Cantilever Rack Systems
Open-front storage for long, bulky, and irregularly shaped items — lumber, pipe, steel bar, furniture, plywood, and more. No front columns means full-length access from any level.
What Is Cantilever Rack?
An open-face racking system with horizontal arms extending from vertical columns — designed for items that are too long, wide, or irregularly shaped for standard pallet rack.
Cantilever rack eliminates front columns entirely. Instead of storing items between vertical uprights, cantilever uses horizontal arms projecting from a single row of columns. This gives you unobstructed access to the full length of every storage level — perfect for lumber yards, steel service centers, furniture warehouses, and pipe storage facilities.
The system is available in single-sided (against a wall) and double-sided (freestanding, accessible from both sides) configurations. Arms are adjustable in height and can be angled upward to prevent loads from sliding off. Material Handling USA designs, supplies, and installs cantilever rack systems across the United States.
How Cantilever Rack Works
Vertical columns bolt to a base that anchors to the floor. Horizontal arms bolt or pin into holes on the column face and can be repositioned as storage needs change. Diagonal and horizontal bracing connects columns for structural stability. Loads are placed directly onto the arms by forklift, overhead crane, or manually for lighter items.
Cantilever Rack Configurations
Single-Sided Cantilever
Arms project from one side of the column only. Designed to be placed against a wall or building perimeter. Base extends in the opposite direction for stability. Column capacities up to 11,200 lbs for heavy-duty models.
Best for: Wall-mounted storage, lumber yards along building perimeters, retail displays
Double-Sided Cantilever
Arms project from both sides of the column. Freestanding design accessible from two aisles. Provides double the storage per footprint compared to single-sided. Column capacities up to 22,400 lbs.
Best for: Center-of-warehouse applications, steel service centers, high-volume lumber storage
Medium-Duty Cantilever
Lighter-weight option for bars, pipes, rods, and tubing. All units 79″ tall with arms adjustable in 1½” increments. Arms available in 12″, 18″, and 24″ lengths with welded end-stops. Assembles in under 10 minutes.
Best for: Pipe storage, bar stock, metal rod inventory, light manufacturing
Technical Specifications
Heavy-Duty Cantilever
| Component | Options | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Column Heights | 8′, 10′, 12′ (custom heights available) | Up to 22,400 lbs/column (double-sided) |
| Arm Lengths | 24″, 36″, 48″ | 900 – 2,200 lbs per arm |
| Arm Angles | 4° incline, 20° incline, straight | Inclined arms prevent load rolloff |
| Brace Widths | 3′, 4′, 6′, 8′ spans | Sets for 8’/10′ and 12′ column heights |
| Arm Adjustment | Every 3″ on column face | Repositionable without disassembly |
| End Stops | Optional bolt-on for heavy-duty arms | Prevents load from sliding off arm end |
Medium-Duty Cantilever
| Component | Options | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Column Height | 79″ standard | Single-sided and double-sided |
| Arm Lengths | 12″, 18″, 24″ | 600 – 1,000 lbs per arm |
| Arm Adjustment | Every 1½” on column face | Fine-tuned to product dimensions |
| Brace Beams | 36″, 48″, 72″ | 4 beams required per section |
| Assembly | Bolt-together design | Under 10 minutes per section |
Applications & Industries
🪵 Lumber & Building Materials
The #1 application for cantilever rack. Dimensional lumber, plywood sheets, OSB, MDF, and trim all store cleanly on arms. Forklifts access full bundles from the front without obstructions. Most lumber yards and building supply stores use cantilever exclusively.
🔩 Steel & Metal Service Centers
Store steel bar, angle iron, channel, pipe, tube, and flat stock. Heavy-duty cantilever handles the weight. Inclined arms keep round stock from rolling off. Organize by size, gauge, and alloy for fast picking.
🛋️ Furniture & Appliances
Sofas, mattresses, table tops, and large appliances that don’t fit in standard pallet rack. Cantilever’s open front allows loading oversized items without worrying about upright spacing.
🏗️ Construction & Contractor Supply
Drywall, conduit, rebar, PVC pipe, metal roofing panels, and prefab components. Cantilever keeps long materials organized and accessible on job sites and in contractor warehouses.
🚗 Automotive & Manufacturing
Bumpers, exhaust systems, trim moldings, sheet metal blanks, and raw material bar stock. Cantilever is common in auto parts distribution and manufacturing staging areas.
📐 Carpet, Fabric & Rolls
Carpet rolls, vinyl flooring, fabric bolts, paper rolls, and wire spools. Cantilever arms support the full length of rolled materials without sagging or deformation.
Advantages of Cantilever Rack
- No front columns — unobstructed access to every storage level
- Handles any length — 2-foot pipe to 24-foot lumber beams
- Adjustable arms — reposition in 1½” to 3″ increments as product mix changes
- Single or double sided — wall-mount or freestanding configurations
- Heavy-duty capacity — up to 22,400 lbs per column (double-sided)
- Inclined arm options — prevents round stock from rolling off (4° and 20° angles)
- Fast assembly — medium-duty units assemble in under 10 minutes
- Forklift and crane compatible — load with standard equipment
- Indoor or outdoor — galvanized options for outdoor lumber yards
- Bolt-together design — damaged components replace individually without welding
Cantilever vs. Standard Pallet Rack
| Feature | Cantilever Rack | Standard Pallet Rack |
|---|---|---|
| Front Access | 100% open — no columns | Limited by upright spacing |
| Best Item Shape | Long, bulky, irregular | Palletized, uniform sizes |
| Item Length | Unlimited (add more columns) | Limited to beam span (typically 8’–12′) |
| Arm/Level Adjustment | Every 1½”–3″ | Every 2″ (beam in teardrop) |
| Inventory Rotation | FIFO (all positions accessible) | FIFO for selective, varies by type |
| Typical Industries | Lumber, steel, pipe, furniture | Distribution, food, manufacturing |
Choose cantilever if: Your items are longer than 8 feet, irregularly shaped, or cannot be palletized. Also ideal for items stored at varying lengths within the same system.
Choose standard pallet rack if: Your inventory is palletized, uniform in size, and fits within standard beam spans.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much weight can cantilever rack hold?
Individual arm capacities range from 600 lbs (medium-duty, 24″ arm) to 2,200 lbs (heavy-duty, 24″ arm). Column capacities reach 22,400 lbs for heavy-duty double-sided units. Material Handling USA engineers each system for your specific load requirements.
Can cantilever rack be used outdoors?
Yes. Galvanized cantilever rack is available for outdoor lumber yards, steel service centers, and building material storage. Galvanized finish resists rust and corrosion from weather exposure.
What’s the difference between single-sided and double-sided cantilever?
Single-sided cantilever has arms on one side only — designed to sit against a wall. Double-sided has arms on both sides and sits freestanding in an aisle, accessible from both directions. Double-sided provides 2× the storage per footprint but requires aisle access on both sides.
How do I prevent round materials from rolling off the arms?
Use inclined arms (4° or 20° upward angle) and optional end-stops. The incline creates a natural cradle that holds pipe, bar stock, and rolls in place. End-stops bolt to the arm tips as an additional safety barrier.
Can cantilever rack store carpet rolls and fabric bolts?
Yes. Cantilever is the standard solution for roll storage in flooring, fabric, and paper industries. Arms support the full length of the roll without sagging. Longer arms (36″–48″) accommodate wider rolls.
Explore More Pallet Rack Solutions
Need Cantilever Storage for Your Operation?
Material Handling USA designs, supplies, and installs cantilever rack systems for lumber yards, steel service centers, manufacturing facilities, and warehouses nationwide.