Push Back Rack in Illinois
Push back rack gives you 2-6 pallets deep in a LIFO configuration, all loaded and retrieved from the same aisle face. Each pallet sits on a nested cart; when you push a new pallet in, it nudges the ones behind it back on inclined rails. Pull a pallet out, and the next one rolls forward. No driving into the rack structure required. 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 push back rack in Illinois ↓Push Back Rack Suppliers in Illinois (4)
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.
Mallard Manufacturing Corporation
Mallard Manufacturing is a premier gravity flow rack systems manufacturer operating two state-of-the-art facilities. They specialize in pallet flow carton flow push-back rack and gravity conveyor systems with nationwide sales and support.
Rack Builders Inc.
Rack Builders designs and manufactures structural storage rack systems built to RMI specifications by licensed structural engineers. They specialize in selective push-back pallet flow and carton flow systems.
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.
When to Choose Push Back Rack
- ✓You need more density than selective rack but don't want forklifts driving into the structure
- ✓LIFO rotation is acceptable for your product
- ✓You have multiple SKUs that each need 2-6 pallets of depth
- ✓Your facility has limited aisle space and you need to maximize storage per face
- ✓You want a higher-density option that's less prone to forklift damage than drive-in
Key Specs to Ask About
- •Lane depth (2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 pallets deep)
- •Cart type and capacity (steel or poly, rated per pallet weight)
- •Rail pitch (slope angle — determines gravity return speed)
- •Pallet weight range (affects cart and rail sizing)
- •Rack frame type (structural is common for push back due to concentrated loads)
- •Safety stops and lane guides
How It Compares
| Factor | Push Back Rack | Pallet Flow Rack |
|---|---|---|
| Inventory rotation | LIFO (last in, first out) | FIFO (first in, first out) |
| Max depth | 2-6 pallets | 5-20+ pallets |
| Loading | Load and pick from same aisle face | Load from back, pick from front |
| Mechanism | Nested carts on inclined rails | Gravity roller conveyors |
| Cost per position | $$ | $$$ |
| Maintenance | Moderate — cart rails need occasional attention | Higher — rollers and brakes |
Push back is LIFO, shallower, and cheaper. Pallet flow is FIFO, goes deeper, and costs more. If your product has expiration dates or lot control requirements, pallet flow is the answer. If rotation doesn't matter and you just need density from the aisle face, push back is simpler.
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 many pallets deep can push back go?
Is push back rack safe?
Can I mix push back and selective in the same system?
How many push back rack suppliers are in Illinois?
Push back carts ride rails pitched at about 3 degrees — the same slope as a wheelchair ramp. But instead of a person in a chair, it's a 2,800 lb pallet acting like a gravity-powered bobsled.
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