Welcome to the Cantilever Rack Buying Guide
United Rack Solutions, located at 600 Henry Circle, Sinking Spring, PA, presents this comprehensive guide to cantilever racking systems. Ideal for warehouse managers and business owners across PA, NY, and all 50 states, it covers system types, components, accessories, design considerations, and safety practices to optimise your storage for long, bulky, or irregular items.
For expert advice or a custom quote, call us at (610) 757-0011 or request a quote below.
Request a Quote
What Is Cantilever Racking?
Cantilever racking is a robust and versatile storage solution specifically engineered for housing long, bulky, or irregularly shaped items that pose challenges for conventional pallet racking systems. Its defining feature is the use of upright columns extending with horizontal arms — providing unobstructed access to stored materials.
This design significantly enhances operational efficiency and reduces the risk of damage during the handling of goods. Often referred to as lumber racks, pipe racks, or furniture racks, cantilever systems are ideally suited for PVC pipes, steel bars, aluminium extrusions, large furniture pieces, and other oversized items — available from United Rack Solutions in Sinking Spring, PA, serving PA, NY, and all 50 states.
Types of Cantilever Racking Systems
United Rack Solutions provides a comprehensive range of cantilever racking systems — each engineered to meet specific storage requirements and warehouse layouts across PA, NY, and nationwide.
Structural Cantilever
Heavy-duty, made from hot-rolled steel — ideal for very heavy loads, automated systems, or outdoor use with a canopy. Highly durable against forklift impacts in busy warehouses.
Roll-Formed Cantilever
Lighter and cost-effective, made from cold-rolled steel — suitable for lighter loads in standard warehouse environments. Less resistant to heavy forklift damage.
Double-Sided Cantilever
Accessible from both sides — perfect for creating aisles in warehouses for efficient loading and unloading of long, bulky materials.
Single-Sided Cantilever
Placed against walls, accessible from one side — with larger bases to prevent tipping under heavy loads. Ideal for warehouse perimeter storage.
Furniture Cantilever Racks
Designed with wider bases and potentially padded arms to safely store and display furniture items without damage in retail and warehouse environments.
Pipe & Bar Cantilever Racks
Engineered with pipe cradles or end stops to securely store cylindrical items — pipes, tubes, and bars — in manufacturing plants and warehouse storage areas.
Cantilever Rack Components
Uprights and Bases
Vertical columns with bolted or welded bases for stability. Available in single or double-sided configurations, with punch holes every 3″ for arm attachment — compatible with all major cantilever racking systems.
Arms
Horizontal supports available as straight (with slight pitch) or inclined. Secured with hairpin keepers, with optional lips to prevent roll-off of pipes, bars, and lumber.
Bracing
Structural channel members that bolt uprights together, providing lateral stability. Typically in sets of two or three, depending on cantilever upright height and load requirements.
Cantilever Rack Accessories
Enhance your cantilever system with accessories for improved safety, organisation, and functionality across PA, NY, and nationwide:
Wire Deck
Creates a flat, ventilated surface for small or irregular items on cantilever arms — improves NFPA 13 sprinkler compliance.
Solid Deck
Heavy-duty steel pan for sheet goods and furniture panels on cantilever rack arms in high-capacity warehouse setups.
Removable Pipe End Stops
Prevents pipes or bars from rolling off the cantilever arms — essential for safe pipe rack and bar storage.
Bolt-On Pipe Sockets
Quickly add stop pins or saddles to your cantilever arms — no welding needed. Fast retrofit for any existing cantilever racking system.
Canopy / Roof Brackets
Add a weather shield for outdoor lumber racks and steel yards — protecting inventory from rain, UV, and the elements.
Arm Color Coding
Visually separate weight classes or inventory zones on your cantilever rack arms — improves warehouse safety and picking accuracy.
Designing Your Cantilever Racking System
Careful planning is essential for a safe and efficient cantilever racking system. Below are critical factors for warehouse managers to consider across PA, NY, and nationwide:
Arm Length and Count
Arm length should match or exceed product depth. Calculate arm count by dividing total load weight by the number of arms, respecting each arm's capacity. Overhang should be half the distance between upright centrelines.
Upright Height
Determine height based on forklift capacity and building height using the formula: (number of arms × arm height) + base height + (load height + 4–6″ clearance × number of levels) + 4″ above top arm. Add extra height for back support if needed.
Bracing Requirements
Use X-brace panels in end bays and alternate interior bays, with horizontal braces for stability. Brace length is centre-to-centre of uprights. Consult the table below for requirements based on column height.
| Column Height | X-Braces | Straight Braces |
|---|---|---|
| 8′ | 2 | 0 |
| 10′–12′ | 3 | 1 |
| 14′–16′ | 3 | 2 |
Base and Upright Connection
Choose bolted uprights for easier assembly or welded for enhanced stability. Ensure bases are sufficiently robust to prevent tipping — especially critical for single-sided cantilever rack units.
Cantilever Rack Safety and Maintenance
Maintaining a safe and efficient warehouse environment is paramount when using cantilever racking systems. United Rack Solutions emphasises the following safety guidelines and maintenance tips across PA, NY, and nationwide.
Safety Guidelines
- Uniformly Distributed Loads (UDLs): Distribute weight evenly across cantilever arms to prevent stress and potential failure.
- Forklift Training: Ensure all forklift operators are thoroughly trained on navigating and loading/unloading cantilever racks to avoid collisions.
- Regular Inspections: Conduct routine checks (at least monthly) for any signs of damage — dents, bends, or loose fasteners — adhering to OSHA standards.
- Environmental Considerations: When installing cantilever racks outdoors or in seismic zones, ensure the system is appropriately specified and anchored.
Maintenance Tips
- Inspect for Damage: Immediately replace any damaged components, including bent arms or cracked uprights.
- Secure Connections: Regularly verify and tighten all bolts and ensure that bracing is securely in place on your cantilever racking.
- Clean Racks: Keep the cantilever rack system free of debris to prevent corrosion — particularly important for outdoor lumber rack installations.
- Professional Installation: Engage certified professionals for initial assembly and any significant modifications to ensure structural integrity.
Contact us at (610) 757-0011 for comprehensive safety audits or maintenance support.
Request a Safety ConsultationDetermining Cantilever Rack Weight Capacities
Understanding the weight-bearing capabilities of your cantilever rack system is crucial for safe and effective warehouse storage. Load capacity is determined by several factors:
- Arm Capacity: Each cantilever arm is designed to support a specific portion of the load. Divide the total weight of items on a level by the number of support arms on that level. For example, an 8,000 lb load on 3 arms requires each arm to be rated for at least 2,666 lbs.
- Tower Capacity: The total weight a single upright tower can support is calculated by multiplying arm capacity by total number of arms per tower. For a double-sided cantilever rack with 12 arms per side rated at 2,666 lbs across 3 towers: each tower must support at least (12 × 2,666) ÷ 3 = 10,664 lbs.
- Important Note: Items stored directly on the base of the upright do not contribute to the calculation of the tower's arm-based weight capacity.
Standard cantilever arm capacities typically range from 500 to 2,000 lbs, with options for higher capacities. Never exceed the rated capacity of the arms to prevent potential damage or failure.
💡 Pro Tip: Always place items so the weight is evenly distributed across the cantilever arms. Ensure the load does not overhang more than half the distance to the next upright, and never exceed the arm's rated weight capacity to prevent dangerous deflection or failure.
Ready to Optimise Your Warehouse?
Contact United Rack Solutions at 600 Henry Circle, Sinking Spring, PA for custom cantilever racking solutions or safety consultations. Call (610) 757-0011 or request a quote today — serving PA, NY, NJ, MD, DE, and all 50 states.
Get a QuoteNeed more details? Request More Info