Homebuilding Secrets
Potain self-erecting tower cranes are improving all stages of the residential homebuilding process.
Self-erecting tower cranes are extremely popular in the global construction industries, and now their impact is expanding to making a difference on residential homebuilding projects. These cranes offer significant cost advantages over traditional equipment by building more efficiency in every stage of the homebuilding process.
These tower cranes are called “self-erecting” because they only require the push of a button from a wireless remote to erect, unfolding on a jobsite within 20 minutes. With the crane’s up-and-over reach, operators can place materials exactly where they are needed without having to move the crane around the jobsite for each lift. This, combined with their compact footprint — typically only taking up 13.8 ft. sq. on-site — enables the crane to work in tight quarters and leave no trace behind when the job is complete. They set up without a foundation and eliminate the need for trucking and other specialized equipment around the jobsite. Self-erecting tower cranes are a versatile solution that can handle materials for any task on a residential homebuilding project.
Build Better, Smarter, Faster, Quieter
The biggest benefit of Potain self-erecting cranes is the time and money they can save on the jobsite. Contractors are building up to 50% faster, while saving money, on each residential homebuilding project. These savings are because Potain self-erecting cranes are taking over many of the heavy-duty tasks that typically require mobile cranes, a lot of manpower, movement in and around the site, and heavy material handling. With the average cost of building a new home rising, it is important for contractors to find ways to maximize their return on investment.
With the crane's up-and-over reach, workers can place materials exactly where they're needed without having to move the crane around the jobsite for each lift.
Use One Tool in Every Stage of the Homebuilding Process
Potain self-erecting tower cranes are changing the nature of residential homebuilding projects across North America. They reduce labor needs, do the jobs of several pieces of heavy equipment at once and dramatically increase efficiency on the jobsite. Contractors are saving thousands of dollars by switching to self-erecting tower cranes.
- Masonry
Lift masonry block pallets - Concrete
Attach a concrete bucket for easier pouring - Floor Joists
Set and hold floor joists in place - Prefab Walls
Move prefabricated wall sections - Trusses
Hoist assembled roof trusses - Roofing
Place shingles and roofing materials - Hardscaping
Move hardscaping materials, from small rocks to installing a pool
Take control of your time and labor costs. Be more efficient on the jobsite.
As a specialized tool for the homebuilding market, the Potain self-erecting tower cranes provides many benefits when compared with other equipment used on residential construction jobsites.
Fast Setup and Onsite Moves
Hydraulic outriggers, integrated counterweights and simple assembly ensure a rapid onsite setup.
Versatile Solution
One piece of equipment replaces several specialized types of material-handling equipment.
Green Equipment
No exhaust, loud engines, DEF or city noise ordinance issues mean real environmental advantages.
Multiple Power Sources
The Igo MA 21 can run from site power or generator, and can be operated from multiple means of AC power sources – 230v single phase or 480v three phase.
Up-and-Over Reach
Place materials exactly where you need them with the Igo MA 21’s versatile up-and-over reaching capabilities.
No Trace Left Behind
Install the crane without a foundation. Remove it with nothing to clean up or take away.
Lower Maintenance Costs
With fewer wear items and maintenance intervals, the Igo MA 21 reduces maintenance costs.
Affordable Rental Options
Supplement your fleet quickly and easily with the right short-term lifting solution for your next job.
Jobsite Proven
Pinetop Custom Homes began deploying Potain self-erecting cranes for residential projects in 2004. Based in McCall, Idaho, the company had been using a forklift to help build pre-fabricated houses. A colleague told owner, Dusty Bitton, about self-erecting cranes and their benefits, so he purchased a model from the Potain Igo range. The crane worked so well that Pinetop bought a second unit, then another, then several more, until the company had 25 self-erecting cranes in its fleet, comprising a mix of Potain Igo and Hup models. The company uses the cranes for a variety of applications, including framing, concrete work, masonry, roofing, landscaping, setting floor joists and windows and material handling, among other tasks. In effect, the company is building entire homes with Potain self-erecting cranes.
Bitton mentioned several other benefits self-erecting cranes have over traditional machines, like telehandlers and forklifts, for residential jobsites. One crane, for example, can make lifts across the entire jobsite from a single location without being moved. Also, there are gains in manpower, as the same person can both operate and rig the crane, which also improves communication. And because the operator can deposit a load right in front of where they are standing, visibility and accuracy are improved. This is further aided by the remote-control operation of the cranes, which indicate capacity, load movements, wind speeds and more.
“We are able to build houses 50% faster with Potain self-erecting tower cranes than with other types of equipment, They’re also easier to get to the jobsite. They have axles underneath, so you can just pull them onto the site. They’re silent, don’t produce exhaust fumes, and with their remote-control operation, they really increase visibility, safety and precision picking.”
As a testament to Pinetop’s success with self-erecting tower cranes, Bitton took his fleet of 25 Potain units and started another company, Rocky Mountain Crane, also based in McCall. The goal was to share the advances of using Potain self-erecting tower cranes in homebuilding with other builders. It marked the first time the cranes were rented and sold in the region.
“After I bought my second Potain self-erecting tower crane, I figured I should be selling and renting them, too. I know a lot of companies have the same challenges that I had,” he explained.
“Now that word has spread about how much better this method of building is, and how much time and money it can save, I estimate there are now around 30 companies using self-erecting tower cranes on their jobsites in this region. Now that word has spread about how much better this method of building is, and how much time and money it can save, I estimate there are now around 30 companies using self-erecting tower cranes on their jobsites in this region.”
Potain Self-Erecting Cranes: The Future of Homebuilding
Self-erecting tower cranes are a mainstay of the global construction industry and are now bringing significant improvements to the residential homebuilding market in North America. These cranes offer significant cost and efficiency advantages in nearly all stages of the homebuilding process when compared to conventional equipment. Similar to Pinetop Custom Homes; once other companies make that switch; they see how cost and time prohibitive it would be to go back to previous methods.