Manual mode
The forklift driver directs every shuttle movement with the remote control.
- Travel forward and backward
- Lifting and lowering the pallet
- Loading and retrieval
Radio shuttle system
Compact pallet storage in deep lanes. A remote-controlled shuttle moves pallets in and out — the forklift never enters the racking.
- up to 1,500 kg
- load per pallet
- −30 °C
- works in cold stores and freezers
- up to 50%
- less forklift operator time
- FIFO / LIFO
- stock flow of your choice
Benefits
More pallet positions
Deep lanes instead of an aisle in front of every pallet.
Up to 50% less forklift time
The shuttle works in the lane; the forklift only delivers and collects.
Up to 1,500 kg and down to −30 °C
Pallets of different sizes, in cold stores and freezers too.
FIFO or LIFO
Flow direction chosen to suit your stock rotation.
A radio shuttle system is a compact storage solution in which pallets stand one behind another in deep lanes, on steel rails. Instead of a forklift driving into the racking, a shuttle works inside the lane — a battery-powered vehicle that runs beneath the pallets, lifts a pallet off the rails, carries it to the first free position and sets it down. Retrieval works the other way round: it brings pallets to the lane entrance, where the forklift picks them up.
The forklift driver controls the shuttle with a remote control and uses the forklift to move it from lane to lane and level to level. In larger installations, commands can also come directly from the warehouse management system (WMS). With no aisle in front of every pallet, the same space holds considerably more pallet positions than conventional pallet racking.
How it works, step by step
The forklift places a pallet at the lane entrance. The shuttle lifts it, carries it to the first free position deep in the lane and returns for the next one, so the lane fills from the back towards the front. For retrieval the shuttle brings the pallets to the entrance one by one. A lane can run on a LIFO principle (in and out on the same side) or FIFO (in on one side, out on the other) — this is decided at the design stage, based on how your stock rotates.
When it is the right choice
A radio shuttle pays off when you hold many pallets of the same item and relatively few different items: beverages, food, packaging, raw materials and finished goods in batches. It is particularly suited to cold stores and freezers, where every cubic metre is expensive and driving a forklift inside the racking is slow and risky. We size and manufacture the racking structure — frames, lane rails, protection and stops — to suit your pallets, loads and building height.
Variants and options
- Shuttle capacity up to 1,500 kg per pallet
- Operation down to −30 °C
- Pallets of different sizes
- Manual and automatic mode
- Remote control from the forklift cab
- Commands from a WMS
- FIFO or LIFO operation
- Lane depth to suit space and pallet count
- Protection, stops and load notices
Typical applications
- Cold stores and freezers
- Food and beverage producers
- Raw material and packaging stores
- Distribution of goods in large batches
How a radio shuttle works
Four steps, without the forklift ever entering the racking.
-
01
Drop-off at the entrance
The forklift brings the pallet and sets it on the rails at the lane entrance.
-
02
Shuttle takes over
On a command from the remote control the shuttle runs under the pallet and lifts it.
-
03
Into the depth
The shuttle carries the pallet along the rails to the first free position and sets it down.
-
04
Next lane
When the lane is full, the forklift moves the shuttle to another lane or level.
Control and operating modes
Automatic mode
The shuttle loads or retrieves the pallets in the lane on its own while the driver does other work.
- Automatic lane filling
- Automatic lane emptying
- More time for the forklift driver
WMS integration
Shuttle commands can come directly from your warehouse management system.
- Commands from the WMS
- Accurate location records
- Less manual entry
FIFO or LIFO — how goods flow
FIFO — first in, first out
Loading on one side, retrieval on the other. For food, beverages and anything with a best-before date.
LIFO — last in, first out
Loading and retrieval on the same side. Needs fewer aisles; for goods without a short shelf life.
Radio shuttle or conventional pallet racking?
| Radio shuttle | Conventional pallet racking | |
|---|---|---|
| Pallet positions on the same floor area | Considerably more — deep lanes | Fewer — an aisle in front of every run |
| Access to pallets | Per lane (FIFO or LIFO) | Direct access to every pallet |
| Forklift inside the racking | Never — the shuttle does the work | Works in every aisle |
| Best for | Many pallets of the same item | Many different items |
| Cold stores and freezers | Excellent — less space to cool | Possible, but uses more chilled space |
What makes up the system
Racking structure
Frames, beams and bracing — manufactured in our own plant to suit your building and loads.
Lane rails
Steel profiles the shuttle travels on and the pallets rest on.
Shuttle
A battery-powered vehicle that lifts, carries and sets down pallets up to 1,500 kg, even at −30 °C.
Remote control
The driver selects manual or automatic mode right from the cab.
Advantages
- More pallets in the same space than conventional racking
- Up to 50% less forklift operator time
- Fewer forklift manoeuvres in the warehouse
- Less damage to goods and racking
- Lower risk of forklift operator error
- Pallets of different sizes
- Commands also from a WMS
- Operation in cold stores and freezers down to −30 °C
Insights on this topic
All insights
Frequently asked questions
What information should I send for a quote?
Basic details are enough: room dimensions (length, width, clear height), type and weight of goods, load unit (e.g. Euro pallet), handling method and site location. We complete the rest together.
Can I attach a drawing or photos of the hall?
Yes. In the quote form you can attach up to 5 files (PDF, JPG, PNG, DWG, DXF).
How can I estimate the number of pallet positions?
Use our free pallet position calculator. You can send the result straight away as a quote request.
How will I know my enquiry has arrived?
After sending, you receive an enquiry number and an email confirmation with a summary of the data you submitted.
Send us your floor dimensions. We will propose a solution.
The basics are enough: floor dimensions and clear height, type of goods and approximate weight. A drawing or photo helps even more.