Used Pallet Racks for Sale — 215

Definition of a pallet rack

Pallet racks were conceptualised for the efficient loading via the use of industrial trucks and cranes. Pallet racks get their name from their use: heavy duty pallet racks are so well built that they can host enormous pallets, crates, steel storage containers or other containers with the standard dimensions of a pallet.

The characteristics of a pallet racking system 

A pallet rack's construction has two specific characteristics. It is generally more stable than any other conventional shelving unit. Pallet shelves are general heavy-duty shelves can carry loads of up to several tonnes per square meter.

The second characteristical feature is that these units usually do not have shelf floors. Pallets, crates and steel containers are placed on specific points: the corners. Therefore, the floor is not necessary, and not having it reduces the cost of the pallet shelf. A side effect is that these loads need to be stored in the exact right position. This means that loading a pallet rack is very safe and it optimally uses all the available place. They are particularly suited for automatic loading.

The structure of a pallet rack

Pallet racks are only made out of a few components. The stand on very stable feet, and are usually anchored to the floor or wall with steel dowels. The length of a system corresponds to its height. Some systems can be expanded. The feet are connected underneath by straight and diagonal connectors. The diagonal ones give the pallet rack the necessary stability at its base. The individual shelves are made out of powerful crossbeams. These are attached to the feet with a simple push-fit system. There is also the option of attaching the cross beams and feet via screws, brackets or other components. This achieves the highest level of security. Further diagonal supports are used to give the shelf stability along its longitudinal axis. If they are correctly installed, a heavy duty pallet racking can provide a solid and reliable service for over a decade. 

Pallet rack systems are rarely coated. The most important crossbeams are usually only galvanised. This reduces the costs and means that potential damages are much more visible.

Types of industrial pallet racks

The standard pallet rack system is the simplest construction. They are most suited for small to mid-sized storage in normal, manual facilities. Assembly, recycling and the storing of raw materials, auxiliary materials and operating supplies can increase the efficiency and safety of a normal production facility.

Automatic high bay storage solutions

Dispatching facilities and companies with high productivity rates can increase their in-house logistics by using high bay storage units. The loading and unloading processes are sped up through use of automatic systems that ensure that the loading is always absolutely correct. In addition to self-driven units of independently operating loading systems, automatic high bay storage units also require a sophisticated sensor system for the shelves and the pallets. Nowadays, the RFID-Chips are used, which are a contact-free, optical and independent system. These use radio waves and do not require any light barriers or laser scanners. Optimal space utilisation is always achieved by using an intelligent, automatic pallet rack.

Mobile pallet rack

Mobile pallet racks are used, when a lot of material need to be stored in a minimal amount of space. The entire shelf units can be moved, which reduces the space required for tunnels or passages to a minimum. Mobile pallet racks always move apart directly where they are approached. Intelligent electric systems and powerful engines mean that mobile pallet racks are highly automated. The safety aspects of this type of shelving unit should taken into consideration. The unauthorised and unsupervised entering of storage warehouses needs to be prevented. When buying an used pallet racking, it is important to make sure that there are enough emergency stop buttons available.

Channel storage systems

Channel storage systems have a single integrated loading and unloading system. They have extremely large storage capacities for all important applications. Cold storage facilities are a common area of application for channel storage systems. A channel storage system is the ideal solution for in-house logistics in terms of efficiently cooling a workspace, which would otherwise be very expensive. Just like all other automatic pallet racks, the loading and unloading of a channel storage system happens independently.

Pallet flow racking systems

A pallet flow racking system uses the First in-First out principle. It is particularly suited for storing perishable products. A pallet flow racking system effectively prevents products in the last rows from being forgotten, where they would eventually expire. It is mostly used for storing foodstuffs, pharmaceutical products and important mechanical components like spare parts for aeroplanes. Modern pallet flow racking systems work without a separate electric engine, and therefore they do not require so much maintenance and are energy efficient.

Maintaining and rearing a pallet rack

Even though pallet storage racks are very robust, they can always be worn down to a certain extent. Therefore, regularly monitoring a pallet rack is very useful. It is important that the rotational accuracy of automatic high bay storage solutions is checked by an independent monitoring organisation, in order to ensure operational security. Tasks like tightening screws, can be undertaken in-house. The most suited tool for this is a torque wrench. A high rack forklift with an operator's seat is the ideal machine for safely reaching the screws. This is even more important when getting an used pallet rack as the security features should be totally checked up.

Pallet rack accessories

Forklifts are accessories for pallet racks.

The use of accessories can significantly increase the efficiency of an industrial pallet racking. For example, shelves that can be pulled out to ease the loading, unloading and storing of bulky goods. Grates are a cheap way to ensure that materials don't fall down if the shelves are badly loaded. Impact protection against damage is particularly useful in facilities that have a lot of forklift activity. The feet of a storage unit for heavy-duty components is particularly vulnerable. Knocks, bumps or tears can easily impact the whole construction, and in the worst cases, lead to the shelf system collapsing. Impact protection around the shelving's floor bolts can effectively prevent this from happening. Push-through guards prevent a product from accidentally being pushed out off the shelf. If, for example, one accidentally tries to store a pallet on a shelf that is already occupied by other pallets, a push-through guard will prevent these other goods from falling off the shelf. Rear wall covers are used to make it look as if the pallet rack system has a wall. This can be set up behind the pallet racking system, making it look like there is an entirely different workspace. The rear wall also protects the shelves from noise and dirt. To acquire an used pallet rack could be a very good alternative.

One of the most important accessories for a conventional pallet rack is a forklift. Only electric or gas forklifts be used in indoor facilities so a good equipment is essential. Diesel-powered forklifts can also be used in outdoor facilities. Very high shelving units require a special high rack forklift, which has a particularly high lifting mast. Practice is very important in order to be able to operate these machines reliably and safely even so used pallet racks can be used for it.

Pallet racking manufacturers

A particularly wide range of different types of second hand pallet racking for sale are available from the companies SSI SCHÄFER, JUNGHEINRICH and SPLATTENHUBER. Cheap and simple pallet racks are available from the manufacturers META MULTIPAL, BRÜCKLAGERTECHNIK and ESTANT GMBH.
Recommended companies for forklifts or used pallet racking for sale include LINDE, CLARK, JUNGHEINRICH, TOYOTA and RUDOLF MAXEIN.