Mobile Pallet Racking FAQs
We’ve answered some of the most popular questions about mobile pallet racking below.
For any other queries, or to get a quote for mobile racking, please call us on 0845 689 1300.
What Is Mobile Racking?
Mobile racking, also known as mobile shelving or rolling racking, is a storage system in which the racking units are mounted on motorised or manually operated bases that move along floor-fixed tracks. This allows the rows to be compacted together when not in use and opened individually to create a single access aisle wherever it is needed, significantly increasing the storage capacity of a given space.
How Does Mobile Racking Work?
Each racking unit sits on a wheeled carriage that runs along rails set into or fixed to the warehouse floor. The carriages are moved either manually using a handle and gear mechanism, or automatically via an electric motor controlled by a push-button panel or remote system. When you need to access a particular row, you simply open that aisle by moving the adjacent units apart, then close it again once you are done.
How Much Extra Storage Can Mobile Racking Provide?
Mobile racking can increase usable storage capacity by up to 80 percent compared to conventional static racking in the same footprint. Because only one aisle needs to be open at any one time, the space normally taken up by multiple fixed aisles is recovered and converted into additional storage. For warehouses and storage facilities where floor space is at a premium, this can make a significant difference to operational efficiency.
What Are The Main Benefits Of Mobile Racking?
The primary benefit is the dramatic increase in storage density without the need to expand your building or relocate to larger premises. Mobile racking also offers direct access to every pallet or product, unlike drive-in systems which operate on a LIFO basis. Additional benefits include improved stock visibility, better organisation and a tidier, safer working environment. For businesses paying a high cost per square metre, the return on investment can be substantial.
What Is The Difference Between Mobile Racking And Static Racking?
Static racking has fixed uprights and aisles that remain in position permanently, which means a large proportion of your warehouse floor is given over to access space rather than storage. Mobile racking uses the same racking components but mounts them on moving bases, so the aisles are created on demand. Static racking offers slightly faster access since all aisles are always open, but mobile racking delivers far greater storage density within the same area.
Is Mobile Racking Suitable For A Cold Store Or Freezer Warehouse?
Yes. Mobile racking is well suited to temperature-controlled environments including cold stores and freezer warehouses, where the cost of refrigerated space makes high-density storage particularly valuable. Logical Storage Solutions can specify systems designed to operate reliably in low-temperature conditions, with appropriate motors, controls and materials to ensure long-term performance.
What Types Of Products Are Best Suited To Mobile Racking?
Mobile racking is suitable for a wide range of goods including palletised products, archive files, pharmaceutical stock, food and beverage products and retail back-of-house storage. It is particularly well suited to environments where a large number of different product lines need to be stored with direct individual access and where space efficiency is a priority.
Can Mobile Racking Be Installed In An Existing Warehouse?
In most cases, yes. Mobile racking can be retrofitted into an existing warehouse provided the floor is of sufficient strength and flatness to accommodate the track and carriage system.
Logical Storage Solutions carries out a full site survey prior to any installation to assess floor loading capacity, floor levelness and any structural considerations, ensuring the system is designed to suit your specific building and operational requirements.
Does My Floor Need To Meet Specific Requirements For Mobile Racking?
Yes. Because mobile racking systems are significantly heavier than conventional static racking (particularly when fully loaded with palletised goods), the floor needs to meet certain requirements before installation can go ahead. The two main considerations are floor strength and floor levelness.
Floor strength refers to the load-bearing capacity of the concrete slab, measured in kilonewtons per square metre. Mobile racking concentrates a large amount of weight onto a relatively small number of rail fixing points, so the slab needs to be capable of handling those localised loads safely. Floor levelness matters because the racking units run on rails and need to move smoothly and consistently. An uneven floor can affect how the system operates and, in some cases, requires remedial work before installation can begin.
As part of every mobile racking project, Logical Storage Solutions carries out a full site survey to assess floor loading capacity, levelness and any other structural considerations specific to your building. Where the floor does not meet the required specification, we will advise on the remedial options available before any work begins. In most existing warehouses the floor is perfectly suitable, but it is always worth confirming this at the earliest stage of the project.
What Is The Difference Between Motorised And Manual Mobile Racking?
Mobile racking is available in two main configurations: motorised and manual. In a motorised system, each racking unit is fitted with an electric motor and moved via a push-button panel or remote control, making it the more practical choice for heavier pallet loads and high-frequency access. Manual systems use a handle and gear mechanism to move the units by hand, which works well for lighter loads such as archive boxes, retail stock or pharmaceutical products where access is less frequent. Both configurations operate on the same principle of floor-fixed rails and a single moveable aisle, and both are available from Logical Storage Solutions. The right choice depends on the weight of your loads, how often you need to access the racking and the overall scale of your installation.
What Is The Difference Between Mobile Shelving And Mobile Pallet Racking?
Mobile shelving and mobile pallet racking operate on the same principle. However, they are designed for different load types and environments.
Mobile shelving typically refers to lighter-duty systems used for archive storage, files, retail back-of-house stock and smaller products that do not require forklift access.
In contrast, mobile pallet racking is a heavy-duty version of the same concept, built to handle palletised loads and designed to be operated alongside counterbalance or reach trucks.
At Logical Storage Solutions, we supply and install mobile pallet racking systems for warehouse and distribution environments. If you are looking for a lighter-duty mobile shelving solution, we can advise on the most suitable system for your requirements.
How Do I Know If Mobile Racking Is The Right Solution For My Business?
Mobile racking tends to be the right choice when you are running out of storage space but cannot or do not want to move to larger premises, when you need direct access to all stored items and when the cost of your floor space makes a high-density solution worthwhile.
If you are unsure whether mobile racking is the best fit for your operation, the team at Logical Storage Solutions can carry out a free storage assessment and recommend the most suitable system based on your products, throughput and available space.
