How to Choose Pallet Racking Beams CLICK TO CHAT GET A QUOTE
In another edition of ET-TV, Eric Thovson (ET), Sales Professional at SJF Material Handling, explains what you need to know about measurements and capacities to choose the right pallet racking beams. See our Rack Type Identification Guide page for more information.
What Size Cross Beams Do I Need?
Have questions about which pallet rack beam is right for you? Here are a few helpful hints.
How Do I Measure Pallet Rack Cross Beams?
Pallet racking cross beam sizes are calculated by measuring the length and the height of the beam itself. One thing to remember is that the length of the beam does not include the clips at the ends. The safest way to measure for the correct beam length is to measure the distance between your uprights. This will ensure that you get the correct length for the beam.
Beams come in many sizes and the most common lengths are 4’, 8’, 9’, 10’ and 12’. These beam sizes fit common pallet sizes.
As a rule, 8’ beams are great for standard pallet racking because they fit two pallets on a shelf. If you need to go to a 12’ beam, you can put three pallets on a shelf. SJF carries many other sizes of pallet racking beams for any project.
Another key measurement is the beam face, which is the side of the beam that faces out, or height of the beam. The taller the face, the more capacity the beam will have. Common beam heights are 3”, 4”, 5” and 6”.
What Beam Capacity Do I Need?
The first thing to remember is that the longer the beam is, the more likely it is to deflect or sag when you place weight in the middle. So you need an even distribution of weight across the length of the beam. The thicker or taller the beam face, the more capacity the beam will have. We have beams that go all the way up to 11,000 lbs. capacity and beams as light as 2,500 lbs. capacity, depending on what you need.
If you need a beam in any size, any capacity, SJF is the place to find them. Give us a call and one of our sales professionals well help you figure out what you need.