Cantilever Racking for Long Loads: Specifying Arms, Uprights and Aisles
Direct answer: Cantilever racking stores long loads on horizontal arms instead of pallet beams, so nothing obstructs the load path. Arm capacity falls as arm length grows, which is why arms and uprights are specified together from the load weight, load length and the forklift that will work the aisle.
Why pallet racking cannot carry long loads
Selective pallet racking is built around a standard pallet footprint: beams span between two uprights at a bay width of 2,300 to 3,000 mm, and each beam pair carries a uniformly distributed load of 1,000 to 4,500 kg. That geometry works because the load is compact and supported at two points. A six metre length of steel tube, aluminium extrusion or timber does not fit the model: it overhangs at both ends, and the front upright of the bay stands directly in the path of the load when it is brought in from the side.
Cantilever racking removes that obstruction. Loads rest on arms that project from a single line of uprights, so there is no front column to steer around and no beam to clear. Our cantilever arms are offered from 600 to 1,500 mm and are specified from 300 kg to 3,000 kg per arm, with two to six arm levels and overall heights up to 8 m. Single-sided and double-sided configurations are both available, and the structure is finished in powder coating or hot-dip galvanizing where it stands outdoors.
Arm capacity is a function of arm length
The most common mistake in a cantilever enquiry is quoting an arm capacity without an arm length. Bending moment at the upright rises with the distance the load sits from the column face, so a rating that holds at 600 mm will not hold at 1,500 mm. Ask for the capacity that applies to the arm length you actually need, and state whether the load is distributed along the arm or concentrated near the tip.
The upright then carries the accumulated load of every arm level, exactly as it does in pallet racking. Our cantilever columns are offered in 100×50, 120×60 and 150×75 mm sections in Q235B steel, with arms set at two to six levels. Because the whole frame works in bending rather than in compression alone, the base anchorage and the slab it stands on deserve the same scrutiny as the arm rating itself.
Aisle width and the truck that works the rack
Cantilever aisles are wider than selective pallet aisles because the load itself is long. Plan roughly 3.0 to 4.0 m where a side-loader or counterbalance truck works the face, and check the turning path at the ends of the run rather than only at mid-aisle. Where long stock is served by an overhead crane instead, the aisle requirement changes again and the structure should be specified with the crane duty in mind.
Send the floor plan, the longest and heaviest load you intend to store, the arm length and number of levels you need, and the truck or crane that will serve the rack. Our engineers return a CAD layout with capacity calculations and FOB pricing within 48 hours, with the structure calculated to FEM 10.2 and EN 15512. Standard production runs 18 to 30 days per container and quotations are returned within 24 hours.
Cantilever vs pallet racking for long loads
| Criterion | Cantilever racking | Pallet racking |
|---|---|---|
| Load type | Timber, pipe, tube, profiles, sheet — any length without pallets | Unit loads on pallets |
| Obstruction in the load path | None — arms are open front and back | Front beams block long loads at every level |
| Arm deflection | Grows with the cube of arm length; must be checked per arm length | Not applicable |
| Typical arm length | 600–2,000 mm per side | Beam spans 1,800–3,600 mm between uprights |
| Forklift type | Standard counterbalance; long loads need wide aisles | Standard counterbalance or reach truck |
| Best fit | Sawmills, steel service centres, plastics extrusion, aluminium profiles | Cartons, bags, drums, mixed palletised SKUs |
FAQ
How much weight does a cantilever arm carry?
Our cantilever arms are specified from 300 kg to 3,000 kg per arm, in lengths from 600 to 1,500 mm. Capacity depends on arm length because the bending moment at the upright increases with distance from the column, so always request the rating for the exact arm length and load distribution you intend to use.
Should I choose single-sided or double-sided cantilever racking?
Single-sided racking is normally placed against a wall and worked from one face. Double-sided racking places arms on both sides of a central column line, which suits a free-standing island in the middle of a bay and gives higher storage density per column. Send the floor plan and we will model both versions in the CAD layout.
Can cantilever racking be used outdoors?
Yes, and it frequently is for timber, pipe and steel stock. Specify the hot-dip galvanized finish rather than standard powder coating for outdoor or cold exposure. Our standard surface treatment is degrease, phosphate and powder coating at 60 to 80 microns, with hot-dip galvanizing offered specifically for outdoor and cold applications.
What information do you need for a cantilever quotation?
The floor plan, the longest and heaviest load including its distribution, the arm length and number of levels required, the clear height available and the handling method. From that we return a free CAD layout with capacity calculations and FOB pricing within 48 hours, together with structural calculation sheets to FEM 10.2 and EN 15512.
All figures above refer to standard product data sheets; final confirmation is subject to written quotation.