If all items entering or leaving your warehouse are of a standard size that easily fits on a pallet, that’s excellent. However, this isn’t the case for many warehouses and distribution centers.
Cantilever racking has been the traditional choice for storing long, irregularly shaped items. However, determining the actual capacity of these racks remains a challenge for many warehouses.
This brief yet comprehensive guide aims to help you understand how to calculate cantilever rack capacity accurately. Keep reading to learn more.
Cantilever Rack Capacity: Getting It Right is Critical
Why is it important to understand the load capacity of cantilever racking? There are two main reasons.
Firstly, determining capacity is crucial for ensuring the overall safety of your warehouse. While this might seem obvious, it’s important to emphasize: overloading or improperly loading your cantilever racking can lead to rack failure and objects falling. This not only damages the stored products but also poses a serious risk to your employees’ safety.
The second reason is efficiency. If you fail to maximize the use of your cantilever racking, you may end up wasting both floor and vertical space by needing additional racking. Moreover, unnecessarily dispersing items across multiple rack sections decreases picking and loading efficiency. All these factors can significantly impact your bottom line.
Factors That Affect Cantilever Rack Load Capacity
Certain components of cantilever racks feature load capacities indicated by the manufacturer. While this serves as a starting point, these figures are estimates due to numerous factors influencing the actual load-bearing capacity of the racking system. Below, we outline some key factors affecting the weight capacity of cantilever racks.
Load Distribution
It’s crucial to evenly distribute loads across the cantilever racking system. Uneven loading can significantly reduce overall capacity, sometimes by up to 50%. When considering load distribution, account for different levels of the racking and, if applicable, both sides of double-sided cantilever racks.
Arm Capacity
While a standard 48X4 cantilever arm typically supports around 2,000 pounds, the specific arm dimensions don’t provide an exact capacity for the entire system. Factors such as the material (structural or roll-formed steel) influence the actual capacity. Roll-formed steel arms are generally lighter duty, potentially reducing the capacity below the benchmark, whereas structural steel arms may offer higher capacity.
Column Spacing
The number of columns in the cantilever system affects its strength, with each column bearing a portion of the load and providing additional support. Proper column spacing is essential, particularly when storing long items like lumber or PVC pipe, to prevent reduced capacity and potential damage to stored items.
Cantilever Rack Height
Utilizing vertical space can enhance efficiency and save floor space, especially in warehouses with high ceilings or outdoor installations. However, taller systems may have lower capacity per arm or row, necessitating reinforcement or reconfiguration to maintain total load capacity.
Flooring
Cantilever racks rest on a base anchored to the warehouse floor, typically made of concrete. The thickness and condition of the concrete slab influence the overall capacity of the racking system. Additionally, ensuring the floor is perfectly level is essential for stability and accommodating heavier loads. If the floor isn’t level, it must be squared up before installing the racking.
📚 Also Read: What Causes a Warehouse Storage Rack Collapse and How to Prevent It?
Determining Weight Capacity for a Used Cantilever Rack
What if you purchase a pre-owned cantilever rack without knowing its weight-bearing capacity? This is a frequent occurrence since used systems often lack the detailed information provided with new cantilever racking.
To address this issue, we examine the stamps on the racking components. These stamps often contain numbers that allow us to access capacity information. Occasionally, the capacity of a cantilever arm may be directly stamped onto it, though this is less common and typically requires further investigation.
In cases where no stamps or additional information are available, it may still be possible to estimate the rack’s capacity, but this often requires the expertise of an engineer.
How to Increase Cantilever Rack Capacity
Cantilever racks are designed to support heavy and irregular loads, but what should you do if you require a system that can accommodate more weight than its current capacity allows? You have a few alternatives. Firstly, you can modify or expand the system to enhance its capacity. This may involve adding arms and lowering the system’s height, which can enhance capacity in certain scenarios.
Another common method for increasing the capacity of cantilever racks is by incorporating cross bracing. These X-shaped steel braces connect the cantilever columns, bolstering the overall strength of the system.
FAQ’s
How do I know if my warehouse needs cantilever racking?
Cantilever racking is ideal for warehouses and distribution centers dealing with long or irregularly shaped items that don’t fit standard pallet sizes. If your inventory includes such items, cantilever racking could be a suitable storage solution.
Can I rely solely on manufacturer-provided load capacities for cantilever racks?
While manufacturer-provided load capacities serve as a starting point, they are estimates and may not fully account for all factors affecting the rack’s capacity. It’s essential to consider additional factors outlined in the guide to accurately determine load capacity.
What are the risks of overloading or improperly loading cantilever racking?
Overloading or improperly loading cantilever racking can lead to rack failure and objects falling, posing significant safety risks to employees and potentially damaging stored products.
How can I increase the capacity of my existing cantilever rack system?
There are several options for increasing the capacity of cantilever rack systems, including re-configuring or expanding the system, adding arms, lowering the system’s height, or incorporating cross bracing for additional strength.
What should I do if I purchase a used cantilever rack without knowing its capacity?
If you acquire a pre-owned cantilever rack without capacity information, inspect the stamps on the racking components for capacity numbers. Alternatively, seek assistance from an engineer to estimate the rack’s capacity if no information is available.
Are there specific considerations for column spacing in cantilever rack systems?
Proper column spacing is crucial for maintaining the strength and capacity of cantilever rack systems, especially when storing long items like lumber or PVC pipe. Inadequate column spacing can result in reduced capacity and potential damage to stored items.
Conclusion
Understanding the load capacity of cantilever racking is crucial for warehouse safety and efficiency. Overloading or improper loading can lead to hazards and financial losses. By considering factors like load distribution, arm capacity, and column spacing, managers can optimize rack capacity. Whether acquiring used racks or enhancing existing systems, careful inspection and modifications can maximize efficiency and mitigate risks, ultimately benefiting the bottom line.