used because they are an extra source of reinforcement and security.
Base Plate – The base plate anchors the racking system. It is welded to the bottom of the frame support and its width and size are made in such a way that the weight of the rack is evenly distributed.
Cross Bars – The use of cross bars is to increase safety and help in taking part of the load by the distribution of weight. They can be diagonal or horizontal and they prevent pallet rack failure. The construction and design of cross bars ensure stability and add support to the columns.
Rack Decking – Rack decking is a way of ensuring the safety of the pallet rack. They provide pallet support and a place for them to sit well. Rack decking has numerous advantages including the prevention of items from falling from pallets that are stacked poorly.
Types of Pallet Racks
Pallet racks are available in a wide variety of capacities, designs, and styles depending on the building capacity and the type of stored product.
Cantilever Pallet
Cantilever pallet racks are used to store cumbersome, bulky, and long items that are not feasible to be stored on traditional racks. The outstanding factor about cantilever racks is their weight capacity. The weight capacity varies concerning a specific product. Cantilever pallet racks are made by the use of arms and upright columns for the product to be secured. In between the storage bays, they have horizontal braces.
Selective Pallet Racking
This pallet system is very common because it is much easier to remove a pallet without affecting another one. Every pallet rack position is reachable independently with this system. Due to easy access, it is possible to see, load, and unload items.
Counting and doing calculations is also made easier and more efficient during inventory since there is no need to remove anything from the pallet.
Push-Back
This racking system is most suitable for dense storage when there is little space available. Shelf trays are used to load pallets that ride on rails that are put and fitted in the frame. This will allow them to be pushed back when the shelf is being loaded.
Drive-In/Drive-Through
These systems are designed for warehouses that have inventory that shifts constantly. The forklift is made to work inside the racks. There are no specific lanes between the rows. The forklift uses the same opening for entering and exiting. The drive-in/drive-through design is ideal for cold storage.
Other Systems
Other types of pallet racks include double-deep pallet racking for warehouses that require quick handling and have limited space and pallet-flow racking systems that make use of roller tracks to create a gravity flow lane allowing for easy movement of pallets.
Benefits of Pallet Racks
Pallet racks have numerous advantages that have made them essential in warehouses and storage engineering. Some of these benefits include:
- Space optimization – Floor space is maximized by the use of space under the ceiling.
- Bulk capacity - They are capable of storing bulk materials.
- Inventory control- Items are easily contained in specific areas.
- Customization – They are designed to meet specific needs.
- Racking safety – Pallet racks are safe to work with and prevent harm to workers.
Choosing the Proper Pallet Rack Supplier
To make sure you have the most productive outcome when purchasing pallet racks from a pallet rack supplier, it is important to compare at least 4 companies using our list of pallet rack suppliers. Each pallet rack supplier has a business page that highlights their areas of experience and capabilities and a contact form to directly communicate with the supplier for more information or request a quote. Review each pallet rack company website using our proprietary website previewer to get an idea of what each company specializes in, and then use our simple RFQ form to contact multiple pallet rack companies with the same message.