When shopping for pallet racking systems, there are numerous options to pick from and hundreds of vendors to buy from. If you are new to industrial pallets racks, choosing the right type can be a challenge. You can either go for a New Storage Racks or Used Storage Racks. 

This is because racking systems are not all built the same. It is ideal to learn of the different industrial racking systems to be able to make informed purchase decisions based on your needs.

Here are some industrial racking systems you can choose from.

The selective system racking

This is the most common racking mode in most industrial warehouses. It offers unfettered access to all the pallets and enables lower-level order picking. The system requires aisles clearance of 3.5m to 4.5m if you use counterbalanced forklifts and 3m to 3.4m if you use reach trucks.

This industrial rack method supports the FIFO system and enables the use of up to 90% of the storage space. For every one hundred pallets spaces available, you can use at least 90 spaces.

This system is ideal:

• Where there is a low number of storage pallets per SKU.
• When you require to pick and store stock from lower levels.
• When you require free access to any pallet at all times.

The system is not ideal if:

• You are short on space and have a high number of pallets per SKU.
• You require picking from more pallets that allowed by the low-level pick face.

The cost of these storage pallets ranges between $40 and $60 per pallet. The price is determined by whether you go for used pallet racking systems or new ones.

The push back racking system

This type of storage racking requires 3m to 3.5m aisle clearance. Each slot supports the FIFO system. It can comprise of three to four pallets depth. However, most warehouses use the two pallet depth. You can use forklifts to push back the pallets from the isle.

In this system, the pallets are placed on carts that are low friction and can only be used for full pallet storage. When loading in an out, the forklift driver needs to be cautious not to damage the pallets. This type of system allows for up to 90% utilization.

This system is best suited for a warehouse that has more pallets per SKU and requires a higher storage density. It is also useful in warehouses where picking of orders from pallets in the push back racking is not needed.

Avoid using this industrial shelving system if you perform order picking from pallets. It is also not ideal in warehouses where access to the pallets is frequent or where pallet to pallet contact can damage the stock.

The budget ranges between $275 and $295 for each pallet.

The double deep racking system

This industrial shelving system requires an aisle clearance of between 3.0m to 3.4m. It supports the FILO system. Guide rails are used on the support levels while the lower level pallets require beams. A forklift with a camera and an extendable reach is needed for the operation.

This system is commonly used for the placement of two pallets with identical SKU in double deep slots. It offers up 90% pallet utilization. It is ideal for use in industries where there are more pallets per SKU, and when you require a higher storage density.

You should not consider this industrial racking system if you pick orders straight from the pallets or if you frequently need access to the racks. Also, do not use this system if you have a lot of single pallet SKUs in stock.

This industrial shelving system costs between $55 and $65 per pallet.

The pallet live storage system

This racking system requires aisle clearance of 3.0m to 3.4m. It supports the FIFO system on each lane at the rate of one lane per SKU. Gravity roll tracks are used for the pallets. This allows movement of the pallets from one point to another through gravitational pull. It comes with separate load in and out isles and consists of full pallets only. It supports up to 90% storage utilization.

This industrial shelving system is ideal for warehouses that require FIFO operation on fast-moving stock. It is also suitable for warehouses with high numbers of pallets per SKU and even where maximum space utilization is needed.

Do not use this system if you have a low number of pallets per SKU or when you perform order picking. The cost of these pallets ranges between $400 and $420 a pallet.