Cantilever Racking System

A Cantilever Rack System is a storage solution for long, bulky, or irregularly shaped items such as lumber, pipes, or steel bars. 

Unlike traditional pallet racking, it features an open-front design without vertical beams, allowing unobstructed access and making it ideal for oversized materials.

With adjustable arms and the ability to handle both heavy and awkwardly shaped products, cantilever racking outperforms pallet racks, which are suited for uniform pallets, and shelving systems, which are better for smaller, lighter items.

It’s particularly beneficial for warehouses needing efficient space utilization and easy forklift access, especially for storing materials that vary in length or shape.

Components of Cantilever Rack

A cantilever rack is made up of several components, each playing a crucial role in its strength and adaptability. Below, we break down the key parts:

Cantilever Rack Anatomy Image

Cantilever Uprights: The backbone of your cantilever rack, uprights provide vertical support.

Cantilever Bracing: Connects the uprights, giving the rack its lateral stability.

Cantilever Arms: The arms are where your materials rest. These are load-rated to handle heavy items like steel beams or wooden planks.

Cantilever Drop Pins: There are two types of Cantilever Drop Pins: Arm Pins and Base Pins. Each arm has a socket for drop pins, but the pins themselves are optional and depend on the application. If you’re storing pipes or other roll-formed products, the pins can help prevent items from falling. However, if you’re storing plywood sheets, you likely won’t need them.

Cantilever Installation Hardware: Anchors secure uprights to the ground for stability while bolts connect arms, bracing, and other components.

Types of Cantilever Racks

Below, we outline the most common types of cantilever racks and their unique benefits, helping you make an informed decision for your business.

Structural vs. Roll-Formed Cantilever Racks

Cantilever racking comes in two types: Structural and Roll-Formed. Structural racking is stronger and more durable and handles heavy loads, making it ideal for industrial use, outdoor applications, and automated systems. It resists damage from forklifts and supports taller racks or roofs. Roll-formed racking is lighter and cheaper but less durable and suited for lighter loads. We only sell structural cantilever racking because it offers 100% better performance, durability, and value for clients who need a heavy-duty, long-lasting solution.

Single-Sided vs. Double-Sided Cantilever Racks

Single-Sided vs Double-sided cantilever racks image

Cantilever racks come in single-sided and double-sided designs, each suited for different storage needs. Single-sided racks are often placed against walls, offering efficient storage without taking up extra space. On the other hand, double-sided racks provide storage on both sides, maximizing capacity and accessibility in open spaces. This design is perfect for larger warehouses or yards where you need to store high volumes of long or bulky items. The choice depends on your space and storage requirements, but both designs ensure easy access and efficient organization.

How to Choose Cantilever Uprights?

Step 1: Determine Your Column Spacing

To calculate the spacing between upright columns:

1. Measure the length of your load.
2. Divide the length by two.

This gives you the initial column spacing required for cantilever storage. The final spacing depends on the number of arms needed to support your load properly.

Note: This measurement is based on the center-to-center distance between columns.

Step 2: Determine the Number and Spacing of Support Arms

How many arms do you need to prevent load deflection?
Here’s a simple test to determine this:

1. Gather a sample of your load and some wood blocks/bricks/wood panels.
2. Place bricks on the floor and center your load on them.
3. Use a tape measure to observe if the load sags.

If the load is deflected, you’ll need additional support arms beneath it. The deflection and arm spacing will dictate the upright spacing for your rack system. Heavy loads may require more arms and tighter column spacing. Since each arm is mounted to a column, the spacing of the arms determines the column spacing.

Steps for Preventing Load Deflection:

• 1: Use enough arms to eliminate load deflection entirely. Deflection can create undesirable side pressure on the arms. Use wood blocks to test your load for deflection.
• 2: If there’s no deflection with two arms, you can use them. Each arm must support half the load weight, and the upright centerline spacing should be half the load length.
• 3: If there is deflection with two arms, add a third. If this works, each arm must support 1/3 of the load weight, and the upright centerline spacing will be 1/3 of the load length. Continue adding supports until all deflection is eliminated.

A Note on Horizontal Load Overhang

Your load should not overhang the ends of the arms by more than half the horizontal distance between arms. Overhanging beyond this limit can cause the ends of the load to sag or deflect.

Step 3. Determine Your Column Height

Image of cantilever racks 12, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 together, for those we stock mark we stock, for others – contact us to get a lead times

We stock uprights in 12′ and 16′ heights, but if you need taller options, such as 18′, 20′, 22′, or 24′, feel free to contact us!

Column Height Formula

Column Height=(Number of Storage Levels×Load Height)+(Handling Clearance per Level×Number of Levels)+(Number of Arm Levels×Arm Thickness)

Note: The top of the column must extend above the top arm by at least the base height.

Base Height

The base height is the distance from the floor to the top of the base. This measurement varies depending on rack depth and load weight.

How to choose cantilever arms?

We stock 48” x 4” (up to 2,600 lbs capacity) and 48” x 5” (up to 3,000 lbs capacity), but if you need other options, such as 60”, feel free to contact us!

Types of Cantilever Arms

Image for inclined and straight arm

Inclined arms are ideal for preventing round items or unstable loads from rolling off. Straight arms work best for flat loads and offer more usable space along the same arm length.

Stop Pins & Sockets

Image of cantilever socket and stop pins

Every cantilever arm we offer includes a socket for stop pins, making them ideal for securing round loads that might shift or move, reducing the risk of falls or spills. Separate stop pins are available for both the arms and the base.

How to set up cantilever arm spacing?

Arm spacing is determined by adding together:

1. The load height
2. Clearance
3. Arm height

This measurement should be taken from the base of the lower arm to the top of the arm above it. Be sure to allow enough space to lift loads without hitting another arm. Once determined, arm spacing will help set the column heights.

How to determine cantilever arm capacity?

Arm capacity is calculated by dividing the total load weight by the number of arms per level, assuming each arm evenly supports the load. To find the arm capacity, divide the load per level by the number of support arms.

• Uneven loading can reduce arm capacity by at least 50%. To ensure stability and safety, all loads should be uniform and evenly distributed.