Pallet Flow — Automatic Gravity-Fed Warehouse Storage
The UNARCO RACKING Pallet Flow Rack system operates purely on natural gravity, converting floor space into dense, highly organized storage lanes. Unlike static selective rack or high-wear drive-in systems, pallets are loaded from the rear replenish aisle and glide forward smoothly to the pick face.
How Pallet Flow Works
Pallets load at the charge aisle and glide on sloped gravity lanes to the discharge face at safe, controlled speeds.
Pallet Flow Pick Modules
Engineered multi-tier systems feeding active case picking, carton flow, and automated take-away conveyors seamlessly.
Heavy-Duty Skate Wheels
Zinc-plated metal skate wheels designed with precision shielded bearings for standard GMA wooden pallet applications.
Wide-Roller & Specialized Flow
Continuous full-width steel rollers up to 54 inches wide for plastic pallets, wire baskets, and heavy corrugated bins.
Engineered for Strict FIFO Rotation and Peak Productivity
For operations handling perishable inventory, food & beverage distributions, pharmaceuticals, and fast-moving consumer packaged goods, UNARCO RACKING Pallet Flow ensures strict first-in/first-out (FIFO) rotation automatically. Pallets loaded first are consistently retrieved first at the front discharge aisle, completely eliminating manual staging errors.
Smooth-rolling skate wheels and full-width rollers arrive factory-assembled on heavy-duty structural or roll-formed side rails. Drop-in lane integration allows direct bolting into step beams with heavy-duty Tek screws. At the picking face, structural steel end stops halt incoming pallets securely, presenting perfect alignment to lift trucks and autonomous AGVs.
Deep Lane Storage — Up to 20 Pallets Deep
There is virtually no ceiling on lane length. UNARCO RACKING engineers incorporate centrifugal speed controllers, electro-mechanical speed retarders, and pneumatic separator gates to control pallet velocity regardless of elevation or extreme load weight variations.
In-Line, Staggered Wheels & Full-Width Rollers
Every inventory load profile behaves differently on sloped pitch. To deliver flawless flow without jams or runaway speeds, UNARCO RACKING tests actual customer pallets in-house to verify the exact lane angle (typically 3/8″ to 1/2″ pitch per foot).
- Skate wheels configured on 2″, 3″, or 4″ centers for uniform weight distribution
- Staggered wheel arrays engineered for loads exceeding 3,000 lbs (1,360 kg)
- Full-width rollers up to 54″ wide for steel containers and footed plastic skids
- Pre-galvanized track finishes and corrosion-resistant hardware for harsh cold stores
- Safety pallet ramp separators to relieve line pressure at discharge
- Fabricated in certified compliance with ANSI MH16.1 / RMI standard codes
Why Overseas Buyers & Integrators Specify UNARCO RACKING Pallet Flow
Double Storage Density
Consolidate massive pallet storage into half the physical footprint by converting multiple operating aisles into high-capacity gravity storage lanes.
Zero Power Consumption
Powered entirely by gravity. Operates with zero motor drives or electrical consumption, drastically lowering building operational costs.
Minimized Forklift Travel
Separating charge aisles from discharge aisles prevents forklift bottlenecks, reduces cycle times, and minimizes accidental rack impact.
True FIFO Rotation
Guaranteed stock turnover prevents obsolescence and spoilage in date-sensitive food, beverage, and temperature-controlled cold room facilities.
Integrated Speed Braking
Self-energizing centrifugal brakes regulate pallet acceleration continuously along deep-lane spans, ensuring safe, consistent operations.
Universal Pallet Compatibility
From GMA wooden pallets to heavy steel tubs and returnable plastic pallets, UNARCO RACKING tailors track configurations for reliable tracking.
Technical Comparison: Wheel & Roller Configurations
| Flow Track Type | Standard Capacity | Typical Lane Depth | Recommended Bottom Profile | Target Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Metal Skate Wheel | Up to 3,000 lbs (1,360 kg) / pallet | 2 to 12 pallets deep | Standard wooden GMA 3-runner pallets | General warehousing, staging, shipping staging buffers |
| Staggered Heavy-Duty Skate Wheel | Up to 4,000+ lbs (1,814 kg) / pallet | 2 to 15 pallets deep | Rough or slightly uneven wooden pallets | Heavy beverage, chemical drums, bulk raw materials |
| Full-Width Steel Roller | Up to 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) / pallet | 2 to 20+ pallets deep | Plastic skids, metal bins, wire containers | Automotive parts, cold storage, freezer warehousing |
| Split-Roller & Polycarbonate Track | Light to medium loads | 2 to 8 pallets deep | Smooth flat runner wooden/plastic pallets | Clean room environments, pharmaceutical picking aisles |
Need an Engineered Pallet Flow System Layout?
Our senior application engineers evaluate pallet profiles, slope dynamics, and seismic conditions for your project. Email us directly at [email protected]