Cantilever Rack in Illinois
Cantilever rack has no front columns. Arms extend from a single row of uprights, so you can store long, bulky, or irregularly shaped items without fighting a frame. Lumber, pipe, steel bar, furniture, boats — anything that doesn't sit nicely on a 48x40 pallet belongs on cantilever. Chicago is the undisputed freight capital of North America. More rail freight passes through Chicago than any other city on the continent. The I-55, I-80, and I-88 corridors south and west of the city contain one of the densest concentrations of warehouses and distribution centers in the world.
Learn more about cantilever rack in Illinois ↓Cantilever Rack Suppliers in Illinois (4)
AK Material Handling
AK Material Handling is a distributor of pallet rack shelving lockers and warehouse equipment offering design and installation services.
Interlake Mecalux
Interlake Mecalux is among the leading companies in the storage systems market specializing in the design manufacturing and sale of steel racking warehouse automation and warehouse management software.
REB Storage Systems International
REB Storage Systems International has been a trusted name in rack and shelving system design and installation since 1962 with installers located throughout the country.
West Suburban Innovative Storage
Warehouse shelving and storage rack supplier serving Minneapolis/St. Paul for 25+ years. Offers pallet racking, cantilever racks, wire shelving, mezzanines, and professional installation services.
When to Choose Cantilever Rack
- ✓Your product is longer than a standard pallet (lumber, pipe, tubing, bar stock)
- ✓Loads are bulky or irregularly shaped and don't palletize well
- ✓You need to load and unload from the front without obstructions
- ✓Forklift operators handle items of varying lengths throughout the day
- ✓You want adjustable arm heights to accommodate changing inventory mix
Key Specs to Ask About
- •Arm length (determines max load depth — 24" to 72" is typical)
- •Arm capacity (rated per arm, not per level — 500 to 5,000+ lbs)
- •Column height and base depth (taller rack needs deeper bases for stability)
- •Single-sided vs. double-sided configuration
- •Arm pitch — spacing between bolt holes determines height adjustability
- •Bracing type (X-bracing vs. horizontal only) affects lateral stability
How It Compares
| Factor | Cantilever Rack | Selective Rack |
|---|---|---|
| Load type | Long, bulky, irregularly shaped | Standard pallets (48x40) |
| Front columns | None — clear front access | Columns on both sides of each bay |
| Arm adjustability | Height adjustable via bolt holes | Beam levels adjustable via teardrop slots |
| Typical use | Lumber, pipe, furniture, bar stock | Palletized goods in distribution |
| Cost per position | $$$ (heavier steel, fewer positions per foot) | $ (most economical per pallet) |
Cantilever is designed for items that don't fit on pallets — long stock, bulky shapes, and oversized items. If your product palletizes well, selective rack is cheaper and more efficient. If it doesn't palletize well, cantilever is the answer.
Every day, approximately 500 freight trains pass through the Chicago metro area. That's more than any other city in the world. The rail yards around Joliet and Elwood are why there's a warehouse every quarter mile along I-55.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much weight can a cantilever arm hold?
What's the difference between structural and roll-formed cantilever?
Can I store pallets on cantilever rack?
How many cantilever rack suppliers are in Illinois?
The longest piece of dimensional lumber ever milled was a Douglas fir measuring 126 feet — roughly the length of a Boeing 737. Good luck fitting that on a standard pallet.
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