Rising Recognition
Fast setup, long reach and small footprints keep earning more fans for self-erectors By Mike Larson
Builders who need to place materials for low- to mid-rise buildings now have more options than ever when it comes to self-erecting tower cranes. These amazing rigs are usually designed to arrive at a jobsite folded up and sitting on a lowboy trailer or riding on their own axles while being towed by a semi tractor.
Once on site, their supporting outriggers are swung out and leveled before the tower and boom unfold, many times with just the touch of a button. After the crane’ s counterweights are stacked, it’ s ready to start lifting.
That few-hour setup plus their ability to sit right next to a building and reach far across it to deliver loads right to where they’ re used helps builders do more work in less time with a smaller crew.
Though self-erectors have been popular in Europe for decades, Potain claims to have sold the first one in the U. S. in 2005.
Over the past 20 years, selferectors have grown steadily more popular as builders and
Potain unveiled its newest and largest self-erector in April at bauma 2025. The Igo T 139 has a 180.4-foot jib, 17,600-pound maximum capacity and 2,640-pound capacity at a 180-foot radius.
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Creative Lifting Services tows |
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an FB Gru with integral axles to a |
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September 19, 2025 |
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