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How much is your pallet rack really costing you?

Hint: It may be more than the initial purchase cost.

Guard Dawg is a rack end guard that wraps around the uprights, protecting them from impact on both front and side. Photo courtesy of Steel King.
Guard Dawg is a rack end guard that wraps around the uprights, protecting them from impact on both front and side. Photo courtesy of Steel King.

Not all rack systems are created equal. From the warehouse environment to the steel gauge to the recipe of the steel itself, the true cost of a pallet rack over the life of the system depends on how much the buyer is willing to invest upfront to ensure high performance and keep maintenance and repairs to a minimum over the long term.

While the dimensions of the rack components certainly contribute to a rack’s capacity rating, many factors can adversely affect its performance and long-term cost. “It is all about price — pay upon initial purchase or pay much more later to upgrade a substandard system to meet requirements,” says Raymond Weber, eastern regional manager at Steel King.

The dimensions and gauge of steel aren’t the only measures of rack quality. When comparing two seemingly identical rack systems — for example, 3-in. columns of the same gauge of steel — profound capacity differences can lead to frequent repairs or replacement.

Consider the following when making a purchase:

·         How much bracing is designed into the system? Inadequate bracing will affect both capacity and impact resistance.

·         How much weld surface connects your uprights and braces? Frames are only as impact resistant as the welds that hold them.

·         Are upright columns a fully closed tube design or the common open-back configuration? A closed tubular column can withstand far more impact.

“These factors lead to a reduction in damage in the event of a collision and a far less likelihood of rack collapse and product loss or worker harm,” Weber says.

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