New & Used Pallet Racking in Ohio

From a buyer’s perspective, deciding between used and new pallet rack can be confusing. Let’s first discuss the advantages of purchasing used equipment. Obviously, the primary consideration when purchasing used equipment is cost. A secondary, but equally important benefit is that used equipment is often available immediately, which can save both time and freight costs.

Many buyers assume that purchasing used pallet racking and wire decking is similar to purchasing a used car, with savings of 50% or 60% compared with new equipment. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case.

But why?

When we purchase used equipment from a seller, the vast majority of the time the racking is still standing and needs to be dismantled. Once we send a crew in to disassemble the rack, it needs to be stacked, banded and prepared for shipment. The used pallet rack then needs to be transported to our location, typically by flatbed truck.

Due to the size and length of pallet racking and wire decking, used material is generally stored outside. Over time, the powder-coated finish can begin to rust and oxidize. Many buyers have little concern about discoloration or cosmetic appearance and are primarily interested in getting quality equipment that works. When all of these factors are considered, the savings between new and used pallet rack are often in the range of 15% to 20%.

One other very important consideration is the condition of used upright frames. Historically, we have rarely sold used pallet rack uprights because many have some type of column damage. In our experience, forklift forks or pallets commonly damage the lower 12 to 24 inches of the front upright columns.

If an upright has a significant ding, dent or other structural damage, buyer beware. Damage to an upright can compromise its structural integrity, and we will not sell upright frames that we believe are unsafe or unsuitable for use. There are sellers who may offer damaged uprights, but that’s not something we are willing to do.

While we stock and sell a significant amount of used equipment, primarily pallet rack and wire decking, we are selective about the used material we offer for sale. We typically sell used material that is in very good overall condition, generally rated 8-9 condition out of 10. We do not sell used material that falls below our condition standards.

All of our used pallet rack is inspected when it arrives at our facility. We assign a condition rating and include that information in our proposals so you know what condition you are buying.

When the rack cannot be viewed in person, we can provide photos so you can see the actual material before purchasing. We want our customers to know exactly what they are getting.

In some cases, new pallet rack can actually be surprisingly competitive with used equipment, particularly when new material is readily available. We also stock new wire decking, with many of our wire deck panels manufactured right here in Columbus, Ohio. If you are local, pick it up and save the freight.

Absolutely not! Pallet rack is relatively straightforward to assemble, and many of our customers install smaller systems themselves. The beams lock into the upright frames using the beam connectors and safety clips, and a rubber mallet is typically all that is needed for assembly.

Larger or taller systems generally require two or more people to safely position the upright frames and beams. The longer and heavier the components, the more important it is to have enough people and the proper equipment to handle them safely.

Pallet rack can also be dismantled and relocated if your storage needs change. This flexibility is one of the advantages of adjustable pallet racking.

Proper installation is important, particularly for larger systems. Uprights should be installed, leveled and anchored according to the rack manufacturer’s specifications and applicable requirements for the installation. If you would rather have the work done for you, Midwest Material Handling offers professional pallet rack installation and dismantling services.

We work with pallet rack and wire decking from many of the major manufacturers used in warehouses throughout Ohio and across the country.

Some of the manufacturers and brands we regularly work with include Interlake-Mecalux, Husky Rack & Wire, Ridg-U-Rak, Unarco, Steel King, Penco, Speedrack and others.

We also work with both new and used pallet rack components, so if you’re trying to expand an existing system or replace damaged beams or uprights, we can help identify what you have and determine which components are compatible.

If you’re not sure what manufacturer or style of pallet rack you have, send us a few photos. We can often identify the rack from the beam connection, upright hole pattern and other identifying features.

Visit our Pallet Rack Identification Guide to learn more about identifying your existing rack.

Simply measure from the inside of Upright column to inside of Upright column.

Pallet rack beam capacity depends on several factors, including the beam length, beam profile, material and the way the beam is loaded. Longer beams generally have lower capacities than shorter beams of the same profile.

Beam capacities are normally based on a pair of beams supporting a uniformly distributed load. The capacity rating applies to the specific beam configuration and should not be assumed to apply to a different beam length, profile or loading condition.

When determining the capacity of an existing pallet rack system, it is important to identify the beam manufacturer, beam length and beam profile. If you are unsure about the capacity of your pallet rack beams, Midwest Material Handling can help identify the components and determine what information is needed to properly evaluate the system.

No. Pallet rack beams are not all interchangeable. Compatibility depends on the type of rack, the beam connection and the upright design.

Standard teardrop pallet rack is generally the most interchangeable style. Many manufacturers use a common teardrop connection, allowing beams from different manufacturers to work with compatible teardrop upright frames. However, there can be differences between manufacturers and rack generations, so compatibility should always be confirmed before mixing components.

Other pallet rack styles use proprietary connections that are not interchangeable with standard teardrop rack. Keystone, structural and other older or manufacturer-specific systems may require matching beams and upright frames.

Interlake is a good example of why identification matters. Some Interlake systems use a New Style connection that is different from traditional teardrop rack. A beam that appears similar may not be compatible with a particular upright.

Send us photos of the upright and beam connection, along with the beam length and upright dimensions, and we can help determine what you have and what components are compatible. You can also use our Pallet Rack Identification Guide to compare common rack styles and connections.

Keystone pallet rack is still in use in many existing warehouse systems, but it is no longer widely manufactured. Keystone components are produced by only a limited number of manufacturers and are typically manufactured only a few times each year.

Because availability can be limited, it is important to properly identify your existing rack before looking for replacement or additional components. If you have Keystone pallet rack and need additional beams, uprights or other components, we can help determine what you have and what options may be available.

A 96 inch pallet rack beam is one of the most common beam lengths we sell. A 96 inch beam can typically accommodate two standard 48 inch long pallets side by side, with the appropriate clearance between the pallets and the uprights.

Other common beam lengths include 4, 8, 9, 10 and 12 feet.

Some of the most common pallet rack upright heights we sell are 96″, 144″ and 192″. Other heights are also available depending on the application and the amount of vertical storage space available.

The right upright height depends on your building height, pallet dimensions, required storage levels, forklift capabilities and any clearance requirements above the stored pallets.

For example, a 96″ upright may be appropriate for a smaller storage application, while 144″ or 192″ uprights can provide additional vertical storage in facilities with sufficient building height.

If you’re adding to an existing pallet rack system, it is important to match the new uprights to the existing system and consider the required beam elevations and load capacity.

A 42 inch deep upright is one of the most common depths we sell and is a good fit for many standard 46″-48″ deep pallets. The rack depth provides adequate support while allowing the pallet to extend slightly beyond the front and rear of the rack (which is by design).

The correct upright depth depends on the actual pallet dimensions, pallet construction and the way the pallets will be stored.

We use a 1/2” x 4” wedge Anchor with washer and nut. For Post Protectors, we use a 1/2″ x 4.25″ wedge anchor with washer and nut. Simpson Strong Tie Anchors can also be used which are more expensive but speeds up installation.

The age-old question… While it is impossible to totally prevent this type of damage from occurring (short of improved forklift operator training), we have found that while many products exist in the marketplace to try to prevent damage, the basic 12”H, 18”H or 24”H Steel Protector works the best! They are probably also the least expensive method to protect Uprights from damage.

Yes. A beam level can be installed near or at the top of the upright frame as long as the rack is designed and installed according to the manufacturer’s requirements and the required clearances are maintained.

Putting the top beam level at the top level on the upright can also help maximize your available horizontal storage space.

Yes. All new Beams include safety clips which vary in design from Manufacturer to manufacturer. For USED Beams we suggest a nut and bolt, which is the safest, most assured way to preventing a Beam from becoming dislodged.

Safety clips are an important part of the beam-to-upright connection and should be properly installed before the rack is placed into service.

One important, but often overlooked detail is to include the width of the upright frames in your overall layout. The vast majority of the pallet rack uprights we sell have a 3 inch column width.

For example, if you are installing two 96 inch pallet rack sections side by side, you will have three upright frames. The two 96 inch beam lengths total 192 inches, and the three 3 inch upright columns add another 9 inches, for a total overall length of 201 inches, or 16 feet 9 inches.

When planning your pallet rack layout, remember to account for the upright width along with the beam lengths. This can make a significant difference when determining how much rack will fit in the available space.

Pallet rack can be shipped by LTL freight or flatbed, depending on the size of the order and where it is going. For larger pallet rack orders, flatbed delivery is often the easiest and most economical option because the material can be loaded and unloaded efficiently while reducing the amount of handling.

We have worked with the same local cartage company for nearly 30 years and also have relationships with freight carriers and third-party logistics providers throughout the country. We can help determine the most practical and economical way to get your pallet rack delivered.

If you’re located near our Central Ohio warehouse, local pickup is often the best option. You can pick up your pallet rack and SAVE THE FREIGHT!

For customers outside the local area, we’ll work with you to arrange delivery to your facility.

We work hard to keep our pallet rack pricing competitive by keeping our overhead and freight costs under control. One of the biggest differences is that we do not mark up freight. When we arrange delivery, you pay the actual freight cost rather than an inflated freight charge.

Freight can represent a significant portion of the total cost of a pallet rack order, particularly when shipping long and heavy components. That’s why local pickup can be such a good value. If you’re able to pick up your order at our Central Ohio warehouse, you can eliminate the freight cost altogether.

We also maintain a large inventory of new and used pallet rack components, allowing us to offer many common sizes without waiting for a long manufacturing lead time.

If you’re comparing pallet rack prices, ask us for a quote. We’ll give you the equipment cost and the actual freight cost so you can see exactly what you’re paying.

A common member upright is an upright frame that supports pallet rack beams on both sides. Instead of having a separate upright at each end of every rack section, the middle upright is shared by the two adjacent sections.

For example, a row with two pallet rack sections requires three upright frames. The two outside uprights support one side of the row, while the center upright acts as the common member between the two sections.

This configuration allows multiple pallet rack sections to be connected in a continuous row while using fewer upright frames.

When planning a pallet rack layout, understanding common member uprights is important because the number of uprights affects both the overall length of the rack and the number of components you need.