12-Foot vs. 16-Foot Stock Cantilever Columns for Midwest Yards
October 22, 2026
NAWL's stock cantilever columns come in 12-foot and 16-foot heights. The 12-foot column is rated at 12,980 lbs per side and the 16-foot column at 11,660 lbs per side, so the taller column adds storage height but gives up some rated capacity. Pick the shortest column that holds your stock at a height your lift truck can safely reach.
Column height is the first decision in a cantilever system because everything else follows from it: how many arm levels you get, what truck you need, and how much footing or slab work the column demands.
What are the two stock column heights?
| Stock column | Rated capacity | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| 12 ft | 12,980 lbs per side | Heavy bundles, standard truck reach, lower sprinkler or roof clearance |
| 16 ft | 11,660 lbs per side | More levels in the same footprint, tall buildings, yards where land is limited |
12 ft
- Rated capacity
- 12,980 lbs per side
- Best fit
- Heavy bundles, standard truck reach, lower sprinkler or roof clearance
16 ft
- Rated capacity
- 11,660 lbs per side
- Best fit
- More levels in the same footprint, tall buildings, yards where land is limited
Both heights ship from stock on the quick-ship program, which typically dispatches within 48 to 72 hours of ordering. Heavier columns are available on a 7 to 10 day lead time. See when to order heavier cantilever columns if your loads outgrow the stock ratings.
Why does the taller column carry less?
A taller column puts the same load farther from the floor, which adds leverage on the base and on the column itself. That is why the rating drops from 12,980 to 11,660 lbs per side as you move from 12 to 16 feet. The rating is about the column, not the arms, so you still check each arm's own limit. Our worked example on capacity per side walks through how the two numbers interact.
How many arm levels does each height give you?
Arms bolt on and adjust in 4-inch vertical increments. A 16-foot column gives you roughly a third more vertical room than a 12-foot column, which can mean one or two extra arm levels depending on your bundle heights and the clearance you leave above each load. Taller stock, like long tube or lumber bundles, needs more vertical space per level, so count real bundle heights before you count levels. The guide to setting arm levels in 4-inch increments shows how to do that.
What does your lift truck limit?
The column height only helps if your truck can safely place loads at the top level. Forklift capacity drops as load height rises, so a truck that handles a heavy bundle at 4 feet may not handle it at 14 feet. Check the data plate and the manufacturer's load chart before you order a 16-foot column. In a yard, also think about winter: icy ground and short daylight make high placements harder. See winter forklift operations around cantilever yards.
What about indoor ceilings and sprinklers?
Indoors, the column cannot go higher than the ceiling, lights, ducts, and sprinkler clearance allow. A 16-foot column in a 20-foot building may leave less clearance than you think once you add the load on the top arm. Measure from the floor to the lowest obstruction and subtract the clearance your fire protection contractor requires.
What about outdoor yards?
Outdoors, a taller column also catches more wind and carries more snow on its arms. NAWL's product page calls for anchoring outdoor installs to a concrete pad at least 6 inches thick. Minnesota frost conditions may call for more than that, so have a local engineer or your building official confirm the footing for your site. Read outdoor cantilever concrete pads and frost depth in Minnesota for the questions to ask.
A simple way to decide
- Measure your longest and heaviest bundles
- Decide how many arm levels you actually need
- Check what height your truck can reach with a full load
- Check ceiling or yard limits
- Choose the shorter column if it gives you the levels you need
If the 12-foot column does the job, it gives you the higher rating and a lower center of gravity. Choose the 16-foot column when you need the extra levels and your truck and footing support it.
How do I order?
Browse stock columns on the cantilever rack page or check the quick-ship lineup. Quote lead times and freight to your site, because transit time depends on the carrier and your location. NAWL supplies cantilever rack and components. Installation is handled by your crew or an installer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I mix 12-foot and 16-foot columns in one run? Often yes, but arms and bases must match and each column keeps its own rating. Confirm the layout on your quote.
Is the rating per column or per side? The stock ratings are listed per side. Confirm how it applies to a double-sided configuration when you request a quote.
Do taller columns need bigger bases? Base size follows your deepest arm. See matching a base to your deepest arm.
Choosing a column height?
Send your longest bundle, heaviest load, lift truck, and site type, and we will help you pick stock columns and arms.