Shuttle Pallet Racking FAQs
We’ve answered some of the most popular questions about shuttle pallet racking below.
For any other queries or to get a quote for shuttle pallet racking, please call us on 0845 689 1300.
What Is Shuttle Pallet Racking?
Shuttle pallet racking is a semi-automated high-density storage system in which a motorised shuttle cart runs along rails inside the racking lanes to transport pallets to and from the loading face. Rather than a forklift driving into the racking structure, the shuttle does the work of moving pallets deep into the lane, which reduces equipment wear, improves safety and allows for much deeper and more compact storage configurations than traditional drive-in systems.
How Does Shuttle Pallet Racking Work?
The shuttle is a battery-powered cart that sits on the rails within each racking lane. The operator uses a forklift to place a pallet at the front of the lane and then uses a remote control to send the shuttle into the lane to collect and position the pallet in the correct location. For retrieval, the process is reversed. The shuttle brings the pallet to the front of the lane where the forklift can collect it, eliminating the need for the forklift to enter the racking structure at all.
What Is The Difference Between Shuttle Racking And Drive-In Racking?
Both systems are designed for high-density storage of single SKUs in deep lanes, but the key difference is how pallets are moved within the lane. In drive-in racking, the forklift physically enters the structure to place and retrieve pallets. However, in shuttle racking, the forklift stays outside the structure and the motorised shuttle handles all internal movement, resulting in a safer, more efficient and lower-maintenance system.
What Are The Main Advantages Of Shuttle Pallet Racking?
Shuttle racking offers several significant advantages over conventional storage systems. It delivers exceptional storage density by eliminating the need for internal access aisles, reduces the risk of racking damage since forklifts never enter the structure, improves operator safety and increases throughput speeds compared to manual drive-in systems. The ability to handle both FIFO and LIFO rotation also makes it a versatile option across a wide range of industries and product types.
What Products Are Best Suited To Shuttle Pallet Racking?
Shuttle racking is best suited to operations that store large quantities of a small number of SKUs. It is widely used in the food and beverage sector, cold store and freezer warehouses, manufacturing facilities and distribution centres handling high volumes of uniform palletised goods. If your operation involves a large variety of product lines with different rotation requirements, a different racking solution, such as selective or mobile racking, may be more appropriate.
