How does pushback racking differ from other racking systems?
Selective pallet racking is the most common system that is used by warehouses wherein uprights and a pair of cross beams create a shelf that can be used to store a pallet. Selective pallet racking typically have multiple levels per bay but the bay is only typically one pallet deep though in some instances it can be increased to two pallets deep. In the drive-in and drive-through racking, forklift trucks are allowed to drive directly into the bay to do the unloading and loading of products or whatever palletized materials need storage. Both systems are specifically suited for large quantities of products but they need to be more or less the same so that accessibility will not become an issue. In pallet flow rack systems, the pallets naturally flow towards the front of the system with the next pallets doing the same thing after the first pallet has been removed. Pushback racking when compared to other racking systems is an option for a warehouse that uses the LIFO (last in, first out) inventory system and provides considerably denser storage capacities compared to other traditional racking systems.
The benefits of pushback racking systems
Pushback racking system requires customized racks that have the potential to store between 2 to 6 pallets in depth. During the storage of the pallets, a pallet is pushed into the storage lane. The pallets that are already stored in the lane will be pushed back into the slightly angled incline. When it is time to retrieve the pallet, the pallet that occupies the first position in the exit is pulled from the lane. Gravity will cause the other pallets to slide slowly forward to the exit position. A system of rails is installed in front of each storage lane so that the pallets can be allowed to move forward and backward within the system. If there is a forklift on the operating aisle all that the vehicle requires is to reach into the face of the rack instead of driving inside the aisle to retrieve a pallet. The system enhances the productivity of the forklift as well as that of the warehouse itself since it will considerably cuts back on waiting time.
Aside from productivity, there are other advantages that can be expected because the pushback racking system can be easily installed and modified to keep up with changing warehouse requirements. Unlike other rack systems, each level is independent from each other and also independently accessible which means that different products or materials can be stored.