Struggling to keep up with demand because your warehouse is overflowing? Push-back racking might be the solution you need.
This smart storage system can make your warehouse space more efficient and organized.
Imagine storing more pallets in less space, speeding up operations, and boosting productivity. Intrigued?
Let’s roll in and explore the three key advantages of push-back racking that will improve your warehouse.
Push-Back Racking: A Quick Overview
Push back racking (also referred to as pushback racking) is a pallet storage method that allows pallets to be stored from 2 to 6 deep on either side of an aisle, giving you higher storage density than other forms of racking. A pushback rack system contains a pair of inclined rails and a series of nesting carts which ride on these rails. As an example, a 4 deep lane will have 3 nested carts.
The first pallet is loaded on the top cart by a forklift. When the operator comes in with the second pallet, they push the first pallet back and rest the second pallet on the middle cart. Similarly, the 3rd pallet pushes back the first 2 and rests on the bottom cart. The operator loads the last pallet by pushing back the first 3 and placing the load on the pair of rails.
When unloading the pushback rack, the sequence is reversed. The rails are inclined toward the aisle, so when the operator picks up the pallet resting on the rails and backs out, the 3 remaining pallets will follow to the front of the lane. They can then remove each pallet in succession, until the lane is empty.
Push-back racking is efficient because it uses space well, storing pallets multiple rows deep. This reduces the number of aisles needed. It is also easy to use. Forklift operators can load and unload from the same aisle. This saves time and increases productivity.
Top Benefits of Push-Back Racking for Warehouses
Below we’ll explore the key advantages of push-back racking:
More Storage Density
One of the biggest benefits of push-back racking is more storage density. This means you can store more pallets in the same amount of space.
Using more depth means you need fewer aisles. Fewer aisles mean you can use more space for storage. This is improves your density within the warehouse. You can store more pallets without needing to expand your facilities.
More storage density also means better use of vertical space. Push-back racks can go high up, letting you store items from floor to ceiling. This helps you use all the space available in your warehouse.
Improved Accessibility
Another great advantage of push-back racking is improved accessibility. This system makes it easier to access your stored items. Each pallet is easy to reach because it’s right at the front of the lane.
With push-back racking, you don’t need to drive deep into the rack to retrieve items. The pallets come to you. This reduces the time it takes to load and unload items. It also makes the process safer because forklifts don’t have to enter the racks like they do in a Drive-in System.
Improved accessibility means faster picking times. Workers can quickly find and retrieve items. This is especially useful for warehouses with high turnover rates. You can move products in and out quickly and efficiently.
Cost-Effective Solution
Last but not least, one key benefit of push-back racking is that it’s a cost-effective solution. This system can save your warehouse money in several ways.
First, push-back racking increases storage density. You can store more items in the same amount of space. This means you might not need to use outside storage, which saves on operating costs.
Second, the system reduces the number of aisles needed. With fewer aisles, you have more room for storage. This efficient use of space will lower your overall operational costs.
Push-back racking also improves loading and unloading times. Because pallets are easy to access, workers spend less time moving products. This can lower labor costs and increase productivity.
The design of push-back racking is durable and requires minimal maintenance. Constructed with structural steel components, this system is rugged and will withstand a lot of forklift abuse. This leads to fewer repairs and less downtime.
Moreover, you can configure pushback to store over bulk storage, combining high density with lower overall cost. These types of systems are typically less expensive than other high density storage systems like pallet flow, drive-in and pallet shuttles.
FAQs on Push-Back Racking
How does push-back racking work?
Push-back racking works by storing pallets on nested carts that sit on inclined rails. When a new pallet is loaded, it pushes the existing pallets back. To retrieve a pallet, the front pallet is taken out, and the remaining pallets move forward automatically, making storage and retrieval quick and easy.
How much space can push-back racking save?
Push-back racking can save significant space by being able to store up to 6 pallets deep from the aisle. This reduces the number of aisles needed and maximizes the use of vertical space, allowing you to store more items in the same area. This efficient use of space can increase storage capacity by up to 50%.
Is push-back racking suitable for all types of products?
Push-back racking is suitable for many types of products, but it’s not ideal for all. It works well for goods with multiple pallets of the same SKU and high turnover items. However, customers with only a few pallets per product will can require different storage solutions to ensure their accessibility.
Final Words
To sum up, push-back racking offers warehouses three key advantages: more storage density, improved accessibility, and cost-effectiveness. Implementing this system improves efficiency and productivity while improving space utilization. If you’re interested in exploring push-back racking further, feel free to hit us up at 3D Storage Systems. We can give you free quotes and racking system drawings to help you find the best storage solution for your needs. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to revolutionize your warehouse storage—contact us today!