What are Cantilever Racks?
Cantilever racking systems are specialised storage solutions designed for oversized, extra-long, and awkward items that won't fit on standard pallet racking. A cantilever rack consists of a single vertical upright with sturdy horizontal arms extending outwards, creating an open-front design with no upright posts at the front - meaning you can store items of virtually any length without obstruction. These cantilever racks typically range from 4-8 metres tall and can handle anywhere from 250 kg per arm for lightweight applications up to more than 1.5 tonnes per arm for heavy-duty cantilever racking. The load capacity is per arm and stacks with every additional arm supporting a pallet. For example, a 6-ton, 8-metre pallet could span across four arms rated at 1.5 tons each.
Not sure if cantilever racking is right for your operation? If you're storing anything longer than 2.4 metres or dealing with awkward shapes that don't fit standard pallets, cantilever systems are likely your best solution.
Use Cases for Cantilever Racking
Cantilever racks unlock unlimited storage possibilities for items that don't fit the standard pallet format. Unlike traditional pallet racking, cantilever racking systems have no length restrictions, making them perfect for storing timber decking, logs, piping, and other lengthy materials that come in non-standard sizes.
Beyond timber and pipes, cantilever systems excel at storing metal sheets, appliances, carpets and fabric rolls, furniture, and countless other bulky items. The key advantage is that materials of virtually any length or shape can be supported - from carpet wholesalers managing large rolls to metal shops storing sheet metal and bar stock. With optional add-ons like wire mesh decks or inclined arms, even items that are somewhat flexible or prone to rolling can be stored securely.
Cantilever racks are typically used in external yards, which is why they're commonly manufactured as galvanised products that stand up against harsh weather conditions including UV light, rain, and corrosion. Most timber storage racks and pipe storage systems feature hot-dip galvanising for maximum durability. A key safety feature of cantilever shelving is the ability to add pins to the end of arms - particularly useful when storing circular items like logs that might otherwise roll off, ensuring your pipe racking or timber racking systems keep materials securely contained within the structure. In every case, cantilever storage racks provide a tailored solution that traditional shelving simply cannot, keeping bulky goods accessible and secure.
is cantilever racking right for your operations?
What Factors Affect Cantilever Racking Pricing?
The cost of cantilever racking is largely determined by its location and installation requirements. Since the 2023 update to AS4084 standards, wind considerations and external factors have increased significantly in pricing calculations. An external cantilever racking system that's freestanding will have completely different capacity and engineering requirements compared to a cantilever rack that's positioned against a wall. Whether you're in Brisbane, Sydney, or anywhere across Australia, local wind ratings will directly impact the system's design and cost.
Primary Industries Using Cantilever Racking
Industries that handle oversized or lengthy SKUs are the primary users of cantilever racking systems. Common workplaces using cantilever racks include ute canopy manufacturing, hot tub and spa facilities, car wreckers, metal fabrication shops, and rebar facilities - essentially any operation dealing with materials typically over 3 metres in length.
Timber Racks
Timber suppliers rely heavily on cantilever racking systems for their extended product ranges, which is why these systems are often referred to as timber racking. Whether it's lumber yards managing timber beams, sawn timber packs, plywood sheets, and MDF boards, or manufacturers dealing with decking materials, timber storage racks provide the structural support needed for heavy wooden products. The arms support the full length of the wood preventing sagging, while the open-front design allows workers to load long timber pieces end-wise or by forklift without obstruction. Heavy-duty cantilever timber racks are engineered for the weight of dense wood, with hot-rolled steel arms capable of holding hundreds of kilograms per level, and entire systems built 6-12 metres high to maximise vertical space. By using cantilever systems as timber storage racks, lumber suppliers keep products organised by size and type whilst ensuring safer handling compared to stacking wood on the ground.
Pipe Racking
Plumbing wholesalers and pipe suppliers depend on specialised pipe storage systems to organise their lengthy inventory. Cantilever pipe racks have arms that cradle each tier of pipes, whether it's plastic PVC plumbing pipe, steel conduit, copper tubing, or even round logs. Because the arms are typically adjustable, you can configure different levels for different pipe diameters or lengths, keeping inventory sorted and preventing damage that occurs when pipes are stacked in piles. A single double-sided cantilever unit can support thousands of kilograms of pipes across its arms - some frames handle up to 5.4 tonnes total load. These pipe storage racks also accommodate other long materials like extrusions, struts, and bar stock, ensuring plumbers and distributors have efficient access to exactly the pipe needed whilst maintaining safe storage where heavy pipes won't roll off or create trip hazards.
Advantages of Cantilever Racking
Cantilever racking systems offer flexibility that goes well beyond just storing lengthy materials. Understanding your configuration options helps ensure you get the most out of your investment in cantilever storage racks.
Single vs Double-Sided Configurations
Choose single-sided when access is needed from only one direction. Double-sided configurations allow loading from both sides and can increase your arm capacity by around 80–90%.
Adjustable Arms for Changing Needs
Arms adjust in 100mm increments to accommodate different material sizes without wasting vertical space.
Safety Features That Matter
Built-in safety features include end stops to prevent materials rolling off and optional column guards for forklift protection.
Modular Expansion Capabilities
Start small and expand by adding bays, longer arms, or extra levels as your business grows.
System Designs & Features
Flexible configurations and the ability to retrofit ensure you get maximum value from your cantilever storage investment.
Why Choose Us for Cantilever Racking Installations?
Flexible Sourcing
An advantage of working with us is that we aren’t tied to any single supplier, so while we recommend the durability and lifespan of Australian-made, we can also offer budget-friendly options, including quality second-hand systems, when they suit your needs. We prefer to use Australian-made steel for our cantilever racking because it’s built tougher than most imported alternatives. Whether you need a new heavy-duty cantilever racking system or repairs to your existing timber racks or pipe storage setup, we’ll give you an impartial assessment and a tailored recommendation to get the right solution for your warehouse.
Outdoor-Ready Solutions
When you're using cantilever shelving systems that are typically installed outdoors, quality becomes even more critical. We specify galvanised bolts, chemical setting anchors, and external fixings designed for environments that don't have traditional concrete slabs - which most external locations don't. These details might seem small, but they add up to significantly greater total quality and longevity for your racking systems.
Competitive Pricing
By working with a diverse range of suppliers, we're able to offer more competitive pricing by quoting across brands. This gives our customers greater value and flexibility for their cantilever racking investment.
Smart Integration
Need to expand your cantilever rack system? We can source components that work seamlessly with what you already have - regardless of current brand and configuration, ensuring your timber racking or pipe storage grows with your business.
Premium Quality Standards
For serious cantilever racking installations, we typically work with Australian suppliers that produce higher grade steel with thicker specifications and superior quality components. These suppliers comply with both Australian standards and international standards, ensuring your cantilever storage racks meet the highest engineering requirements. They use better quality components in everything from the locking pins all the way down to the bolts that secure the system to your floor.
start your cantilever project today
Contact Us for a Free Quote!
Ready to supercharge your warehouse operations? Let's solve your storage challenges with our expert cantilever solutions. From site visit to installation, we'll deliver a system that works from day one.
Our Process : From Enquiry to Installation
We can provide you with an end-to-end racking solution that integrates smoothly into your operations. We can coordinate any engineering certifications or building permits if required, and once installed, your cantilever storage racks are ready to use immediately.
Site Visit & Consultation
After you enquire, we'll come out to your site (or consult remotely if needed) to discuss your space and storage needs, We offer honest advice and start shaping cantilever racking solutions based on your real-world operation.
Site Measure & Consultation
Next, we take detailed measurements and assess your floor plan. From there, we'll sketch out a rack layout that makes the best use of your space and aligns with your workflow.
Design & Product Matching
We'll talk you through cantilever racking designs and options. We match components to fit both your needs and budget, ensuring the right shelving solution for your operation.
Quoting & Scheduling
You'll receive a clear, competitive quote along with realistic lead times. Once approved, we'll schedule installation to suit your timeline.
Installation to Spec
Our experienced team installs the cantilever racking system according to your specifications. All of our installs are done safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to your operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
For additional information regarding our cantilever racking installations or repairs, check out our FAQs Feel free to reach out for more information.
Can we use second-hand cantilever racks?
Absolutely. Our ability to supply used cantilever racking is another significant advantage we have over our competitors. We can source from multiple suppliers of secondhand racking, which means availability determines both the savings you'll achieve and the quality and quantity of used cantilever racks we can provide for your project.
We have excellent connections with multiple secondhand racking suppliers and direct access to their stock, allowing us to offer more budget-friendly cantilever shelving options to customers who want quality timber storage racks or pipe racking systems without the premium price tag. Whether you need used cantilever shelving for a smaller operation or heavy duty cantilever racks for a larger facility, our network of suppliers means we can often find exactly what you're looking for at a fraction of the cost of new systems.
The key is matching the right used cantilever storage racks to your specific requirements - something our experience and supplier relationships make possible where others might struggle to source suitable secondhand options.
What constitutes heavy-duty cantilever racks?
Heavy-duty cantilever racking is typically defined as systems with a capacity of over one ton per arm. Since most cantilever storage solutions require a minimum of two arms per load for proper support and stability, this means heavy duty cantilever racks handle at least two tons per level or per item stored.
These heavy-duty cantilever systems are essential for operations dealing with particularly dense materials like hardwood timber, steel pipes, or other substantial products that exceed the capacity of standard cantilever shelving. Whether you're storing heavy timber on timber storage racks or managing large-diameter pipes on pipe racking systems, heavy duty cantilever racking ensures your storage solution can handle the substantial weight loads that come with industrial-scale operations.
Does cantilever racking need to be bolted down?
Absolutely. Every form of racking that is not basic shelving needs to be bolted down, and cantilever racking potentially even more so than other systems because of the increased capacity and loads it's designed to handle. This is a non-negotiable safety requirement under Australian standards.
Given that heavy duty cantilever racks can handle substantial weights - often 1.5 tons per arm or more - and that timber storage racks and pipe racking systems typically store lengthy, heavy materials, proper floor anchoring is critical for both safety and structural integrity. The cantilever design, with its extended arms and substantial loads, creates significant forces that must be properly transferred to the floor through appropriate bolting systems.
Whether you're installing cantilever shelving indoors or external cantilever storage racks, professional installation with proper floor anchoring is essential to ensure your system meets safety standards and performs reliably under load.
Does cantilever racking need to be anchored?
Yes, cantilever racks need to be anchored to the ground, but no, they actually cannot be anchored to the building. This is a critical distinction that many people get wrong.
It used to be standard practice in Australia for racking systems to be anchored to the actual building structure. However, updated seismic considerations now require that cantilever racking systems must be able to move independently of the building in case of an earthquake. This means your cantilever storage racks, timber racks, or pipe racking systems must be securely anchored to the floor but remain completely separate from any building connections.
This is something we frequently discover during our racking audits - cantilever shelving systems incorrectly connected to buildings, which is actually non-compliant with current Australian standards. Whether you're installing heavy duty cantilever racking or standard cantilever systems, proper ground anchoring without building connections is essential for both safety and compliance.
What's the difference between cantilever racking and pallet racking?
Cantilever racking typically isn't used to store pallets - it's designed for loose items like timber, lumber, and piping that don't come on standard pallets. While cantilever racks can accommodate pallets in certain situations (we've seen it with items like ute canopies or spa pools), or even oversized pallets, this isn't their typical application.
The key difference is in how materials are handled. With pallet racking, products arrive and are stored on pallets as complete units. With cantilever storage racks, products are often loaded individually onto the arms - whether that's timber pieces on timber storage racks or pipes on pipe racking systems. In some cases, products might arrive on pallets initially, but the pallet is then cut away, leaving the individual items on the cantilever shelving to be picked out one by one or all at once as needed.
So while cantilever racking can be used for pallets, it's not typical - these systems really shine when you're dealing with lengthy, awkward, or loose materials that traditional pallet racking simply can't accommodate effectively.
How much weight can cantilever racking hold?
Cantilever racks can be engineered to hold huge weights over great lengths and multiple levels. It wouldn't be uncommon for a cantilever racking system to be rated to hold 20 tons total capacity, with individual arms handling anywhere from 250 kilos up to 1.5 tons each for heavy-duty cantilever racking applications.
How often should cantilever racks be inspected or repaired?
AS4084-2023 update mandates that all racking, no matter its type, be inspected annually. However, we recommend using our safety checklist at least quarterly for regular checks on your cantilever storage racks, timber racks, or pipe racking systems.
