Pedlex crank out shelving alternative

Beyond Pedlex: The Evolution of Hygienic Tube Storage

If you are searching for a "Pedlex crank out shelving alternative," you are likely facing a critical bottleneck in your metal service center or sanitary component manufacturing facility. You handle high-value inventory—polished stainless steel tubing, pharmaceutical-grade piping, and precision bar stock. In industries governed by ASME BPE and 3-A Sanitary Standards, storage isn't just about holding weight; it's about maintaining material integrity. Traditional static racks and floor stacking are the enemies of efficiency. They force your operators to perform the dangerous "forklift dance"—navigating narrow aisles and shuffling three bundles of carbon steel just to reach the 304L stainless tube at the bottom. This secondary handling is where dents, scratches, and cross-contamination happen.

The Mechanics of Damage Prevention

Our Telescopic Cantilever Rack system is engineered to eliminate the friction and impact risks inherent in static storage. Unlike standard racks where forks must enter the rack structure (risking collision with the uprights or adjacent stock), our system brings the material *to* the operator. The core innovation is the **100% extension capability**. Each arm level functions as a fully extendable drawer. By cranking the handle, the entire level rolls out into the aisle. This exposes the stainless steel tubes completely to the overhead space. Why does this matter for a manufacturer like GHWA? * **Zero Side Friction:** You are no longer sliding forks in between delicate bundles. * **Crane Accessibility:** You can use an overhead crane with nylon slings or vacuum lifters to pick up the load vertically. This ensures the polished surface of your tubes never scrapes against steel structure. * **Individual Access:** Need the 6-inch OD tube on the middle shelf? Crank it out and pick it. No need to move the top inventory.

Optimizing Feed Rates for Lasers and Saws

In a high-mix production environment, your laser tube cutters and band saws are hungry beasts. Every minute they sit idle waiting for material is lost revenue. A standard forklift retrieval cycle for a buried bundle can take 15 to 20 minutes. With our crank out cantilever rack, that cycle is reduced to under 3 minutes. For high-volume centers, we offer motorized versions (as shown above). An operator can trigger the extension via remote control while simultaneously maneuvering the crane into position. By the time the crane hook is lowered, the material is presented and ready for lifting. This "pit-stop" efficiency is essential for keeping high-speed CNC machinery running at capacity.

Technical Specifications for Heavy Alloy Storage

Your inventory is dense. Solid stainless steel bars and thick-wall pipes require a structure that won't deflect under load. Here are the specs tailored for heavy industrial applications:

Feature	Specification	Benefit for Steel Processors
Arm Extension	100% Full Crank-Out	Allows complete overhead crane access for safe, scratch-free lifting.
Load Capacity	Up to 6,600 lbs (3,000 kg) per arm level	Handles dense bundles of solid bar stock or heavy wall piping without sagging.
Material Length	20ft - 40ft (6m - 12m) Standard	Perfect for standard mill lengths of tubing and profiles.
Surface Protection	Powder Coated (Optional UHMW Liners)	Prevents carbon contamination on stainless steel; liners protect high-Ra finishes.
Operation Mode	Manual Crank or Electric Drive	Scalable from small maintenance shops to high-throughput distribution centers.

Reclaiming Floor Space for Production

In many facilities, storage is a necessary evil that eats up valuable square footage—space that could be used for another welding station or a new machining center. By utilizing a roll out cantilever rack, you can slash your aisle widths significantly. Since you don't need a forklift's turning radius to access the rack (only linear crane movement is required), you can place racks closer together or against walls. Our clients typically recover up to 50% of their floor space, transforming "dead" storage zones into active, revenue-generating production areas.

Safety: Removing the Human Error

The heaviest cost in any facility isn't material—it's injury. Manually barring heavy pipes out of pigeonhole racks or balancing unstable loads on forklift tines creates a high-risk environment. Our system creates a controlled, predictable process. The rack does the heavy lifting. The crank mechanism is geared to require minimal force (less than 30 lbs of torque) to move tons of steel. By shifting from forklift-based picking to crane-based picking, you segregate pedestrian traffic from heavy machinery, aligning your operation with the strictest safety protocols.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. We store electropolished tubes for the pharma industry. Can these racks prevent surface contamination?
Absolutely. Unlike standard structural steel racks that can scratch or transfer carbon to stainless steel, our arms can be fitted with UHMW-PE (Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) liners. This provides a soft, non-reactive resting surface that protects delicate finishes (Ra < 20µin) and prevents carbon contamination.

2. Can I use this system if I don't have an overhead crane?
While an overhead crane accessible racking system offers the highest efficiency and safety, the racks are still compatible with forklifts. The rollout feature allows the forklift to pick the load from an open position, which is still safer and faster than navigating into a fixed rack, though the crane is the preferred method for long tubes.

3. What is the maximum length of tubing we can store?
Our systems are modular. We regularly install solutions for standard 20ft (6m) and 24ft mill lengths, but by adding vertical columns, we can accommodate 40ft or even 60ft extrusions without issue. The key is supporting the material to prevent deflection (sagging) which can ruin precision straightness.

4. How much force is required to crank out a fully loaded arm?
The gearing ratio is designed for ergonomics. Even with a full load of solid bar stock (e.g., 5,000 lbs per level), a single operator can extend the shelf with one hand using the crank handle. The break-away force is minimal, significantly reducing the risk of back strain compared to manual prying.

5. Do these racks require special flooring?
Yes, due to the high density of the load. As seen in our installation protocols, we require a standard industrial concrete slab (typically 6 inches or more, 3000 PSI). We use heavy-duty expansion anchors to secure the base. Our engineering team will review your slab specifications during the consultation phase to ensure safety.