Standard
pallet racking gives every pallet its own accessible position, but that comes at a cost: an aisle in front of every single row. Push back racking trades some of that direct access for serious extra capacity, by letting pallets nest behind each other on rolling carts instead of sitting side by side in open bays.
How push back racking actually works
Each lane holds a set of nested carts on rails, angled slightly downward. When a forklift loads a new pallet, it pushes the pallets already in the lane backward, deeper into the racking. To retrieve stock, the front pallet is removed and gravity rolls the next one forward automatically. A single lane can typically hold two to six pallets deep, all served by one aisle.
Where the capacity gain comes from
Because pallets sit two, three, or more deep per lane, push back racking needs far fewer aisles than standard selective racking to store the same volume. For warehouses with limited floor space and a reasonably uniform product range, that can translate into a significant increase in pallet positions within an identical footprint.
The trade-off: selectivity and stock rotation
Push back racking works on a last-in, first-out basis within each lane. That’s fine for stock that doesn’t need strict rotation, but it’s a poor fit for anything with expiry dates or a first-in, first-out requirement, since the oldest pallet in a lane is the hardest one to reach. It’s also less forgiving of mixed or irregular pallet sizes than standard racking.
Where it earns its place
Push back racking tends to make the most sense for warehouses storing a moderate variety of SKUs with decent volume per product, where floor space is tight and strict rotation isn’t critical. It’s a common middle ground between the simplicity of standard racking and the higher cost and complexity of automated shuttle systems.
Maintenance is part of the deal
The carts and rails that make push back racking work are moving mechanical parts, and they need occasional inspection and upkeep to keep running smoothly. That’s a genuine ongoing consideration compared to the largely maintenance-free nature of static selective racking.
And finally…
Push back racking isn’t the right answer everywhere, but where floor space is limited and stock rotation isn’t a strict requirement, it’s one of the more cost-effective ways to add real capacity without adding aisles.
If you’re weighing up push back racking against other high-density options, Rackline can help you work out what fits. Call us:
01782 770144, email
info@rackline.co.uk, or get in touch via the form below.
