What is pallet racking? Pallet racking is a material handling storage system used to store pallets of materials or goods. A pallet racking storage system is a popular storage option for everything from warehouses to home garages because they are so customizable to large or small areas. Pallet racking is easily built into sections of horizontal rows with multiple levels. This type of storage makes it possible to use vertical space for storage that is often wasted. Pallet racking systems are also designed to allow for future growth and are easily added on as needed. This style of shelving is also easily accessed by forklifts, which makes it a great addition to anywhere needing storage.
Warehouse Storage Solution Services
We take a three-fold approach to warehouse storage solutions, to meet your unique needs. In addition to used pallet rack sales, we also offer new pallet rack sales in our online store, as well as specialized warehouse storage solutions and custom layout and design services. SJF's expert team will work closely with you to engineer industrial storage that is tailored to the unique dimensions and demands of your space, ensuring that every inch is utilized efficiently. By optimizing the layout and configuration of your pallet racks, we can significantly increase your storage capacity while ensuring easy access to products. Learn about our storage solution services and more under our Warehouse Fulfillment Solutions section.
What is Teardrop Pallet Racking?
There are many different styles and manufacturers of pallet storage systems used in the USA today. Of all the styles, the teardrop style is the most popular because of its slide-in teardrop-shaped punched hole design. They don't need hardware to install... the horizontal beams slide into the teardrop-shaped holes on the vertical uprights for quick and easy assembly without bolts or other hardware. Teardrop racking can be purchased as complete kits or as individual components such as beams, uprights, and other accessories, adding to its simplistic appeal. Since many rack manufacturers use a teardrop style connection, this design allows for the mixing and matching of different manufacturers' beams and uprights. This adaptability ensures flexibility in creating customized pallet shelves tailored to specific storage needs.
Whether for warehouses, distribution centers, or home garages, teardrop pallet shelving optimizes vertical space utilization and offers a convenient storage solution easily accessible by forklifts, making it an ideal addition to any space in need of efficient and organized storage.
Many styles and brands of pallet racking uprights and beams have been added to our inventory, including Interlake, Prest, and Hiline to name a few. Keep checking back - we're constantly adding new products!
We have both right and left hand aisle guards and are offering a great price AND quick shipping! And by that we mean a low price of $151 each and shipping within 48 hours of ordering. When they're gone though, they're gone for good, so hurry!
These aisle guards are a heavy duty 46" width x 10" height with wrap-around V.
It's easy to buy new teardrop-style pallet rack kits, beams, upright frames, and accessories online. SJF has taken the guesswork out and created some pre-configured Pallet Racking Kits that include all components needed to build a pallet rack storage solution. Both starter and adder kits are available in several configurations to allow for the possibility of future growth.
In addition to our pallet racking kits, beams, and uprights, SJF also offers several different types of pallet rack shelf accessories to add to your system.
Using Pallet Racking For Home or Warehouse Storage
Pallet storage is one of the most popular types of warehouse storage systems used today. Because of the wide variety of styles and sizes to choose from, it is commonly used by warehouses and distribution centers for industrial storage, as well as for a simple home storage projects.
SJF carries a wide variety of pre-owned industrial warehouse storage rack brands and styles to fit any space. We also carry a wide assortment of accessories to add-on to or customize any currently installed warehouse rack systems.
SJF's professional sales staff has over 60 years of combined experience with second hand or used pallet racks of all types. We have thousands of light and heavy duty beams, column uprights and accessories in-stock and ready for immediate shipment. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please contact us for a free professional consultation.
Maximize warehouse height by implementing taller storage units and suitable material handling tools like and pallet jacks. This method can significantly expand your storage capacity and reduce the storage system footprint. Used pallet racks can be tailored to various heights, making them perfect for vertical storage applications.
Implement Scalable Storage Solutions
Modular storage systems offer flexibility and can be adjusted to meet inventory demands. These systems allow for easy reconfiguration of shelving and racking, helping to optimize space without a complete system overhaul. Used pallet racks are adaptable and can be rearranged to suit changing inventory requirements.
Boost Storage Density with Used Pallet Racks
Improving storage density involves reconsidering aisle layout and configuration. Narrow aisle racking systems can substantially increase storage capacity while maintaining ease of access. Used pallet racks provide a cost-efficient means to maximize vertical storage space, ensuring no square foot is wasted.
Leverage Automation
Although automation and robotic systems require significant initial investment, they can greatly enhance usable warehouse space. These systems minimize the need for large aisles and manual handling, effectively using vertical space and accelerating retrieval times. Combining ASRS with used pallet racks can further optimize space usage and reduce costs.
Perform Regular Storage Audits
Conducting regular audits of your storage practices helps identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement. This ensures you consistently maximize your available space and can adjust to changes in inventory size or type. Assessing the condition and arrangement of used pallet racks during audits can maintain an efficient storage system.
By implementing these strategies, you can effectively increase the storage capacity within your existing warehouse footprint using used pallet racks and other related solutions. This not only improves operational workflow but also scales up productivity without the need for additional physical expansion.
Other Pallet Storage Uses
Pallet racking is a versatile type of storage that is used in many different ways besides just storing goods in warehouses. It is often used to organize space for internal operations as well. Some examples of this would be tire rack, forklift battery rack, pallet storage racks and furniture racks. Large hardware stores such as Home Depot, Menards and Lowes use this warehouse equipment to display products for sale.
When considering the cost of racking a pallet, several factors come into play. The type of pallet racking, such as the versatile teardrop pallet racking, influences costs. Teardrop pallet racking offers flexibility and efficiency. A basic guide on pallet racking can be found in our Pallet Racking Basics guide.
Double deep pallet racking is a space-efficient option, maximizing storage capacity. The costs associated with double deep pallet racking depend on various factors, including the specific requirements of your storage space. Consider exploring used pallet shelving as a cost-effective option. More info can be found on our used pallet rack systems page, to help meet your storage needs and budget without breaking the bank.
While the DIY approach may seem tempting, professional installation is recommended for pallet racking. Ensuring safety and efficiency, professional installers bring expertise to the table, guaranteeing your racking system is set up correctly.
Understanding the structural integrity of pallet racking is crucial. While pallet racking is designed to support heavy loads, it is not intended for human foot traffic. Safety should always be a top priority in warehouse environments, and walking on pallet racking poses unnecessary risks.
Anchoring pallet racking is essential for stability and safety. Proper anchoring ensures the racking system remains secure, providing a reliable storage solution.
Used pallet rack beams can start as low as $15 each and used pallet rack uprights can start as low as $55. Prices depend strongly on size and condition of the material. Purchasing used pallet racking is a very popular choice for many businesses needing industrial shelving and storage. Often it is in like-new condition and can save quite a bit of money if purchased from a reputable dealer.
Standard duty pallet racking typically holds from 15,000-18,000 lbs. For heavy duty racking, the weight capacity can typically range from 25,000 to 30,000 lbs. The amount of weight that it can hold depends on the size and density of the pallet rack.
View tips on how to configure your own metal pallet rack installation with our Pallet Rack Assembly Guide.
There are many different types of pallet racking for different spaces. Here are a few of the more popular types used for industrial storage:
Teardrop pallet racking is one of the most popular types of pallet storage systems used today. Teardrop rack uses a slide-in teardrop shaped punched hole design, which is used to lock the horizontal beams to the vertical uprights for quick and easy assembly without hardware.
Drive in pallet racking systems store pallets on a First In/Last Out (FILO) basis. Pallets are loaded and retrieved from the front side of the drive in rack and forklift trucks drive directly into the rack's bays to get to the stored product. The last pallet loaded into the rack becomes the first pallet accessible.
Drive through racking works similarly, but stores pallets on a first in/first out (FIFO) basis. Pallets are loaded on one side of the rack and retrieved from the opposite side.
Push back racking uses a selective rack structure with a rail and cart system. Pallets are set on nested carts or trays that can be pushed backwards along rails in the rack frame itself. The rails are on an incline and fed by gravity, so the most recently added load is always in the front of the rack. The pallets are easily loaded and unloaded on a "Last In, First Out" (LIFO) rotation.
Case and carton flow rack uses gravity rollers or skatewheels in the rack shelf itself to allow product to be loaded from the back and flows to the front, which is the pick side. Carton flow racking (or case flow racking) provides FIFO (First In, First Out) inventory control.
Pallet flow rack is a First In, First Out (FIFO) system that utilizes gravity roller tracks to form a gravity flow lane. The tracks are set with a decline pitch which allows pallets to move by gravity from the in feed side (rear) to the pick side (front).
Span-Track is a product manufactured by the Unex company and is similar to carton flow rack. Unex Span-Track uses gravity rollers to flow product from the back to the pick side in the front. Span-Track provides FIFO (First In, First Out) inventory control.
Cantilever racks are steel warehouse shelving units with long arms that extend from metal frames used to store long, bulky or awkward materials. They are used to store items such as furniture, lumber, PVC, metal pipes, steel bar stock, plywood, steel sheets, sheetrock and even cars. Cantilever racks are configurable in countless different ways, allowing a flexible solution to fit any type of storage needs.
Selective pallet racking uses an aisle to access each pallet, offering easy accessibility to every pallet, as well as utilizing the available vertical space.
Pallet racking bays are the sections in a long span racking system that has an upright on each side. If two bays are positioned together in a back-to-back fashion, they are referred to as double deep pallet racking.
Pallet racks can be up to 240" high.
Pallet racks efficiently use otherwise wasted available vertical space by creating a shelving system with many options available. Forklift trucks are used to load and unload the materials on and off of the rack shelves, increasing warehouse efficiency and saving stock picking time.
Pallet racking is available in many different styles and capacities to fit the needs of a warehouse. There are many types of pallet racking, but teardrop pallet racking is the most popular because of its ease of assembly and flexibility in mixing and matching brands.
We have an entire page dedicated to questions on pallet racks, pallet shelving, and industrial pallet racking. Check it out!
Pallet rack beams are the horizontal weight-bearing structure that connects the upright frames to each other. Teardrop warehouse rack beams are the most requested and sought after beam styles for pallet racks used in modern warehouses today. Cross beams come in all different lengths, heights and gauges (height and gauge determine beam capacity).
All teardrop storage rack beams use a standard teardrop style and will work with all major brands, as long as the upright utilizes the classic "teardrop" shaped hole punching. SJF also carries a wide range of shaved pin beams. This is a modern innovation that allows SJF's shelf beams to fit both the new and old teardrop type hole design, originally introduced by Interlake/Mecalux.
How To Choose Pallet Racking Beams
The beams come in different lengths and heights depending on the size of the pallet racking needed and the weight and dimensions of the items stored on the racks. They also come in step style or box style, which allow the use of optional over the top or drop in supports or decking. Pallet rack beams can be adjusted to whatever height from the ground is needed and can be easily removed and readjusted to a different level for future changing needs.
If you have any questions about warehouse racks or any of industrial storage systems you see on this site, please call and speak to one of our friendly SJF customer service representatives for more details at (320) 485-4974 (direct sales line) or (800) 598-5532. Click to view our new storage racks in our eStore.
View a short video explaining measurements and capacities for pallet rack beams.
What are Pallet Rack Upright Frames?
Pallet rack uprights or upright frames are the vertical support that determines the height and depth of the warehouse racking system. Upright frames come in many heights and depths to support whatever weight capacity is needed.
How To Choose Pallet Racking Uprights
Two upright frames are needed for a starter pallet racking bay. Once the first structure is in place, only one upright frame is needed to add on to a current rack. Choose from a wide variety of sizes with SJF teardrop style upright frames. These upright frames utilize the universal teardrop style connectors which can be interchanged with any standard teardrop racking on the market today.
All uprights come painted with high visibility paint, which reduces the chances of damage to racks and accidents to employees.
If you have any questions about warehouse racks or any of industrial storage systems you see on this site, please call and speak to one of our friendly SJF customer service representatives for more details at (320) 485-4974 (direct sales line) or (800) 598-5532. Click to view our new storage racks in our eStore.
Click above to see a short video on how to measure uprights.
