Cantilever racks are a popular storage solution for long, bulky, and oversized materials that can be difficult to store on traditional pallet racking. Lumber, pipe, tubing, steel, furniture, carpet, and other long products can be stored efficiently on cantilever racks while keeping materials accessible.
One of the most important considerations when selecting a cantilever rack is capacity. Understanding how cantilever rack capacity is calculated can help you choose the right system for your materials and storage requirements.
What Is Cantilever Rack Capacity?
Cantilever rack capacity refers to the maximum amount of weight a rack can safely support under specified conditions. Unlike standard shelving, cantilever racks are designed with a vertical column and horizontal arms that extend outward to support loads.
Capacity can be affected by several factors, including:
- Upright height
- Number of arms
- Arm length
- Distance between uprights
- Load distribution
- Material being stored
- Rack configuration
- Single- or double-sided design
Because these factors can vary between rack systems, there is no single capacity that applies to every cantilever rack.
How Is Cantilever Rack Capacity Rated?
Cantilever rack capacity is typically provided as a per-arm capacity or a per-level capacity, depending on the manufacturer and rack design.
For example, if a rack arm is rated to hold a certain amount of weight, the total capacity of a storage level depends on how many arms are supporting the load and how the weight is distributed.
It is important to understand exactly how a manufacturer's capacity rating is stated before determining how much material a rack can hold.
Never assume that the capacity of one arm automatically represents the capacity of an entire rack. Always follow the manufacturer's published load ratings and installation requirements.
Why Load Distribution Matters
How you place materials on a cantilever rack can have a major impact on its performance.
Loads should generally be distributed across multiple arms rather than concentrated in one location. A long piece of material extending across several arms can distribute its weight more evenly than a concentrated load placed on a single arm.
For example, storing bundles of pipe across multiple arms may provide a more balanced load than placing the entire weight of the bundle toward the end of one arm.
Proper load distribution helps maintain rack stability and allows the system to perform as designed.
Arm Length Affects Capacity
The length of the cantilever arm is another important consideration.
Longer arms provide more storage depth, but the amount of weight an arm can support may change as arm length increases. This is one reason it is important to select a cantilever rack based on both the size and weight of the materials you plan to store.
When ordering a system, consider:
- How deep the material is
- How far the material will extend from the upright
- The weight of each load
- How many arms will support each load
Choosing the appropriate arm length and capacity ensures the rack is suited to the application.
Upright Capacity Is Important Too
Cantilever rack capacity isn't determined by the arms alone. The vertical uprights are responsible for supporting the arms and transferring the load to the base.
The height and configuration of the upright can affect the overall capacity of the rack. A taller rack, for example, may have different capacity characteristics than a shorter rack.
When designing a cantilever storage system, the uprights, arms, bases, and overall configuration should be considered together rather than selecting components based on capacity individually.
Single-Sided vs. Double-Sided Cantilever Racks
Cantilever racks are available in both single- and double-sided configurations.
Single-sided racks have arms extending from one side of the upright and are commonly placed against a wall or along the edge of a storage area.
Double-sided racks have arms extending from both sides of the upright, allowing materials to be stored on either side.
The configuration you choose should depend on your available floor space, access requirements, and the type and quantity of materials you need to store.
How to Determine the Right Cantilever Rack Capacity
Before purchasing a cantilever rack, start by identifying the materials you plan to store.
Consider:
- Maximum load weight – Determine the heaviest load you expect to place on the rack.
- Load dimensions – Measure the length, width, and depth of the materials.
- Number of loads – Determine how many individual loads will be stored on each level.
- Arm length – Select an arm length that provides enough support for the materials.
- Rack height – Consider how many storage levels you need.
- Load distribution – Determine how the weight will be distributed across the arms.
- Available space – Account for aisle space and access to stored materials.
Providing this information when selecting your rack can help ensure you get a system appropriately designed for your application.
Don't Exceed the Rated Capacity
One of the most important rules for cantilever rack storage is to never exceed the manufacturer's rated capacity.
Overloading a rack can create excessive stress on the arms, uprights, and base. Improperly distributed loads can also affect the stability of the system.
Capacity ratings should be clearly understood by anyone who loads or unloads the rack. It is also a good practice to regularly inspect cantilever racks for damaged or bent components.
Choose Cantilever Racking for Long and Bulky Materials
Cantilever racks provide an efficient way to organize materials that don't fit well on traditional pallet racks or shelving. By eliminating front columns, cantilever racks provide open access to stored products and make loading and unloading long materials easier.
From lumber and pipe to steel stock and other oversized products, choosing the right rack capacity is essential for creating a safe and effective storage system.
A Plus Warehouse offers cantilever racking in a variety of sizes and configurations to accommodate different storage applications. When selecting a system, consider your material dimensions, load weights, storage height, and available space to determine the appropriate configuration.
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