What Is Push Back Racking?

Push back racking (sometimes known as pushback rack) is a high density pallet storage approach that allows pallets to be stored anywhere from 2 to 6 units deep. Pallets ride on nested carts that travel up a gradual slope as products are added, or “pushed back” from the front of the rack.

When pallets are later pulled, the pallet immediately behind the front pallet glides back down the slope to the facing slot.

Push Back Rack Advantages And Disadvantages

Pushback rack is ideal for some operations, but is not appropriate for all warehouses. There are several advantages and disadvantages to investigate.

Higher Density Storage

Given that push back pallet racks can accommodate between 2-6 pallets in any given position, they can eliminate somewhere from 1-5 aisles, which can be a significant chunk of warehouse square footage.

Less Forklift Travel

By eliminating aisles, lift trucks don’t have to make as many trips, saving time and equipment wear. Reduced lift truck movement also makes a safer environment inside the warehouse. Less travel is an easy way to guarantee a lower number of collisions.

Greater Selectivity

Push back rack provides an ideal combination of selectivity and storage efficiency. In contrast to drive-in rack, where whole bays are typically a single SKU, push back provides direct access to a larger selection of pallet positions from the face.

LIFO Configuration

Dissimilar to pallet flow rack, which is a First In First Out (FIFO) type of system, push back rack is a Last In First Out (LIFO) style of storage. This means that it’s not generally suitable for goods that can expire or spoil, because products that are added early may sit for long periods of time as inventory is loaded and depleted from the aisle.

How Does Push Back Racking Work?

Push back racks utilize a set of tracks declining in the direction of the rack face and a set of nested carts which ride on these rails.

An initial pallet is placed on the uppermost cart by a forklift. When a new pallet is added, the forklift operator forces the original pallet back and sets the next pallet on the adjacent cart. The last pallet loaded in the lane sits on the rails.

In the unloading process, carts loaded with pallets advance down the incline. Workers pull each pallet in succession until the lane is clear, or add pallets, filling the lane back up.

Push Back Pallet Racking For Sale

For more information on push back racking options, call a racking professional at Raymond West now. Our warehouse design experts can help you find a system that is perfect for your operation.

Raymond West's Ontario, California facility serves parts of Los Angeles County and San Bernardino County, including Ontario, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, La Verne, San Dimas, Covina, West Covina, Pomona, Diamond Bar, Rowland Heights, Chino, Norco, Eastvale, Corona, Jurupa Valley, San Bernardino, Rialto and all surrounding areas.

Raymond West | Ontario California Material Handling Equipment Supplier

4602 E Brickell St
Ontario, CA 91761
(909) 930-9399