Push-Back racking quotation based on pallet load, number of lanes and actual throughput
Push-Back racking is a high-density storage solution on the FILO principle, using carts or trolleys that run on inclined rails: pallets are pushed back into the lane and roll forward again when stock is removed. The quotation for this system depends directly on the pallet depth, the weight of each pallet, the number of levels, the quality of the carts, the rail type, the warehouse height and the throughput the business actually needs.
Quick summary
Push-Back suits businesses that want higher storage density while keeping throughput faster than Drive-In and without forklifts driving deep into the lane. The investment rises with the pallet depth, pallet weight, number of carts per lane, the quality of the guide rails, the warehouse height and the level of safety required. For warehouses holding uniform goods in batches on a FILO basis that need quick picking at the front face, Push-Back is usually a good balance between density and operating productivity.
When should you use Push-Back racking?
Warehouses that need faster throughput
Push-Back allows loading and picking right at the front of the lane, cutting the time a forklift spends travelling deep into the rack as with Drive-In.
Warehouses storing in batches
Suitable for raw materials, semi-finished goods or products that rotate by batch, where the FILO principle remains acceptable operationally.
Warehouses wanting moderate to high density
This is a strong middle ground between Selective and Drive-In, especially for businesses that need both more capacity and steady handling speed.
When should you not use Push-Back?
- When the warehouse needs strict FIFO for every pallet with no suitable way to separate the flows.
- When each SKU has only a very small number of pallets, making the lane depth ineffective.
- When pallets vary too much in size or weight, reducing the stability of the carts and rails.
- When the business wants to minimise CAPEX absolutely and accepts lower density with Selective.
What determines a Push-Back racking quotation
1. Weight per pallet
The heavier the load, the greater the demands on beams, frames, carts, rails and load-bearing components. This has the strongest effect on material cost.
2. Pallet depth per lane
Going from 2 to 4 or 5 pallets deep adds not only carts and rails but also affects stability, the rail angle and how well the movement of goods is controlled.
3. Warehouse height and number of levels
The taller the warehouse, the stricter the requirements for safety, impact protection, stability and forklift compatibility.
4. Cart and rail quality
This is not something to compare superficially. The carts and rails determine how smoothly, durably and safely the whole system runs over many years.
5. Pallet type and uniformity of goods
Wooden, plastic or steel pallets; standard or irregular sizes; evenly or unevenly distributed loads all change the technical requirements of the system.
6. Level of safety protection
Column base guards, stop bars, load notice plates, guide rails and impact protection details must be costed correctly from the outset.
Indicative price list for common configurations
| Reference configuration | Pallet load | Typical application | Indicative price range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Push-Back 2 pallets deep | 500–1,000 kg per pallet | Finished goods stores, trading warehouses, buffer stores | From about VND 1.5–3 million per lane |
| Push-Back 3–4 pallets deep | 800–1,200 kg per pallet | Raw-material stores, FMCG warehouses, logistics warehouses | From about VND 2.5–4 million per lane |
| Push-Back 5 pallets deep or high load | 1,000–1,500 kg per pallet or more | High-density warehouses, specialised industrial projects | From about VND 3.5–5 million per lane, or higher depending on the configuration |
These price ranges are indicative, for budgeting. A final quotation should come with the layout, pallet type, number of lanes, loads and the real operating conditions of the warehouse.
Why can Push-Back quotations differ so much for the same warehouse area?
Different lane depths
The deeper the lane, the more carts and the longer the rails, which costs considerably more than a shallow configuration.
Different quality of moving parts
Push-Back has moving components, so the quality of the carts, wheels, bearings and rails strongly affects the life of the system.
Different pallet standards
Uniform pallets make operation more stable. If pallets vary widely, the engineering solution and the cost of controlling that risk both increase.
Different operating objectives
Some warehouses prioritise fast rotation, others maximum capacity. That difference changes the number of blocks, the lane depth and how goods are grouped.
What to send for an accurate quotation
- Pallet dimensions and the heaviest pallet weight.
- The number of SKUs, the pallets per item and the stock rotation rate.
- The usable warehouse height and photographs of the site.
- Details of the forklift in use or planned.
- A description of the FILO requirement, the staging area and the throughput frequency.
- Any safety requirements or specific operating limits.
At a glance: Push-Back versus Drive-In and Double Deep
| Criterion | Push-Back | Drive-In | Double Deep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handling speed at the front face | High | Lower, because the forklift drives deep into the lane | Medium |
| Storage density | High | Very high | Higher than Selective |
| Handling equipment | Standard forklifts are more suitable | Requires lane-driving skills | Usually needs a truck suited to Double Deep |
| Storage principle | FILO | FILO, or a variant depending on the configuration | Depends on operation, more flexible |
Technical and safety notes for a Push-Back project
The effectiveness of Push-Back depends heavily on designing the correct rail angle, choosing the right carts and controlling pallet quality. If pallets are warped, loads are off-centre or the carts and rails are of poor quality, the system degrades quickly and creates operating risk. A business should carefully assess the uniformity of its goods, its ability to control incoming pallets, the maintenance procedure and the level of forklift driver training.
For further reading on warehouse and materials safety, see OSHA on warehouse hazards, OSHA on materials handling, HSE on internal traffic, MHI and RMI Rack Safety.
Get a Push-Back racking quotation for your pallets and actual throughput
Send your warehouse layout, pallet dimensions and a description of your inbound and outbound flow, and the Long Quyen team will propose a Push-Back configuration matched to your productivity and capacity goals.
Send your details for a proposal
Frequently asked questions
How is Push-Back faster than Drive-In?
The forklift does not have to drive deep into the lane. Most loading and picking happens at the front face, which speeds up throughput and reduces the risk of impacts inside the racking run.
Is Push-Back racking suitable for FIFO?
Push-Back is normally better suited to FILO. If the business needs strict FIFO, flow racking or another configuration is worth considering instead.
Which pallets work best with Push-Back?
Pallets should be uniform in size, weight and quality. Warped or badly out-of-tolerance pallets reduce stability when running on the carts and rails.
Should Push-Back prices be compared using a single sample lane?
They should not. The number of lanes, levels, loads, depth, carts, rails and the overall layout all need to be counted for an accurate picture of the cost.
What should I send to get a quotation fastest?
Send the pallet dimensions and weights, the pallet depth you want, photographs of the warehouse and a description of your throughput so our engineers can work out the right configuration.
Contact the Long Quyen engineering team
If you are weighing up Push-Back, Drive-In and Double Deep, Long Quyen can help with the survey, the layout calculation and a budget based on your real storage and throughput goals.
- Hotline: 0903422179 (Mr. Dat) – 0903412296 (Mr. Hien) – 0903434374 (Mr. Cam)
- Email: contact@giakelongquyen.com – contact@longquyen.com
- Office: 79 Dao Tan St., Giang Vo Ward, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
- Factory: 1085 Phuc Dien St., Xuan Phuong Ward, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
See also Drive-In racking quotation, Double Deep racking quotation, Selective racking quotation, the Push-Back guide or contact us directly.
