What is Cantilever Racking?
Cantilever racking is a heavy-duty racking system used to store medium to large, long or heavy loads, materials and components.
Long or heavy goods are notoriously difficult to store, taking up valuable space in your workplace. Cantilever racking systems offer a solution, helping you to store everything from cars to timber.
At Prodek, our cantilever racks are made to last and made to measure, which means they are an effective solution for all businesses. Read our guide to help you choose what cantilever racking systems are best for you.
A cantilever racking system consists of an L-shaped upright, up to ten meters high, with a series of cantilever arms attached to each upright, on which loads are placed. Cantilever racks are an open storage system which provide forklift, bridge or stacker crane operators clear entry for accessing items such as pipe, steel, timber or vehicles.
Cantilever arms are manufactured to dimensions of up to 2.5 meters long, with a maximum Safe Working Load (SWL) of up to 2,500kg. Cantilever racking is available in a single or double-sided configuration, with racking arm spacing designed to suit different storage requirements. Single arm cantilever racks are suited to installation along a wall, and double-sided racks are suitable for use as a freestanding racking system, accessible by forklift from both sides.
Cantilever racking uprights are securely fastened to a stable and level floor surface, such as poured cement, to ensure optimum weight distribution. The base of each upright is longer than the storage arms to provide maximum stability when fully loaded.
Cantilever Racking System Benefits
Cantilever storage racks are ideal for storing long loads, such as cars, extrusions or wood.
Stored materials are supported by spanning the gap between two cantilever arms, so are not suited to storing items which require support along their length. However, for some storage requirements, it is possible to install supporting lateral bars or mesh panels to offer further support – our team of engineers can advise of the best option for your cantilever storage racks.
Cantilever racking systems make efficient use of vertical space within a storage yard or warehouse, accommodating large volumes of stock within a small floor area. This racking system can free up floor space to provide a safer and more productive workspace.
- Bespoke design and manufacture to suit specific requirements
- Rapid, low-impact installation process
- Easy to load racking system with adjustable arms
- Simple to relocate as workspace or product requirements change
- Manufactured using quality steels and processes for longevity
- Made in Sheffield, UK
Prodek Cantilever Racking Systems
At Prodek, we manufacture and install cantilever racking designed to meet specific storage requirements – nothing is off-the-shelf with us.
We have many years of experience designing cantilever racking systems for some of the longest and heaviest items stored en masse – our car racking systems have transformed vehicle storage for large-scale vehicle recycling operations across the country.
In our experience, one of the key elements to consider when designing a cantilever racking system is the integration between racking systems and handling equipment. Whether the operator is loading and unloading using a forklift truck, bridge or stacker crane, our cantilever rack designs provide the best use of available floor space while providing operators with a safe and efficient workspace to maximise productivity.
We manufacture two types of cantilever racking for different weight and spacing applications, using hot-rolled steel and cold-formed steel processes for maximum racking performance and longevity:
PRO-BOLT cantilever racks
Consisting of upright columns produced using hot-rolled structural steel sections. The cantilever arms bolt to the column flange to provide 150mm vertical adjustability.
PRO-PIN cantilever racks
Consisting of tapered upright columns using cold-formed steel sections. The cantilever arms are fixed to the column using a high-strength steel pin to provide 76mm vertical adjustability.
All Prodek cantilever racking system designs and installations are carried out in accordance with SEMA guidelines and current British Standards, guaranteeing a quality and robust racking system.
For Extrusion Storage
Extrusions can be a difficult item to store in a yard or warehouse.
Produced to create an object of a fixed cross-sectional profile, extrusions are often heavy – especially when stored in volume – and are usually too long for conventional warehouse racking. A further complication with extrusion storage is that some materials have a degree of flexibility, such as window frames or plastic pipe, so require specific support along the length of each section.
Through our long-standing relationships with leading companies in the extrusion industry, we have developed a thorough understanding of their storage requirements. This experience enables us to deliver practical solutions for the extrusions industry, proven to increase capacity and productivity, while allowing operators fast and easy access to individual product locations. Our expertise includes the installation of conventional cantilever racking, narrow aisle guided cantilever racks and mobile cantilever racking systems.
For Vehicle Storage
Prodek Car Racking uses our high-quality manufactured cantilever racking systems for storing vehicles and vehicle parts.
Vehicles are stored on individual cantilever arm levels to prevent damage and provide easy access for loading and unloading. Racking can be supplied to store up to five vehicles vertically, with an option to double storage capacity, using double-sided cantilever racking to store vehicles on both sides of the rack. Each vehicle is supported by two cantilever arms that bolt directly to the column and can be adjusted by 100mm above and below the standard position. Most cantilever arms are designed to carry 1500kg Safe Working Load (SWL) per pair, with heavier loads accommodated to bespoke specifications.
Prodek Vehicle Storage Racking is constructed from heavy-duty hot-rolled universal beam steel sections. The steel is finished with a hot-dipped galvanization process, to meet BS EN ISO 1461:1999 specifications which provides long-term product protection. Prodek cantilever car racks are designed to comply with BS5950 structural use of steelwork, and loadings in accordance with BS6399 Part 1.four
For Steel Storage
Prodek are a leading supplier of cantilever racking to steel stockholders, with over 28 years’ experience providing solutions for the storage of metal tubes, metal bars and metal sheets.
The wealth of experience we have gained within the industry has allowed us to design cantilever racking systems which achieve the best operational efficiency while maximising storage capacity.
Stockholders have reaped the benefits of our wide-aisle cantilever racking and narrow-aisle guided cantilever racking systems – optimising the use of space enables greater storage capacity with the potential to increase income per square metre.
To produce the most cost-effective and robust solution, all Prodek cantilever racking systems are designed in accordance with the latest British Standards and SEMA guidelines.
For Timber Storage
Cantilever racking is ideally suited for the storage of long load timber products such as hardwoods, softwoods and panel products.
Using cantilever racking for timber ensures the product retains its quality during storage. Cantilever racking reduces the storage footprint of timber products by making use of the vertical space within a timber storage yard. Prodek racking frees up significant volumes of space to increase storage capacity and maximise profit per square meter.
Our designers and engineers have a wealth of experience working within the timber industry and a proven track record delivering effective timber storage solutions. From narrow-aisle guided systems to external racks supporting roofs, Prodek design to meet specific requirements, for different products dimensions, weights and timber yard layouts.
Prodek cantilever racking systems for timber storage are designed in accordance with SEMA guidelines to provide the most cost-effective cantilever racking systems.
Additional Services
Cantilever Racking – FAQ’s
What Are The Advantages Of Cantilever Racking?
Utilising a Cantilever Racking system is advantageous, as it allows for easy product access, particularly for hard-to-shelve items. Some of the other various advantages of installing a Warehouse Cantilever Racking system include…
- Flexible height and angle adjustment.
- Easy Access to hard-to-shelve items.
- Frees up warehouse floor space; allowing for a wide variety of loads. Warehouse layouts and walkways can be planned safely and efficiently.
How Much Weight Can A Cantilever Support?
Perfect for storing long goods such as pipes and boards in a safe manner, each Cantilever Rack arm is able to support up to 2,500kg, including long and awkward loads that are typically difficult to store.
However, it is also extremely important to note that periodic Racking Inspections must take place to maintain the safety of your workplace, and adhere to regulations and practices.
Do Cantilever Racks Need To Be Bolted?
Cantilever Racks should always be bolted down in environments where mechanical handling equipment may be used. It’s important that Cantilever Racks are correctly bolted to the floor to maintain ultimate safety for your employees, and to protect valuable stock that may be stored on the Cantilever Racks themselves.
What Are The Standards Of Cantilever Racks?
What Is The Difference Between A Cantilever Rack and a Pallet Rack?
A Cantilever Rack uses arms to support wide, long, and awkward loads like timber, pipes, and metal. Cantilever Racks are also far more flexible, as with no fixed shelves, their height and angles can be adjusted to support even the most awkward of loads. This differs from Pallet Racks, as they are designed to support goods stored solely on pallets.
What Are The Advantages Of Cantilever Racking?
Utilising a Cantilever Racking system is advantageous, as it allows for easy product access, particularly for hard-to-shelve items. Some of the other various advantages of installing a Warehouse Cantilever Racking system include…
- Flexible height and angle adjustment.
- Easy Access to hard-to-shelve items.
- Frees up warehouse floor space; allowing for a wide variety of loads. Warehouse layouts and walkways can be planned safely and efficiently.
How Much Weight Can A Cantilever Support?
Perfect for storing long goods such as pipes and boards in a safe manner, each Cantilever Rack arm is able to support up to 2,500kg, including long and awkward loads that are typically difficult to store.
However, it is also extremely important to note that periodic Racking Inspections must take place to maintain the safety of your workplace, and adhere to regulations and practices.
Do Cantilever Racks Need To Be Bolted?
Cantilever Racks should always be bolted down in environments where mechanical handling equipment may be used. It’s important that Cantilever Racks are correctly bolted to the floor to maintain ultimate safety for your employees, and to protect valuable stock that may be stored on the Cantilever Racks themselves.
What Is The Difference Between A Cantilever Rack and a Pallet Rack?
A Cantilever Rack uses arms to support wide, long, and awkward loads like timber, pipes, and metal. Cantilever Racks are also far more flexible, as with no fixed shelves, their height and angles can be adjusted to support even the most awkward of loads. This differs from Pallet Racks, as they are designed to support goods stored solely on pallets.
