MHE Terminology 101: Push Back Pallet Rack

Next Level Storage offers a wide variety of storage solutions to accommodate any storage facility need and layout. Our experts understand that an efficient, well-run storage facility begins with its pallet racking system because it will directly impact operations and therefore profitability. That’s why it’s important to know which pallet racking options works best for your space. And if you don’t know, Next Level can help you make that decision.

To help educate you on your options, we offer MHE Terminology posts that describe different storage options and explain the benefits they bring. Today’s post is about push back pallet racking.

Next Level’s push back pallets are professionally engineered and exceed Rack Manufacturers Institute’s specs. In short, they’re quality, well-built systems that offer optimal performance in action. That all sounds great, you’re thinking, but is a push back rack the one I need? Let us help by giving a brief explanation of how push back pallet racks work.

Push back racks function exactly as they sound: when a pallet is lifted onto the rack by the forklift, it literally pushes back the front-most pallet to the next spot. This sort of storage option is an excellent choice for “deep” storage (versus wide). It lessens the amount of aisle space while maximizing storage space.

On a push back rack system, pallets are placed by forklift onto wheeled carts, which ride on rails. When another pallet is placed onto the rack, it literally pushes back the pallet in front of it and consequently moves all of the pallets back a slot. Alternatively, when pallets are removed, the pallets behind the front-most one then move forward so that there is always a pallet at the ready.

To see pallet rack storage in action, click here.

And when you’re ready to discuss pallet racking, visit Next Level.

Relax dude, it’s just rack…

Photo courtesy of Michael Napoleon via Flikr Creative Commons

by Kim Stebbins

Is it possible to over-think pallet rack?

I am a notorious over-thinker (often to my detriment); so in my world, it is possible to over think anything and everything. Even something as benign as pallet rack.

When I first entered the material handling industry, I knew absolutely nothing about material handling. I did not know what a pallet rack was. I was vaguely aware that conveyors exist (from the grocery store check-out and television programs like “How It’s Made”), but pallet rack and all of its incarnations had never even had a place in my consciousness.  Material handling and supply chain logistics were not things I really acknowledged, let alone pondered–until I took a job selling material handling equipment.

Now, I am always thinking about material handling.  I watch “Unwrapped” on the Food Channel because I enjoy seeing all the specialty conveyors in the food business. When I buy something in a store or order products online, I think about what the goods had to go through to get to me. I contemplate distribution centers and pick modules and consider how everything affects COGS.

I think about pallet rack the most. I contemplate the merits of push back rack, drive-in & drive through rack and flow rack.  I write about it, I teach it and I dream about it. Yes, I dream about rack. My mind sometimes conjures up pallet rack nightmares. What is a pretty simple process–configuring rack for a customer–can become a horror show in dream land.

Not too long into my material handling career, I began training a new sales team.  As this was my first, I was somewhat apprehensive. I had contacted one of our reps  about sending me some brochures and training literature.  After a lengthy discussion about rack, the rep gave me some great advice.  And he got it from a California sales rep, a surfer-dude type. I am going to put it on a sign and tape it to my bathroom mirror: “Relax, dude, it’s just rack…” Pretty good advice.

For more information about Next Level material handling products, visit our website.

 

Pallet Rack 101: Roll Form vs. Structural Steel, What’s the Difference?

What’s the difference between roll formed and structural steel and what does that mean for you?

Actually, both types of steel used in pallet racking are roll formed. Steel that we refer to as “roll formed” is made by a process called cold roll forming: sheets of cold steel are bent with rollers to form the shapes for the uprights and beams. The process is not that much different for structural steel, except the steel is roll formed while hot. In fact, both types are also referred to as hot rolled steel and cold-rolled steel.

The main difference is that structural steel is made from hot rolled channels of steel while roll formed rack is shaped from flat carbon steel. So what does that really mean for you?

Both types of rack have advantages. Structural steel is what you might want if you are storing extremely heavy loads and/or your rack is in a very abusive or tough industrial environment. The design of hot rolled steel allows structural rack to hold more weight and withstand more impact than cold roll formed rack. If your rack will be exposed to a lot of lift truck impact, is located outdoors or is in a freezer or cooler application, you will probably want to consider structural rack.

Roll formed pallet rack, however, is tough enough and strong enough for most warehouse applications. It is less expensive to buy and install–and  if you don’t expect a lot of abuse, roll formed rack  can be quite cost-effective. Consider using upright column protectors and end-of-aisle protectors to lessen the chances of forklift damage.

Speak with a material handling professional to determine which type of rack will give you the best return on your investment, based on your particular environment and storage needs.

For more information about Next Level material handling products, visit our website.

I’m going to ask these questions, so be ready!

Don’t let this happen to you!

by Kim Stebbins

Things you need to know before placing a pallet rack order

Ring, ring.

Hello, Acme Material Handling, how may I help you?

Yes, I need to order some pallet rack.

Ok, what size do you need?

Well, um, I guess I need something about 16-17  feet tall by 8′ wide. I’m not really sure.

Ok, let me see if I can help you. Do you know your ceiling height?

Hmmm, I don’t really know, let me get my tape measure, hang on a minute…

Ok, my ceilings are 16 feet high so I need my rack to be 16′ tall.

Well, if your ceilings are 16′ feet high, you will need your rack to be shorter. Let me ask you some more questions so I can better help you.

What size are your pallets?

Oh, they are just standard size, probably 4 x 4.

If they really are 48 inches wide, you will need at least a nine foot beam to allow for flue spaces. But if they are only 40 inches wide or less, then an 8 foot beam will work fine.

Well, like I said, they are just standard size.

Standard is a loose term when referring to pallets, but a lot of pallets (though not all) are 40 wide by 48 deep which is why 8 foot beams are so common in racking systems. But of course pallets can be many sizes, which is why 9 or 10 foot beams aren’t uncommon. Maybe you could measure them?

Ok, hand on a minute, let me get the tape measure…

Hey, measure the height of the load while you’re it!

Ok, the pallets are 48  inches wide so I guess I need the 9 foot beams.

Good, now how much do your pallets weigh?

They’re pretty heavy.

Ok, you can see where this is going. It happens all the time. Though most people are grateful to be helped along, and many apologize for not having their ducks in a row, I have had actually had some customers get quite agitated with the questions. Once a potential customer said (almost yelling), “Just forget it, I just wanted to order some rack!” The truth is, I just want your racking system to be right. I don’t want you to put 6000 pounds on a beam level meant for 4000 pounds, I want you to have enough space for your pallets and I want your system to do its job and, above all, be safe. Lacking all the information is not just something newbies are guilty of– sometimes dealers don’t have their ducks in a row either. So, without further ado, I present to you:

The Handy Selective Pallet Rack Ordering Guide

You need to know (get out the measuring tape!):

1. Your ceiling height–and note any obstructions such as fans, sprinkler heads or light fixtures.

2. The size (depth, width and height of the load) and the weight of your pallets.

3. The number of beam levels and your vertical beam spacing, meaning how much space between the beam levels, especially the height from the floor to the first beam (this spacing affects the weight capacity of the upright frames).

4. The  length and number of runs (rows) and if they are single  rows or back-to-back rows.

5. Lift truck reach. If you already own a forklift and don’t plan on purchasing a new one, then the height of your rack will be in part determined by how high your lift can reach.

6. If you are in a seismic zone.

This is the basic information you will need to place an order for selective pallet rack. It’s really not a lot to know, but its very important to ensure your rack is safe and will perform the way its supposed to.

P.S. True story: Just minutes before posting this, I took a call.  I asked the caller for the dimensions of his pallets.  The answer? “Just the size you would need for a small warehouse.”

Fabulous Old Warehouses in Pictures

De Zwijger (‘The Silent’) Warehouse, Amsterdam, 1933. Architects: J. de Bie Leuveling Tjeenk and K. Bakker. Courtesy of The New Institute.

Warehouses of the Past

by Kim Stebbins

There is just something almost magical about old warehouses and I love them. Though many have been torn down, there are warehouses in many cities that have been converted into living, dining and retail spaces that run the gamut from shabby-but-hip to funky and fabulous and even downright luxurious. That gives me a great idea for a Pinterest board, but in this post I am curating some wonderful (and historical) warehouse photographs–I wonder what has become of them?

Lady Jane Sweetmeats Warehouse, Edinburg, 1929

Picturing Greig & Co. Builders. Lady Jane Sweetmeats Warehouse and Chalmers Garage. In the background the spire of a church is visible beside a telegraph pole. Edinburg, Scotland. Courtesy of The National Library of Scotland.

Warehouse at Water and Dock Streets, Brooklyn, 1936

Four-story brick warehouse with arched windows and doors, some of which are open, partially hiding the Yuban Coffee advertisement painted on it. Berenice Abbott– Photographer. May 22, 1936. Courtesy of New York Public Library, Photography Collection, Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs.

Warehouse probably in Woolloomooloo, Sydney, 1933

This photograph was probably taken at Woolloomooloo in Sydney during the visit of the four-masted steel barque MAGDALENE VINNEN, 1933. The barque was loaded with almost 16,000 bales of wool, the fourth largest shipment to have left Sydney, before it sailed the record-breaking 82-day voyage for Falmouth, England. Photographer: Samuel J. Hood Studio Collection. Courtesy of Australian National Maritime Museum on The Commons.

Grocers Warehouse on Broome Street, Manhattan, 1935

Two row houses are dwarfed by the Grocers Warehouse Corporation building behind it, trucks in the foreground. Berenice Abbott–Photographer. October 07, 1935. Courtesy of the New York Public Library Photography Collection, Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs.

Flooded warehouses in Cincinnati, ca. 1910-1915

Flooded warehouses Elm St. looking north, Cincinnati, Ohio, ca 1910-1915. Courtesy of George Grantham Bain Collection (Library of Congress).

Holbrook Grocery Company, Keene, New Hampshire, ca. 1900-1920

Holbrook Grocery Company, wholesale grocers, in Keene NH. Located at the corner of St. James and Gilbo Avenue, which is now a parking lot. ca. 1900-1920. Courtesy of Keene Public Library and the Historical Society of Cheshire County.

The American Warehouse, Hankow, China, ca. 1910-1915

The American Warehouse, Hankow, China ca. 1910-1915. Courtesy of George Grantham Bain Collection (Library of Congress).

Lasetter’s Ironmongery Warehouse, Sydney, 1870

Lasetter’s Ironmongery Warehouse, George Street, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1870. Courtesy of Colonial Office photographic collection held at The National Archives.

Memphis Warehouse Company, Memphis, Tennessee, ca. 1900

Memphis Warehouse Company, ca. 1900. Courtesy of Memphis Public Library & Information Center.

Warehouses on Bedford Street, Belfast, ca. 1890

The warehouses on Bedford Street are: Bryson House (1865) by WJ Barre, a former linen warehouse; Ulster Hall (1862) also by WJ Barre; the Workman Warehouse (c1865); Ewart’s Warehouse (1869) by James Hamilton. Belfast, Ireland, ca. 1890. Courtesy of National Library of Ireland.

8 Budget-Friendly Tips for Greening Up Your Warehouse

By Kim Stebbins

Did you know that buildings contribute two-thirds of the carbon footprint we’re constantly creating? Greening up your existing warehouse—using sustainable practices, products and procedures—can reduce your facility’s carbon footprint, lessen consumption and lower energy costs. Not to mention, good environmental citizenship also creates positive public relations and customer goodwill…and because it’s the right thing to do. However, going green isn’t just altruistic; it really can make dollars and sense! Many green building techniques may be more expensive in terms of initial investment, but they will quickly pay for themselves through energy cost savings.

Here are seven tips for becoming greener without going into the red:

1. Energy Efficient Lighting

Image courtesy of Pedro Lozano via Flickr Creative Commons

Replace conventional metal halide lamps with HIF (high intensity florescent), LED (light-emitting diode) or induction lighting for substantial energy savings. Though LED lights are more expensive, they produce less heat and are ideal for cold storage.

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2.  Timers, Occupancy Sensors,  Light Sensors and Dimmers

Earth Week 2010. Image courtesy of Scranton Weinberg Memorial Library via Flickr Creative Commons

Use occupancy sensors (best used with fluorescent lighting rather than with metal halides because fluorescent lights have virtually instant re-strike capabilities) in low traffic areas to trigger lights to turn on only when people are there. Use light level sensors or manual dimmers in areas that utilize natural light.

3. Skylights and Solar Light Tubes

Light tube brings in sunlight from outside. Image courtesy of Till Krech via Flickr Creative Commons.

Skylights  are an economical way to bring lots of natural daylight into your warehouse and cut electricity bills. Light tubes connect to a domed translucent or prismatic diffuser that distributes natural light evenly throughout the area without heat gain or loss. And installation does not generally involve major construction.

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4. Cool Roofs

Image courtesy of Walmart via Flickr Creative Commons

Cool Roofs are roofs consisting of materials that very effectively reflect the sun’s energy from the roof surface, thereby reducing the amount of heat absorbed into the building below. Cool roofs can also increase heating costs in winter months, but this increase is usually greatly outweighed by the energy savings achieved during summer months. While it is true that cool roofs are mostly associated with white roofs, they come in a variety of colors and materials and are available for both commercial and residential buildings.

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5. Big Ceiling Fans

Image courtesy of Peter Dutton via Flickr Creative Commons.

High-volume low-speed (HLVS) ceiling fans save energy by improving air circulation and can lower the temperature in an air-conditioned space. With diameters from 8 to 24 feet, these slow-moving fans circulate air better than smaller, higher-velocity fans. HLVS fans also reduce heating costs in winter by recirculating the warmer air near the ceilings. Though solar models are available, electrical models use very little energy.

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6. Reduce Air Infiltration

State-of-the-Art dock doors at Balzac Fresh Food Distribution Center. Image courtesy of Walmart Stores via Flickr Creative Commons.

The loading dock is one of the greatest sources of energy loss. Dock doors and levelers can become damaged by forklifts, creating gaps along the frame and compromised seals. Regularly checking and repairing gaps in seals is a quick energy saver. Consider using double-loop compression seals that attach to the door panel for a highly effective seal. If your door becomes damaged beyond repair, you might consider upgrading to a fully impactable door to keep air from escaping.

For high traffic cooler and freezer applications, insulated high speed cold storage doors will save on energy costs in the long run.

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7.  Reuse/Recycle

Apple Boxes and Pallets–Image courtesy of Liz West via Fliickr Creative Commons.

You probably reuse pallets, but consider re-using cardboard and other packing materials as well. Implementing a returnable packaging system can also be a good solution. If you increase the life of the packaging and make it easy for customers to return (e.g., collapsible packaging or perhaps pre-paid freight), the packaging can be reused many times, reducing waste and saving money.

If you can’t reuse, recycle! Sending used packaging and packing material to recycling facilities rather than waste facilities is the environmentally correct thing to do.

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8.  Galvanized Steel

Image courtesy of Lonnon Foster via Flickr Creative Commons.

Whenever possible, opt for galvanized steel in your warehouse. Unlike painted finishes, which absorb light, galvanized steel is light reflective and can really brighten the warehouse, allowing you to use less artificial lighting.  Galvanized steel is also 100% recyclable.

Did you know? Galvanized steel base plates and braces are standard on all Next Level  pallet rack uprights; however, all  upright components are available in galvanized steel by special order.

For more information about Next Level material handling products, visit our website.

Click on images to view sources.

Fun With Pallets! (Reusing, Recycling, Repurposing & DIY)

Courtesy of Mike McCaffrey

By Kim Stebbins

Creative Ways to Repurpose Used Shipping Pallets

I can’t take credit for these great DIY pallet projects and the pictures of them in this post, but the idea for it was due to four factors:

1. Green–I  have an honest and  sincere interest in green warehousing and sustainability–which naturally includes reusing and recycling.
2. Pinterest–I often contribute to Next Level’s boards and I am secretly addicted to it.
3. Arts and Crafts–I have an Artsy-Craftsy-DIY appetite that rarely gets satisfied these days (because I work too much–hear the violins?)–that’s where the repurposing comes in.
4. The Internet–I love the internet–such a great way to quickly and easily discover all kinds of interesting, useful and sharable tidbits. Even though my law-student son very recently posted this on My Wall: “Mother, it is time for you to quit the Internets…” (all I did was tag him in an adorable PBS  Digital Studios remix of Julia Child tapes called “Keep on Cooking“–is that so bad? And when did The Internet become plural? I threatened to unfriend him–right there on my wall–but that’s another story…)

The DIY-Green-Reuse-Recycle-Repurpose the Pallet light-bulb started like this: Recently, as I was happily pinning away on Pinterest, I decided to create a new board for Next Level (there are only so many material handling boards you can create before you have to start thinking outside of the box). I named my new board, “Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose,” without any real clear notion of where I was going with it.

The next thing I knew, I was finding the most amazing uses for wooden pallets–did you know you can even build a real house from them? There are hundreds of very creative ideas for repurposing used pallets (which are just downright cheap or even free)–on blogs, DYI sites, Eco-Green sites, and, of course, on  Pinterest. Where have I been and why haven’t I thought of this?

If you are an ecological DYIer who enjoys turning trash into treasure and saving money to boot, I  promise you will become hooked on pallet repurposing. Even if you don’t have time to actually create a pallet masterpiece, at least you can have a ton of fun just thinking about how you might do it someday.  Here are a few of my favorites:

The Pallet Bed

Platform bed made of free pallets and $3 worth of hardware.

This Shipping Pallet Bed is featured in the Apartment Therapy post “Nick and Rachel’s Creative Warehouse in the Loft.” The creative and green couple’s proudest DYI? “Definitely our pallet bed. We salvaged pallets from the neighborhood and created a lovely platform bed with a simple design and little more than $3 in hardware.” (Well, they are both artists, so they managed to make it look really beautiful in their artsy NYC digs–but seriously, how many people could really pull this off?)

 Pallet Staircase

Pallet Stairs in a Pallet Office

Check out this Pallet Office at Curbly.com–it was designed as a temporary office for an ad agency. Though I thought the pallet tables, desks and benches were very clever, I was most impressed with these amazing Pallet Stairs.

Pallet Chill Out Room

A tiered pallets sofa/daybed is perfect for a home theater.

An abandoned warehouse in Brazil becomes a “chill out space” for employees of  a sports marketing company, complete with a home theater with seating and more, made from–you guessed it–pallets!  Head over to Treehugger.com for the rest of the story. (Do you have a “chill out space” at your office? Tell the boss you want one and you know a totally cheap way to make it–flat screen excluded.)

Pallet Playhouse

Using free pallets, this playhouse only cost about $200 to make.

For step by step instructions with a lot of explanatory  pictures, go to Instructables.com and learn how to make this adorable Pallet Playhouse. With the free pallets pilfered from his work, the author spent about $200 in all, excluding his labor.  If you have ever purchased a playhouse, you know that is a real bargain (though I have never known a kid to play in one more than five times, so if you have a lot of extra time on your hands after working all day and taking care of the children, go for it!)

Pallet Garden

A Vertical Pallet Garden

I discovered on Pinterest that pallets lend themselves to all kinds of  gardeny applications (gardeny is not really a word, according to Spell Check–but according to them, Pinterest isn’t a word either). I am rather enamored with the vertical garden, which really shows off the humble pallet origins. I did find out that if you plan to eat what you grow in a pallet, don’t use a pallet that has been fumigated with pesticides. Get one that has been heat-treated instead. I assume that means you will have to purchase a new one to know for sure, but hey, even new pallets  are pretty economical (though that negates the whole RRR premise of this post).

Click here to read a great a blog post on how to steal used pallets and craft your own vertical pallet garden (the upshot is, when you see some used pallets lying around, “…if  it looks good, run your happy ass out there and take it. Take gloves to avoid splinters).  I would avoid planting edibles.

Pallet House

A house made almost entirely from pallets.

Pallet houses are for real. This just happens to be my favorite. It’s pushing the envelope a bit to call this DIY, unless the Yourself part happens to be a builder. This incredible Paletten Haus was designed by two students from the University of Vienna and won the 2008 GAUDI European Student Competition on Sustainable Architecture. Thanks to Inhabitat.com for sharing this beautiful and amazing structure. Click on the Paletten Haus link to see more–it’s worth it!

Pallet Floor

Upcycled Pallet Floor via Arctic Plank

Not quite your regular old backyard DIY project, but WOW! According to the Arctic Plank website:

Arctic Plank manufactures high quality recycled wood flooring on demand. With our unique handling method we transform salvaged lumber, wooden pallets or timber into unique wooden flooring or any other product for that matter.

Arctic Plank’s main product is the wooden pallet hardwood floor. Quite impressive!

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I am truly amazed at all the creative uses that abound for used pallets. Thanks to the “internets,”  I have had quite an enjoyable journey into a combined world of material handling, creativity, recycling, and social media. Google “pallet repurposing” and you will find so much more: pallet coffee tables, pallet chandeliers, pallet dining tables and china cabinets–the list goes on. Or just log on to Pinterest and search “pallets”–you will be amazed! You might even get hooked.

PS. I think I heard a commentator on NPR (I’m addicted to that too) say “internets” so I am going to google that right now to find out if I have missed out on something. BRB…

PSS. Ok, I’m back from the Internets and this is what I found out from Wikipedia:

“Internets” is a Bushism-turned-catchphrase used humorously to portray the speaker as ignorant about the Internet or about technology in general, or as having a provincial or folksy attitude toward technology.

O.M.G. My son was totally making fun of me!  That is so wrong. I birthed him (24 hours labor!), changed his diapers, breast-fed him for a full year, bought him his first computer in 1992 (he was four!).  He was the first in his group to even have access to the internets–the list goes on…

 Visit our website to learn about Next Level material handling products.

Gravity Conveyor Basics

What is a Gravity Conveyor?

Non-powered conveyor is the simplest form of conveyor that uses gravity to keep products moving. Gravity conveyors offer a green, affordable way to transport packages distances that they cannot be carried. Portable sections of non-powered conveyor are often used for loading packages  on to and off trucks. Gravity conveyor can also serve as takeaway conveyor for cartons coming out of an automated sorter, and it’s often used in workstations and pick modules where employees complete their tasks and then push their work along to the next zone or station.

Gravity conveyors can be installed on the horizontal or can also be set up with declining stand heights to allow product to flow from a high to a lower elevation. Though much less expensive than power conveyors, the force of the flow cannot be controlled.

The two most common types of non-powered conveyor are skate wheel and roller.  Skate wheel gravity conveyor is a good choice for light packages that have a firm bottom.

Only a little energy is needed to turn the small wheels of a skatewheel conveyor, and that makes skatewheel good at maintaining the speed of a product. Because each wheel turns independently, skatewheel conveyor is also a good choice for the curved sections of a conveyor line and can complement light duty gravity or power conveyors.

Skate wheel curves allow boxes to stay oriented.

Skate wheel gravity conveyors can only be used for packages with flat surfaces that do not have soft bottoms. Though there are several skate wheel patterns, there should always be a minimum of ten wheels under a box. The wheels can be made of galvanized aluminum, galvanized steel or even plastic.

Gravity roller conveyors are more suited to heavier loads than skatewheel. It is commonly used for workstations and pick modules because it provides a better working surface and is often less expensive than skate wheel conveyor. It’s also good at slowing the inertia of products coming out of a high-speed sorter. Rollers are recommended for uneven, open, or rimmed bottom packages. They have spring-loaded axles for easy removal & replacement. Unlike skate wheel conveyors, the product should never be wider than the rollers. Use at least three rollers under a product at any given time.

Curved roller sections can have straight rollers or tapered rollers. Tapered roller curves allow the packages to maintain better orientation through the curve; whereas packages on a straight roller may not exit the curve in the same position they entered.

Both types of gravity conveyor can be used alone or in conjunction with power conveyor to form a complete system.

Next Level manufactures galvanized steel gravity conveyor to meet the most demanding warehouse environments.
For more information about Next Level material handling products, visit our website.

Cantilever Rack Basics

What is a Cantilever Rack?

Quite simply, a cantilever is a beam anchored at only one end. Cantilever Rack, sometimes called pipe rack or lumber rack is typically used for storing long, narrow items.  Furniture rack is a type of cantilever rack that has decking added to provide storage similar to pallet racking, but with a full clear shelf that can be loaded from the front without obstruction from rack support uprights. This is excellent for the storage and retrieval of  large, bulky items such as furniture and mattresses.

Cantilever Rack, available in roll-formed steel and structural steel, is composed of horizontal load carrying arms extending from vertical columns or uprights.  The lack of a vertical support on the ends of the arms permits uninterrupted storage of long lengths of material. Like pallet rack, cantilever can be connected  to create rows of storage.

The upright columns of the cantilever racking system are the primary structural components and are available as single or double-sided. Bases are often sold separately, with the base length determined by the arm length and the weight load.

Like pallet rack beams, cantilever arms make up the shelf levels and are usually adjustable to create levels at the desired heights.  Arms can be straight or inclined–the straight arms are generally used for storing stable loads such as lumber and sheet metal; inclined arms are generally used for cylindrical objects or loads that tend to roll, such as pipes.  Some manufacturers offer an optional lip that attaches to the end of the arm to prevent loads from rolling off  the rack.

Horizontal braces go between the upright columns to stabilize the rack system. They are sold in sets rather than individually and are either straight braces or X braces. The X braces are used to increase the stability of taller rack, usually over 15 feet tall. The number of sets needed is determined by the upright height.

Configuring cantilever rack:  It is best to contact a material handling professional to help you configure your cantilever rack system, but you will need to know the length, depth, height and weight of the products being stored.  To determine the number of arms needed to safely hold the load being stored, there is a simple test you can do to ensure you have enough arms to prevent load deflection. Place your load on two evenly spaced wooden blocks (to represent the arms)* and if no deflection is  present,  a two arm system will suffice. If there is too much deflection, add a third block and so on, until there is no deflection.

*The load should overhang the end arms by one-half the distance from upright center-line to upright center-line.

You also need to know your ceiling height and lift truck reach for determining the maximum height of your cantilever rack. And don’t forget to include information about anything that could interfere with the rack, such as sprinklers and lighting.

Next Level produces roll formed and structural steel cantilever rack that can withstand the toughest environments and applications.

For more information about Next Level material handling products, visit our website.

“Green Up” Your Warehouse–Do the Right Thing and Save Money, Too

A sunflower blooms in front of the solar array at Sterling College, in Craftsbury, Vermont.

Good Reasons to Make Your Facility Environmentally Sustainable

Is your facility environmentally sustainable? Using environmentally focused procedures is not only socially responsible, it can save your company money as well. Aside from the obvious benefits of eliminating waste and reducing energy consumption, here are some other reasons to green up:

• Growing consumer demand for greener products and company practices drives sales; given a choice, most consumers pick the greener option.
• Suppliers are increasingly requiring sustainable practices of their vendors.
• Social responsibility and environmental stewardship create positive public relations   which in turn yield benefits.
• Federal and state tax incentives are available to companies that employ sustainable practices.
• In many areas of the world, sustainable practices are mandated by law, and the trend is growing rapidly. Get ahead of the game!
• Many aspects of sustainable practices in the supply chain are related to greater productivity, which is always a goal in supply chain management.

To find out about available tax credits and incentives, go to the free online Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE), a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility and federal incentives that promotes renewable energy and energy efficiency.

For more information about Next Level material handling products, visit our website.

Photograph courtesy of Sterling College via Flickr Creative Commons. Click on image to view source.