Cantilever racking is a popular and versatile solution for storing long, heavy, or awkward items. Despite its many benefits, there are several misconceptions about cantilever racking that can lead businesses to make misguided decisions about their warehouse storage. In this article, we’ll address these common myths and explain why they’re not true.
1. Cantilever Racking is Only for Lumber or Pipes
One of the most persistent misconceptions about cantilever racking is that it’s only suited for storing long, bulky materials like lumber, pipes, or steel bars. While it’s true that cantilever racks are ideal for these items due to their ability to accommodate long loads, they are also perfect for a wide range of other products. Cantilever racks can be used to store furniture, rolled products, electronics, or even oversized items such as mattresses and carpets. The design of cantilever racking allows for flexible and efficient storage, making it applicable to many different industries.
Why It’s Not True: Cantilever racking is incredibly versatile. The adjustable arms can be set at various heights, allowing for efficient storage of items of different lengths and sizes. This flexibility makes cantilever racking a great choice for almost any warehouse, regardless of the products being stored.
2. Cantilever Racking is Too Expensive
Many businesses shy away from cantilever racking because they believe it is too expensive compared to other storage systems like pallet racks or shelving units. While it’s true that cantilever racking might have a higher initial cost than basic shelving or traditional racking, it’s essential to consider the long-term savings and advantages it offers.
Why It’s Not True: Cantilever racking is designed to maximize storage capacity in warehouses with limited floor space. It eliminates the need for cumbersome aisleways or multiple rows of shelving, freeing up valuable warehouse space. By making better use of vertical space, businesses can increase storage density and reduce overhead costs, ultimately leading to higher operational efficiency and profitability. Moreover, the durability of cantilever racking means it can provide a long lifespan with minimal maintenance, making it a cost-effective investment over time.
3. Cantilever Racking Takes Up Too Much Floor Space
Some warehouse managers are concerned that cantilever racks will take up too much floor space because of the long arms protruding from the columns. This myth often leads them to overlook the efficiency of cantilever racking when compared to other systems that require larger aisles or more complex configurations.
Why It’s Not True: In reality, cantilever racking is a space-saving solution because it uses vertical space more effectively. By storing items off the ground and allowing for direct access to products, cantilever racks reduce the need for wide aisles and increase the usable space in a warehouse. Since they don’t require a lot of additional structures like beams or supports, cantilever racks can maximize the storage capacity in tight spaces.
4. Cantilever Racking is Difficult to Adjust
Another common misconception is that cantilever racking is difficult to adjust or reconfigure as needs change. Some warehouse operators believe that making modifications to the system, such as changing the height of the arms or adjusting the configuration to accommodate different types of products, would be time-consuming and challenging.
Why It’s Not True: One of the main benefits of cantilever racking is its flexibility. The arms and supports can be easily adjusted without requiring specialized tools or extensive downtime. The design of modern cantilever racks includes a user-friendly system that allows adjustments to be made quickly and with minimal effort, ensuring that storage requirements can evolve as inventory or product types change.
5. Cantilever Racking is Not Safe for Heavy Loads
Some people worry that cantilever racking is not suitable for heavy loads, especially when compared to more traditional shelving or pallet racking systems. They may assume that the cantilever arms, which are typically longer and more exposed than traditional racking beams, cannot safely support the weight of heavy items.
Why It’s Not True: Cantilever racking is engineered with durability in mind. The arms and columns are made of strong, high-quality materials that are capable of supporting substantial weights. Many cantilever systems are rated for heavy-duty applications and can hold much more than they might initially appear to. The racking system can also be customized with reinforced arms and other safety features to meet specific load requirements, ensuring the safety of both employees and the stored products.
6. Cantilever Racking is Hard to Access
Another misconception is that the design of cantilever racking makes it difficult to access stored items, particularly for those who have to retrieve products stored high up on the arms. Some warehouse workers believe that the racks are too deep or that the open-ended arms make it difficult to retrieve products easily.
Why It’s Not True: Cantilever racking provides easy access to items due to its open, unobstructed design. The lack of vertical obstructions like crossbars or posts makes it easy for forklifts, pallet jacks, or cranes to access products quickly. Items are stored on the arms in such a way that they can be loaded and unloaded from either side of the rack, increasing the speed and efficiency of inventory management.
7. Cantilever Racking Requires Special Equipment
Some people believe that using cantilever racking requires specialized equipment, such as custom forklifts or handling tools, which can make it a less viable option for certain businesses. This is a common concern, especially among smaller companies or those with limited budgets.
Why It’s Not True: Cantilever racking works with standard warehouse equipment. Forklifts, pallet jacks, and cranes that are already used in most warehouses are fully compatible with cantilever racking systems. The open design allows easy loading and unloading of products, and no special equipment is required to handle the inventory.
Conclusion
Cantilever racking is a highly versatile, cost-effective, and space-efficient solution for many warehouses, but misconceptions about its use and capabilities often lead businesses to dismiss it prematurely. By dispelling these myths, it becomes clear that cantilever racking can be a valuable asset for industries across the board. Its ability to store long and heavy items, maximize space, and adapt to changing needs makes it a smart investment for any business looking to optimize its storage and improve operational efficiency.