Long Reach: Self-Erecting Cranes Offer Full Jobsite Coverage

It’s quite clear to Peter Juhren, president and COO of Morrow Equipment Company, the exclusive distributor of Liebherr tower cranes in the U.S. and Canada, why the North American self-erecting crane market is growing.

“Contractors are finding the advantages to self-erecting cranes exceptional when compared to telehandlers or rough terrains,” Juhren said. “With their long reach, full jobsite coverage without the need to maintain a roadway around the project is a big advantage. The small footprint of self-erecting cranes also makes them ideal for confined spaces, such as alleyways and courtyards, or when lane restrictions on the street confine the jobsite.”

Nicola Castenetto, sales leader, self-erecting cranes at Terex, said that self-erecting cranes are getting more popular in the construction business. That’s thanks to their quick installation and as a single piece of lifting equipment the ability to cover all of the jobsite, reducing the need to have multiple machines moving around, he noted. Their noise-free operation also adds value.

However, the decision to buy new self-erecting cranes can still be impacted by other factors. “Price increases for raw materials, construction materials, energy and rising interest rates can combine to make investment complicated,” said Christopher Noblit, director of engineering for tower cranes, North America, at Manitowoc.

The Latest Technologies

At the same time, Noblit is quick to point out that the newest models can be attractive because of technologies that provide advantages for crane users. “On our new self-erecting cranes, we usually implement the crane control system (CCS), which adds functionality and simplifies the implementation of options like working range limiters,” he said. “It also allows for setting cranes in a short time because the machine can be calibrated and safety devices adjusted using the CCS display in the cab.”

Manitowoc has also implemented Potain CONNECT telematic functionalities on its latest self-erecting crane models. The remote technology platform helps ensure uptime through access to data for troubleshooting and fleet management.

Kelly Webb, president at Creative Lifting, the U.S. distributor for Saez, pointed out the features and benefits of the manufacturer’s all new HT47 cable erect self-erecting crane. The first Saez HT47 in the U.S. is now working in Colorado and more units are on order as well.

“The HT47 crane is ideal for dealers, rental companies and end users looking to fill the need for a 154-foot jib length self-erecting crane,” Webb said. “It also has four different jib lengths with the jib horizontal at 2 degrees or angled up at 30 degrees, which makes this model one of the most versatile on the market today. The HT47 is also easy to transport and erect and has the unique ability to run on single-phase power with no loss of speed or capacity.”

With the Saez direct service (SDS) system on the HT47, Webb noted, users can remotely connect to the crane and collect information on operating times, starts, brake use, work cycles, wind speed and other parameters to help improve the efficiency, reliability and safety of the crane and optimize its maintenance.

Other features of the Saez HT-47 include a zoning system, a Super-Lift mode, a compact 15-foot outrigger spread and five 8-foot mast sections to reach a 125-foot hook height. The crane also comes with the option of either a 9- or 11.5-foot counterweight radius.

New from the North American division of the Arcomet UPERIO Group is the Arcomet A50 ECO self-erecting crane. Joining the A40, A45 and A47 ECO CITY models in the company’s self-erecting crane lineup, the A50 has lifting capacities of 8,820 pounds (2-part) and 17,640 pounds. (4-part) and a 3,310-pound capacity at its maximum jib length of 164 feet.

Andrew Stalter, Liebherr USA’s senior sales manager tower & MK cranes, noted that advanced and smart crane control systems and drives assist with safety and efficiency. “Our self-erecting cranes are secured with sensors that prevent overload,” he said. “Other features, such as ABB (working range limitation), prevent swinging loads in hazardous areas, such as over train tracks or busy roads. Crane control systems also help improve safety with intuitive menu navigation that guides users through the assembly process.

“Modern Liebherr self-erecting cranes are also equipped with advanced drives that can operate at maximum speed without revving, allow for precise and stepless crane operation, enable load placement at minimum speed and require less power from public power supplies or generators,” Stalter related.

“With a modern control system combined with a telematics unit and our service LiDAT, users can have access to machine data, enabling remote diagnostics or evaluation of lifting cycles,” Stalter added. “Another significant benefit is that self-erecting cranes can be controlled with a radio remote controller so the operator can rig the load single-handedly with less communication required.”

“Ease of operation has always been at the core of our self-erecting crane development,” said Castenetto. “We have also developed cranes with our power plus system for added lifting capacity, our T-Link solution to record operational data for better fleet management and the ability to address an unstable jobsite supply with our power match technology.”

Many Applications

The most common application for self-erecting tower cranes, according to Mike Heacock, vice president of sales at Morrow Equipment, are four- to eight-story mixed-use buildings that may have underground parking garages with retail space at street level and then five or six stories of apartments or condos. Other applications are apartment buildings, hotels and office spaces. 

“Self-erecting cranes are ideal for these projects as they can be placed very close to the structure being built,” Heacock said. “They also work well with common building materials so wood, steel stud, concrete and light structural steel structures can be safely and efficiently constructed with them. More unique uses for self-erecting cranes are building additions, roofing projects and tank farms.”

At Prime Steel Erecting, a Liebherr 125K self-erecting crane proved to be an asset on a project that had difficult logistical hurdles to overcome. “Due to on-site constraints, erecting a new building addition from multiple locations around the existing building footprint could not happen,” explained Robert Hunter, project manager at Prime Steel. “After many options had been reviewed, we looked at the possibility of using the 125K to erect the new penthouse level addition.

“After solving an elevation issue and adjusting the crane’s height on stationary mats we were able to get the clear height needed and erect the new penthouse,” Hunter continued. “Having the operator control the machine from the existing roof was also a huge benefit as we were not erecting in the blind from over 100 feet below on the street.”

For Heacock, the value of self-erecting cranes is obvious. “On any project with a hoisting duration over a month, and which does not need the strength or extreme heights offered by a large top slewing or luffing tower crane, self-erecting cranes offer high productivity in a very small, cost-effective package,” he said.