Pallet Rack Accessories for Warehouse Storage in Ohio (New & Used)

Rack Accessories That Improve Safety, Stability, and Performance

Pallet rack accessories play a critical role in protecting warehouse racking systems and improving overall storage safety. Midwest Material Handling supplies new and used pallet rack accessories for warehouses, distribution centers, and industrial facilities throughout Ohio. These components help reinforce rack structures, support pallet loads, and reduce damage caused by forklift traffic and daily operations. From post protectors and column guards to cross bars and steel decking, pallet rack accessories extend the life of your racking system while improving efficiency and safety on the warehouse floor.

Pallet rack accessories are used to enhance safety and performance within pallet rack systems across a wide range of warehouse applications.

Post Protectors

Post protectors are designed to shield pallet rack uprights from forklift impact and equipment contact at floor level. These accessories install directly in front of rack posts and absorb collisions before force reaches the upright itself. Because damage often occurs near the base of the rack, post protectors play a critical role in preventing structural compromise and costly repairs.

Facilities commonly install post protectors in high-traffic aisles, loading zones, and staging areas where lift trucks operate close to rack systems. By reducing upright damage, post protectors help extend rack life, improve safety, and minimize downtime caused by repairs or inspections.

Column Guards

Column guards provide added protection by attaching directly to pallet rack uprights, shielding vulnerable impact points along the column. Unlike floor-mounted post protectors, column guards move with the rack structure and protect the upright itself from repeated contact.

These guards are especially effective in narrow aisles, end-of-aisle locations, and areas where forklifts frequently turn or maneuver. Column guards help reduce denting, bending, and long-term fatigue of rack uprights, supporting overall system stability and improving warehouse safety.

End-of-Aisle Guards and Rack Protection

End-of-aisle guards provide critical protection for pallet rack uprights located at the front and rear of rack rows. These positions experience some of the highest forklift traffic in a warehouse, making them especially vulnerable to impact during turning, staging, and pallet retrieval. End-of-aisle protection helps prevent direct contact with rack frames, reducing the risk of structural damage and improving overall system safety.

These guards typically wrap around or shield exposed end uprights and anchor securely to the floor. Facilities commonly install end-of-aisle guards in back-to-back rack configurations, high-traffic aisles, and loading or staging zones where lift trucks frequently maneuver. By protecting the most exposed rack locations, end-of-aisle guards help extend rack life, reduce repair costs, and minimize downtime caused by impact damage.

Pallet Rack Fork Clearance Bars (Fork Entry Bar)

Fork clearance bars help protect pallet rack beams and decking by creating a dedicated clearance zone for forklift forks during pallet placement and removal. These bars install between rack beams and act as a visual and physical guide, reducing the risk of forks striking beams, cross bars, or decking components during loading.

Warehouses commonly use fork clearance bars in selective pallet rack systems where operators handle pallets frequently or work in tight aisles. By maintaining consistent fork entry height, these accessories help reduce accidental rack damage, improve loading accuracy, and enhance overall safety. Fork clearance bars are especially useful in high-traffic areas and facilities focused on minimizing rack repairs and downtime caused by forklift contact.

Pallet Stops

Pallet stops help prevent pallets from being pushed too far back on pallet rack beams during loading. These accessories install at the rear of the rack bay and act as a physical barrier, stopping pallets before they contact walls, flue spaces, or adjacent rack rows. By controlling pallet placement, pallet stops help protect both the racking system and stored product.

Warehouses commonly use pallet stops in single-row rack installations, perimeter wall locations, and applications where maintaining rear clearance is critical. These stops also support fire safety requirements by helping preserve flue space behind rack rows. Pallet stops reduce the risk of pallet overhang, product damage, and rack contact, making them a simple but effective addition to pallet rack safety and control.

Pallet Rack Stop Beams

Pallet rack stop beams help control pallet placement by limiting how far loads can be pushed into a rack bay during loading. These beams mount horizontally at the rear of the rack and create a consistent stopping point for pallets, reducing the risk of over-travel and accidental contact with walls, flue spaces, or adjacent rack rows.

Warehouses commonly use pallet rack stop beams in single-row installations, perimeter wall locations, and high-traffic aisles where precise pallet positioning is important. Because stop beams span the width of the bay, they provide uniform protection across multiple pallet positions and work well in operations handling mixed pallet sizes. When installed correctly, pallet rack stop beams improve load control, protect rack structures, and support safer forklift operation throughout the storage system.

Load Backstop Beams

Load backstop beams help prevent pallet loads from being pushed too far back within a pallet rack bay. These beams install horizontally across the rear of the rack and create a continuous stop point that limits pallet travel during loading. By controlling how far pallets can be placed, load backstop beams help protect walls, flue spaces, and adjacent rack rows from impact.

Warehouses commonly use load backstop beams in single-row rack systems, perimeter wall installations, and applications where maintaining consistent rear clearance is required. Unlike individual pallet stops, load backstop beams provide full-width protection across the bay, making them effective for operations handling varied pallet sizes or frequent forklift activity. When properly installed, load backstop beams improve load control, enhance rack safety, and help reduce damage caused by over-travel during pallet placement.

Flanged Cross Bars

Flanged cross bars provide added pallet support by spanning between pallet rack beams and resting on the inside beam flanges. These supports help prevent pallet sagging and reduce stress on rack beams, especially when pallets do not fully span the beam width or when loads vary in size and condition.

Warehouses commonly use flanged cross bars in selective pallet rack systems that store non-standard pallets, lighter-weight loads, or products with inconsistent pallet construction. The flanged design allows the cross bar to sit securely on the beam without permanent attachment, making it easy to install or reposition as storage needs change. By improving load distribution and shelf stability, flanged cross bars enhance safety and help maintain the intended capacity of the pallet rack system.

Unflanged Cross Bars

Unflanged cross bars provide pallet support by spanning directly between pallet rack beams without resting on the beam flange. These supports typically bolt or clip into place, creating a secure connection that helps stabilize pallet loads and reduce beam deflection under weight.

Warehouses often use unflanged cross bars in applications that require a more fixed support solution or where beam styles do not accommodate flanged designs. These cross bars work well in selective pallet rack systems handling consistent pallet sizes, heavier loads, or applications where added rigidity is preferred. By improving load distribution and shelf stability, unflanged cross bars help maintain rack capacity and support safe, long-term system performance.

Row Spacers

Row spacers connect back-to-back pallet rack rows and help maintain proper spacing, alignment, and system rigidity. By tying adjacent rack rows together, row spacers prevent frames from leaning or shifting under load and provide added strength across long runs of racking. These accessories play an important role in keeping pallet rack systems square and stable over time.

Facilities commonly install row spacers in high-bay applications, long rack rows, and environments where rack systems experience heavy loading or frequent forklift activity. Properly sized and spaced row spacers help improve load distribution and support compliance with rack design and safety standards.

Wall Ties

Wall ties secure pallet rack rows directly to a building wall or structural surface, adding lateral stability where back-to-back racking is not used. These accessories help prevent rack movement and reduce the risk of tipping or deflection, especially in single-row rack installations.

Wall ties are often used along perimeter walls, narrow aisles, or areas with limited floor space where additional stability is required. When installed correctly, wall ties enhance rack safety, improve alignment, and support code or engineering requirements for warehouse storage systems.

Steel Shims

Steel shims are used during pallet rack installation to level uprights on uneven concrete floors and ensure proper load distribution throughout the racking system. These thin steel plates install beneath rack base plates to correct floor irregularities and help keep frames plumb and square under load.

Proper shimming plays a critical role in pallet rack safety and performance. Uneven floors can cause racks to lean, place uneven stress on uprights and beams, and reduce the effective capacity of the system. By using steel shims during installation, warehouses improve rack alignment, maintain structural integrity, and support compliance with manufacturer and engineering requirements.

Steel shims are commonly used in combination with anchor bolts and are available in multiple thicknesses to achieve precise leveling. When installed correctly, shims help extend rack life, improve stability, and reduce the risk of long-term damage caused by uneven loading conditions.

Common Uses for Pallet Rack Accessories

Pallet rack accessories are commonly used to improve safety, control pallet placement, and extend the service life of warehouse racking systems. Facilities often install post protectors, column guards, and end-of-aisle protection in high-traffic areas to reduce damage from forklift impact. Cross bars, flanged and unflanged supports, and decking options help stabilize pallet loads and support inconsistent or non-standard pallets.

Many warehouses also rely on pallet stops, stop beams, and load backstop beams to prevent pallets from being pushed too far back into rack bays. Row spacers, wall ties, anchor bolts, and steel shims help maintain rack alignment and stability, especially in long rack runs or facilities with uneven floors. When used together, pallet rack accessories improve operational safety, protect stored inventory, and support long-term system performance.

Safety Enhancements for Pallet Rack Systems

Safety enhancements help reduce risk, protect employees, and support consistent warehouse operations. In addition to structural protection and load-control accessories, many facilities add safety-focused components to improve visibility, traffic control, and rack awareness throughout the storage area.

Common safety enhancements include aisle signage, row markers, and labeling systems that help operators identify rack locations quickly and navigate warehouse layouts more efficiently. Guard rails, bollards, and floor protection components help separate pedestrian traffic from forklift travel paths and reduce the risk of accidental rack impact. When used together, these safety enhancements support safer material handling practices and help maintain an organized, compliant warehouse environment.

New and Used Pallet Rack Accessory Options

Midwest Material Handling offers both new and used pallet rack accessories to support a wide range of warehouse projects and budgets. Used accessories provide a cost-effective option for expanding existing rack systems, replacing damaged components, or supporting temporary storage needs. New accessories offer uniform appearance, consistent specifications, and long-term durability for new installations or full system upgrades.

All used pallet rack accessories are inspected for condition and suitability to ensure dependable performance. Our team can also help match new and used components to existing rack systems, making it easier to maintain compatibility while controlling project costs.

Most Pallet Rack accessories are in-stock and can be shipped with any order and include…