P&J Crane Joins Growing U.S. Self-erecting Tower Crane Market

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An A42 self-erecting tower crane works on a parking garage in Columbia, Md.

November 17, 2004—P&J Crane Systems, a tower crane specialist in Manassas, Va., recently struck a 50-50 joint venture with Belgian crane manufacturer Arcomet to supply self-erecting tower cranes in the United States.

The agreement calls for six self-erecting tower cranes to start, all of which are already booked for rent, said Stephen Jehle, P&J senior vice president. The units include four A42 models and two A45 models.

The A42 has a maximum capacity of 8,820 pounds and is capable of lifting up to 2,435 pounds at a reach of 42 m. In early 2005, the first A45 should arrive. With a capacity of more than 4,000 pounds at a 45 m reach, it is one of the largest self-erecting tower cranes available.

According to Jehle, self-erecting tower crane applications in North America require this bigger reach and higher capacity combination. “Self-erectors are not for rural or urban jobs, but they are perfect for suburban sprawl, where few buildings are more than 4 or 5 stories tall,” he said. Examples include construction of townhouses or small parking garages.

Commenting on the North American market for tower cranes, Jehle noted that the contractors interested in the self-erectors are a completely different customer base than the ones who use top-slewing tower cranes, such as Peiners, which P&J also owns, rents, and sells across the country.

Among a self-erecting tower cranes most attractive features are its ability to be pulled behind a truck and its fast-erection time. “Self-erecting tower cranes are so much more efficient than renting a mobile crane that it's insane!” said Jehle.