If you were to ask people about storage solutions, the chances are most of them would have some sort of idea about pallet racking systems , though they may not be able to explain clearly how such systems actually work.

The majority of us will have seen these systems in action in retail outlets and DIY stores, but won’t fully understand how they operate. So, for the benefit of these people, here’s a brief explanation.

Pallet Racking.

Pallet racking storage is a specific type of heavy-duty shelving system which is mainly used in warehouses and factories for storing pallets to carry large or bulkier items. The construction is simple. A pallet racking system consists of a basic shelving system/structure: however, instead of using flat shelves for the pallets to rest on, a racking system is constructed with flat horizontal steel bars. Businesses can then arrange or utilise the racking in any way they see fit, taking into account the overall floor space available, the height of the storage facility and the need for stock accessibility. A pallet racking system is probably the most versatile and cost-effective storage system available and will serve the majority of businesses well. Push-back racking systems are just one of the many pallet racking systems available, but undoubtedly one of the most useful. So, what’s so special about push-back pallet racking systems?

Push Back Pallet Racks.

This is undoubtedly one of the cleverest and most-innovative forms of racking system, and utilises rows of shelving, back to back, with the shelves on a slight decline. Pallets are then placed at the higher end and are pushed down so the next pallet can be loaded.

In a typical push-back racking system, pallets can be stored one behind the other up to 4 deep. The pallets are loaded onto the specially designed carrier which pushes everything within that section backwards. When a pallet is removed, all of the remaining pallets simply roll forwards, via a combination of the wheeled carrier and gravity, until they reach the front of the racking.

Pallets are accessed from the front of the racking unit only, so therefore require a last in, first out (LIFO) system to be used.

Dynamic push-back racking is used mainly for longer term storage. The clever design lends itself to high volume bulk storage where each product type can have its own storage lane.

Although there are many types of push-back pallet racking systems available, it’s important to try to keep the racking system as simple as possible and ensure that it delivers what is required. Suppliers should be able to help you design the lay out of your new pallet racking system in a way that is best suited for the business. A good supplier, like Monarch Shelving, will also give you the option of buying used pallet racking materials which can save you a considerable amount of money.