Ask any warehouse manager, and the majority will no doubt agree: there’s never enough space. No matter how well you’ve planned your storage layout, there’s inevitably that awkward corner, that wall space crying out to be utilised, or that awkward length of material that just won’t fit into your standard racking. This is where the single sided cantilever racking comes into its own.
Unlike standard shelving, where the uprights at the front of the racking can be a nuisance when dealing with longer items, the cantilever racking uses a base unit with a rear upright, from which the shelving arms extend. In the case of the single sided cantilever, the shelving arms are mounted from one side, typically against the wall to maximise floor space utilisation.
Why Businesses Use This Type of Warehouse Shelving
As any business will quickly come to realise, the benefits of the single sided cantilever racking soon become apparent when dealing with awkward items that simply will not fit into standard shelving units. Wood merchants with 6-meter lengths of hardwood, steel merchants with structural steel beams, or plumbers with copper piping all face the same common problem: standard shelving units create problems, not solutions.
In the case of the single sided cantilever shelving, the obstruction at the front of the shelving unit is eliminated. This means that the forklift truck can be driven up to the shelving from any direction, without the risk of the forks getting stuck between the uprights. This not only speeds up the process but greatly reduces the risk of damage to the stored material, as well as the shelving unit.
In addition, the wall mounting of the shelving unit ensures that what would otherwise be dead space is utilised to the maximum.
What Makes It Different
The design uses vertical columns that are securely fastened to a strong base. From these columns, horizontal arms extend outwards at varying heights. The beauty here is that you’re not limited to fixed shelf sizes. As you add more items to store, you can simply change the height of the arms to accommodate varying sizes of items you’re storing.
The arms can be made longer or shorter depending on the items you’re storing. For instance, you could use shorter arms for storing smaller items such as PVC pipes and timber bundles. On the other hand, you could use longer arms for storing larger items such as steel rods and aluminium extrusions. The load-bearing capacity of each arm depends on its length as well as the column’s capacity. The system can store anything from a few hundred kilograms to a number of tonnes per level.
As there’s no column at the front, you can store items of virtually any length. This can be especially useful for businesses that use materials that come in varying sizes. For instance, you could be working with timber that comes in varying sizes. One day you could be working with 4-metre pieces, while the following day you could be working with 5.5-metre pieces. This system can handle any sizes you need without any modifications required.
Installation Considerations
It’s not just a case of simply installing the system against a wall. While this may seem obvious, you should ensure that the wall can withstand the forces that will be acting against it as a result of the racking system. This may be especially true for older buildings that may not be as well constructed as more modern buildings. Similarly, you should consider the floor’s capacity. A fully loaded system can put a lot of weight on the base. For concrete floors, you should ensure that the floor is not only thick enough but also strong enough to withstand the forces acting against it.
Access Requirements
Access requirements will also affect your layout. Take into consideration the size of the items that will be stored. Your forklift will need to be able to manoeuvre around the racking. In theory, small spaces can be ideal, but in practice, it can be frustrating when the forklift cannot accurately place items within the storage area.
Running Costs and Maintenance
Once installed, the storage systems will not require a lot of maintenance, unlike other storage solutions. You will need to regularly check the storage area for any damages, particularly to the arms and uprights of the cantilever racking, especially where the forklifts come into contact. Damaged storage equipment is a serious safety hazard. You will need to change any damaged parts immediately.
The cantilever racking’s simplicity is to your advantage when it comes to maintenance. It is not like other storage equipment that uses complex mechanisms. This cantilever racking is basically indestructible. You will, however, need to occasionally touch up the paint. In addition, rust will set into the steel, compromising the integrity of the storage equipment. This, however, will not be a problem with the powder coating.
Is It Right for Your Operation?
Cantilever racking is perfect for solving storage problems. It will be the best solution when you have items of awkward shapes that will be difficult to place in the storage area. It is perfect when you have the wall space. It is difficult to imagine a better solution than the cantilever racking.
It is ideal when your storage needs cannot be met with standard shelving. It will be the best solution when you want to make the best of your storage space. It is ideal when you want to solve your storage problems. It will be the best solution when your storage needs cannot be met with standard shelving.
It is ideal when your business will benefit from the flexibility of the cantilever racking. It will be the best solution when your storage needs cannot be met with standard shelving. It is ideal when you want to make the best of your storage space. It will be the best solution when your storage needs cannot be met with standard shelving. It is ideal when your business will benefit from the flexibility of the cantilever racking.