When a pallet is to be stored, it is placed on a set of nested carts (carriages) that are mounted on inclined rails within the rack. These carts are free-rolling, meaning they can move back and forth on the inclined rails.

As additional pallets are loaded onto the rack, they push the previously loaded pallets further back into the lane. This creates a storage system where the most recently loaded pallet is at the front of the rack (last in), and the pallets loaded earlier are positioned behind it.

When it's time to retrieve a pallet, the operator removes the front pallet from the lane. The force of gravity causes the remaining pallets to roll forward automatically, making the next pallet accessible for unloading. This continues until the lane is empty.

Push back rack maximizes the use of vertical space and allows for dense storage, as multiple pallets can be stored in a single lane.

Compared to some other specialized pallet racking systems, selective racks are generally more affordable and easier to install, making them a popular choice for many businesses.

Unlike some other high-density systems like drive-in racks, push back rack allows access to individual pallets without moving others, improving selectivity and efficiency during order picking.

The ability to store multiple pallets deep reduces the number of aisles needed, increasing overall storage capacity.

Double-deep racks require specific layout planning to ensure proper aisle widths and to accommodate the reach of the deep reach forklifts.