Pallet Rack Uprights-Teardrop, Keystone, New and Used. Columbus, Ohio

PALLET RACK UPRIGHTS

Pallet Rack Uprights, like Beams come in a wide range of different heights, depths and capacities. They are constructed in both open and closed (heavier weight capacities) tubular column designs with open style being, by far the most common as they are less expensive. Uprights have traditionally always been fully welded… vertical and horizontal crossmembers have been welded to the Upright columns. Fully welded Uprights have been around for decades, due to their durable and effective design, little has changed. Pallet Rack Uprights also come in a wide range of styles, with Teardrop Style being the most popular and realistically, the only style we sell any more.

UPRIGHT IN-STOCK SIZES

• Standard in-stock Upright Heights: 96”, 120”, 144”, 168” and 192” and 240” heights

• Standard in-stock Upright Depths: 24”, 36”, 42” and 48” heights

• Standard Upright capacities: from 15,000 to up to 30,000 lbs.

Standard column dimensions are: 3” x 1 5/8”, 3″ x 2.69″ (Interlake-Mecalux Bolted) and 3” x 3”. Upright columns are both open (similar to a “U”) and closed in design. Due to the design of the closed tube Upright, they have greater capacities but are generally more expensive.

Pallet Rack Upright Weight and capacity ratings… how are determined?

One confusing question we get often is relating the the weight ratings on Pallet Rack Uprights. Capacities for all sizes vary from Manufacturer to Manufacturer based on their individual methods of load testing.

For example, one Manufacturer may rate the capacity of a similar 3” x 1 5/8” Upright at 15,600 lbs. and another at a 19,130 lbs. capacity (and others in between). Even though the design may be the same on both, a major factor in these differing capacity ratings is Vertical Beam Spacing. Vertical Beam Spacing (or VBS) is the spacing between Beams or shelves on a rack. Generally, load ratings are determined at a 48″ (which is the size of a standard pallet) VBS. The higher the VBS, the lower the rated capacity. Conversely, the lower the VBS, or the closer together the shelves are, the higher the rated capacity.

One additional difference in the capacity ratings for Uprights is the gauge of the steel and the simple number of “bends” the manufacturer uses in the manufacturing process.

Most manufacturers post a chart of load ratings at different vertical beam spacings. Click here for an example of a Ridg-U-Rak Upright capacity chart (note the significant increased capacities with an additional “bend” or “turn” at the end of each Upright).

Standard Upright depths (front-to-back) are 24”D, 36”D, 42”D and 48”D. Of course, any size (height, depth and capacity) of Upright can be ordered, the drawback is an often times lengthy lead time!

BOLTED Pallet Rack UPRIGHTS

More recently, Interlake-Mecalux has introduced a new “bolted design” which has become quite popular due primarily to cost. These Uprights incorporate the horizontal and vertical cross members (which are constructed of galvanized steel) to be bolted to the roll formed columns. These bolted columns are generally 3″W x 2.69″L. These Uprights are not welded in any way, even the foot assemblies are bolted on (they are constructed of galvanized steel are are larger than a standard foot plate on a welded Upright).

One unique aspect of this design is it allows for the user to easily repair the Upright by simply replacing the single damaged column. From a cost perspective, bolted Uprights are priced similarly to a lower capacity, 3″ x 1 5/8″ column size all-welded Upright.

Seismic Pallet Racking Uprights

For our national customers in seismic regions where ground movement occurs (generally in the western U.S., as well as the central area of the midwest including southern Illinois, western Kentucky, western Tennessee, eastern Missouri, eastern Arkansas and globally in the Pacific Rim), we offer a specifically designed seismic Uprights and Beams which takes into account multiple environmental factors when designed to prevent damage during seismic events.

One feature of a seismic Upright is the inclusion an oversized footplate, designed larger and thicker than standard footplates. We provide these seismic footplates many times to Customers in non-seismic areas who just want a larger, thicker footplate for enhanced protection from damage or have unlevel or non flat surfaces.