Push Back Racking

2–6 pallets deep on nested carts — high-density LIFO storage from a single aisle, with no forklift entry into the rack.

Cart-on-Rail, Single-Aisle Access

Push back racking uses a series of nested wheeled carts mounted on inclined rails within each bay. To store a pallet, the forklift places it on the front cart and pushes it back — compressing the carts behind it. When a pallet is retrieved, the carts and pallets behind it automatically roll forward to the pick face under gravity. All loading and retrieval happens from a single aisle face.

Dense Storage, Fast Cycle Times

Push back delivers significantly higher density than selective or double-deep racking while maintaining fast cycle times — the forklift never enters the rack structure, eliminating the safety risks and slow maneuvers of drive-in racking.

  • 2–6 pallets deep per bay — major density gain over selective racking
  • Single-aisle access — no dedicated rear loading aisle required
  • Forklift never enters the rack structure — improved safety
  • Gravity-return carts advance product to pick face automatically
  • Compatible with standard reach trucks or counterbalanced forklifts
  • Ideal for multiple-pallet-per-SKU operations with LIFO-compatible rotation
  • Strong fit for grocery, cold storage, building materials, and manufacturing
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Interior view of push back racking system with nested carts on inclined rails

Key Parameters

LIFO
Inventory Rotation
Last-In, First-Out — best where product doesn't require strict date rotation or has a long shelf life.
2–6
Pallets Deep
Cart systems configured for 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 pallets deep per bay, depending on SKU volume and bay depth.
Any
Forklift Type
No special forklift attachment required. Works with standard reach trucks or counterbalanced forklifts.

Also Consider

Pallet Flow Racking

High-density FIFO — when date rotation matters and you need separate load and pick aisles.

Learn More

Drive-In Racking

Maximum density, LIFO. Forklift enters the rack structure — lower cost per position but slower cycle times.

Learn More

Double-Deep Racking

Two pallets deep — simpler system than push back for operations that only need one extra pallet depth.

Learn More

Need High Density Without Sacrificing Speed?

Push back often delivers the best balance of density and cycle time for mixed-SKU operations. Tell us about your product and we'll build the right configuration.