Cantilever Racking | Cantilever Storage Racks| Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Industrial Pallet Rack & Equipment® Inc.

2719 NW 30th Avenue, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33311 (954) 205-4071

Cantilever racking is multi-level, high-density storage racks designed to handle hundreds of different types and sizes of products with freedom from column or upright interference.
















Design Your Cantilever Rack System

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"As with every other racking storage solution, getting it right is understanding the load!"

Knowing What Will Be On The Shelves

In order to have a safe and efficient cantilever rack system, it is first important to think about what will be stored, the size of the load (Length, Depth & Height), and the weight capacity necessary to support your load. Whether you’re storing furniture, steel bars, pipe, lumber, or a different long and heavy item. These instructions will help you determine what you need.

First Step - Measure the Size of the Load
Start by measuring the height, depth, and length of the load. If your load consists of multiple components, take into account thev entire unit load and not just a portion of the load.

Second Step - Determine the Number of Arms Needed and Spacing Of The Arms
Preventing load deflection is what determines the number and spacing of arms. The load must be supported by enough arms to prevent load deflection. Deflection may cause damage to the load being stored as well as the arms. To do quickly and inexpensively test by placing the load over two wooden blocks representing two cantilever arms. Place half the length of the load between the “arms” with the remaining half divided evenly at the ends as an overhang. If deflection is not present it is acceptable to use a two arm cantilever system as long as this does not create an overload condition. If you are seeing deflection, try again with three “arms” with 1/3 of the load between the "arms" and 1/6 of the load length at the two ends, or you could go to four "arms" with 1/4 of the load between the "arms" and 1/8 of the load length at each end arms by 1/2 the distance from upright centerline to upright centerline.

IMPORTANT: The load must overhang the end "arms" by 1/2 the distance from upright centerline to upright centerline.

Determine the Number of Arms Needed and Spacing Of The Arms


Third Step - Determine the Length of the Cantilever Arms
The loads "Depth"/"Width" can NEVER be greater than the arms length. Example: 96"x 48" plywood lumber would require a 48" arm length. A bundle of PVC Pipe 24" wide x 120" long would require an arm length of at least 24". Rated arm capacities may be seriously diminished if proper loading techniques are not followed. Figures B1, B2, B3 illustrate the correct and incorrect arm loading.

IMPORTANT: The load must overhang the end "arms" by 1/2 the distance from upright centerline to upright centerline.

 Determine the Length of the Cantilever Arms


Fourth Step - Determine the Height of the Cantilever Uprights
As with other rack types, to determine the necessary height for the uprights by considering ceiling height, lift truck reach, and any other items that may interfere with the top of your racking. These measurements must include the actual load height and necessary clearance. This can include sprinklers, ceiling joists and lighting, among other things. Remember Local Building Codes that may affect the total height. The height of the Upright in Figure C1 is determined by adding the base height, the number of loads to be stored, the arm thickness plus 6" clearance between the load and the next arm.

Be sure to also determine the necessary distance between levels by considering the clearance needed between the top of the load and the bottom of the next shelf. These measurements include the actual load height, the clearance between the top of the load and the bottom of the next shelf (6" is recommended), the height of the arms and the height of the base. These measurements will tell you the upright height necessary as well as the number of arms needed for the levels.

Notice in the figure that a load has been placed directly on the base. This is not only acceptable, it is recommended and does not diminish the capacity of the upright. A commonly recommended practice is to place your heaviest load on the base because it doesn't subtract from the overall upright capacity.


Determine the Height of the Cantilever Uprights

Fifth Step - Determining Cantilever Shelf Weight Capacities
In a properly loaded cantilever rack, each arm supports an equal part of the load's weight. Determine the necessary arm capacity by first determining the number of arms needed to hold the load and divide the load's weight by that number. This number is the individual arm weight capacity. In figure 16 below, there are three arms supporting an equal part of a 6,000-pound load. This would give you a needed arm capacity of 2,000 pounds.

To determine upright capacity, simply multiply the number of arms per side by the load on each arm. This will give you the upright capacity. In figure D1 below, since there are four arms each holding a weight of 2,000 pounds, the required minimum capacity of the upright would be 8,000 pounds.


IMPORTANT: Loads placed on the base do not affect the capacity of the upright so the heaviest load should be placed on the bases.

Determine Arm And Upright Capacities

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