What Is Push Back Racking?

Push back racking (sometimes referred to pushback rack) is an extremely efficient pallet storage scheme that configures pallet lanes anywhere from 2 to 6 units deep. Pallets sit on nested shuttles that are forced up a modest incline as pallets are added, or “pushed back” from the face of the rack.

When goods are later pulled, the pallet immediately behind the foremost pallet slips back down the slope to the facing slot.

Push Back Rack Advantages And Disadvantages

Push back racking is perfect for many applications, but isn’t appropriate for all warehouses. There are several favorable and possibly unfavorable aspects to take into consideration.

Higher Density Storage

Because push back pallet racks can store anywhere from 2-6 pallets in any particular position, they can eliminate between 1-5 aisles, which represents a significant chunk of warehouse real estate.

Less Forklift Travel

With a reduction in aisle number, forklifts don’t have to rack up as many hours, increasing efficiency and reducing wear and tear on equipment. Diminished lift truck traffic also improves safety by a significant factor within the warehouse. Less travel directly correlates to a lower number of safety infractions.

Greater Selectivity

Push back rack offers an excellent blend of storage density and selectivity. Different from drive-in rack, where full rack bays are usually only one SKU, pushback rack offers instant access to a much greater number of pallet positions from the face.

LIFO Configuration

In contrast to pallet flow rack, which is a First In First Out (FIFO) variety of system, push back rack is a Last In First Out (LIFO) type of storage. LIFO systems are not ideal for items with an expiration date, because products that are stored early can sit for quite a long period of time as inventory is loaded and depleted from the rack face.

How Does Push Back Racking Work?

Push back rack configurations include a couple of rails sloping toward the aisle and a collection of interlinked shuttles which ride on these rails.

The first pallet is loaded on the highest cart by a lift truck. When another pallet is loaded, the forklift operator nudges the first pallet back and sets the second pallet on the second cart. The very last pallet positioned in the lane is seated on the tracks.

As push back rack is unloaded, carts of products slide down the tracks. Workers pull each pallet sequentially until the lane is empty, or add pallets, refilling the lane.

Push Back Pallet Racking For Sale

If you’re in the market for a push back racking system, get in touch with a material handling professional at Raymond West now. Our warehouse design experts can help you develop a solution that is ideal for your operation.

Raymond's Reno / Sparks service operation includes all of Western Nevada, including Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Minden, Gardnerville, Incline Village, Virginia City, Indian Hills, Johnson Lane, Fernley, Fallon, Dayton, Silver Springs, Spanish Springs, Yerington, Genoa and Zephyr Cove.

Raymond West | Reno / Sparks Material Handling Equipment Supplier

975 Terminal Way
Reno, NV 89502
(775) 356-8383