Warehouse racking and automation installation · The Nordics and all of Europe
Installation type 05
Push-back racking (LIFO)
Push-back racking stores several pallets deep from one aisle. We set the rail slope and carts precisely, so pallets move smoothly and stop where they should.
How it works
Pallets stand on carts one behind the other. A new pallet pushes the earlier ones deeper; picking is from the same side.
Where it fits
Many pallets of the same product, little space.
What we install
- Push-back lanes 2–5 pallets deep
- Carts and inclined rails
- Combined with standard pallet racking
What LIFO means
Last in, first out
LIFO stands for last in, first out: the pallet you put away last is the one you take out first. Pallets stand on carts on slightly inclined rails, usually two to five deep. The forklift puts a new pallet in from the front and pushes the earlier ones deeper into the lane. When you take the front pallet, the next one rolls forward by itself. Loading and picking happen from the same aisle.
Why it is used
To fit more pallets on the same floor area. Instead of an aisle in front of every rack row there is one service aisle, and pallets stand several deep. It works where there are many pallets of the same product and the order of dates does not matter.
Advantages
- More pallet locations than standard racking on the same area
- One service aisle instead of several
- The forklift does not drive into the rack, so less damage than drive-in
- A standard forklift is enough
- Each lane can hold a different product
Disadvantages
- No FIFO order, so not for goods with a short shelf life
- Only the front pallet in a lane is accessible
- More expensive than standard pallet racking
- Limited lane depth
- Needs good pallets and precise installation: rail slope and carts must be set exactly, or pallets stop or hit too hard
Where it fits: cold and freezer stores, beverages, building materials, production buffers. When the best-before date matters, pallet flow racking (FIFO) is better: loaded from one side, picked from the other.
Got a project? Send the drawings – we’ll prepare a quote.
Projects of 20,000 to 60,000 man-hours are everyday work for us. Attach drawings, a bill of materials or installation instructions.
