Cranes in Motion
By Seth Skydel
Solving the Equation
84 Lumber tackles tight spaces with Potain self-erecting cranes
In Pittsburgh’ s bustling Lawrenceville neighborhood, space is at a premium. Once a hub of industry along the Allegheny River, the district is now home to residential development projects, where every square foot counts.
So, when construction on a new sixstory, 267-unit apartment building on a main traffic artery with limited staging area took place from November 2024 through mid-June 2025, the team behind the project had to find a way to lift heavy prefabricated materials efficiently without disrupting the surrounding neighborhood.
For 84 Lumber, which oversaw the lifting operations through its Installed Sales Division, the answer came in the form of two
Potain self-erecting tower cranes— the Igo T 130 and Igo T 99. Together, these cranes made it possible to overcome tight-site logistics and keep the project moving without having to reposition a crane mid-construction.
“ The T 130 was brought in first, followed by the addition of a Potain Igo T 99 to support the later phases of construction,” explained Steven Rider, commercial install manager at 84 Lumber.“ This dual-crane setup allowed both machines to operate simultaneously with the necessary clearance and coverage across the site.”
The Lawrenceville build was no small task. With concrete and steel on the lower levels and four stories of wood framing above, space constraints made traditional
lifting equipment impractical. According to Rider, 84 Lumber’ s portion of the project involved the wood framing on the top four levels where the cranes were essential for handling pre-assembled wall panels, floor and roof trusses, loose lumber and sheeting.
Game Changer
The cranes’ remote-controlled operation proved to be a game-changer. Operating without cabs and guided via wireless controls, operators could position themselves wherever they had the best view of the rigging and lifting processes, enhancing both safety and efficiency.
“ Two-way radios were used to coordinate the precise placement of loads on the upper levels,” Rider said.“ This setup helped maintain smooth and efficient operations despite the site’ s extremely tight working conditions.”
The Potain Igo T 130 and Igo T 99 offered not only reach but also flexibility. The T 130
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November 2025 • www. cranehotline. com