84 Lumber Uses Two Potain Self-Erecting Cranes to Tackle Tight-Space Apartment Build
- Meagan Wood
- Aug 19, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 1
30-Second Takeaway
84 Lumber used two Potain self-erecting tower cranes an Igo T 130 and an Igo T 99 to support construction of a six-story, 267-unit apartment building in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood. Tight property lines prevented repositioning the main crane, so a two-crane setup delivered full site coverage without disrupting traffic or moving equipment mid-project. Operated fully by remote control, the cranes lifted framing materials and components up to 2.4 USt during the project’s November 2024–June 2025 schedule.
Urban construction rarely comes easy especially when staging space is limited and jobsite access sits right on an active street. That was the reality for a new six-story, 267-unit apartment building in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood, where the project team needed maximum lifting coverage inside a compact footprint.
Tight Site, Smart Solution
The site located along busy Butler Street originally planned for the Potain Igo T 130 to be placed in a more efficient inside corner of the property. But property line restrictions prevented the outrigger setup required to make that move safely.
Instead of losing time or compromising lift planning, 84 Lumber, working with R.R. Miller Construction and crane rental partner Stephenson Equipment, added a second crane: the Potain Igo T 99. With two self-erecting cranes working together, the team achieved full coverage of the building footprint without relocating equipment mid-project.
“The dual-crane setup gave us everything we needed without disrupting traffic or shifting equipment around the property,” said Steven Rider, Commercial Install Manager at 84 Lumber. “It allowed us to stay on schedule and keep momentum across every phase of the build.”
What the Cranes Lifted
The cranes supported key phases of construction by handling:
Prefabricated wall panels
Roof trusses
Lumber and sheeting packages
General framing materials used across the build
Lift weights ranged from a few hundred pounds up to 2.4 USt, comfortably within the cranes’ rated capacities:
Igo T 130: 8.8 USt maximum capacity
Igo T 99: 6 USt maximum capacity
Both cranes remained productive through the wood-framing phase while also providing lift support to other trades on site.
Remote-Control Precision
Both Potain cranes were operated exclusively via remote control, allowing operators to stand where they had the best line of sight for each pick. Two-way radio communication supported coordinated placement, especially during lifts approaching the project’s maximum operating height of 126 ft.
Support Behind the Scenes
Keeping the cranes running reliably across a tight schedule required more than equipment selection. Manitowoc’s service and training infrastructure, paired with local support from Stephenson Equipment, helped maintain performance through the project window from November 2024 through June 2025.
“Without Stephenson Equipment’s expertise in matching the right cranes to the site, this project could have turned into a disaster,” Rider said. “On jobs like this, timing is everything and their team was always ready with answers when we needed them.”
A Model for Urban Builds
The Lawrenceville project is part of Pittsburgh’s broader push to revitalize former industrial corridors with new housing and more street-level density near the riverfront. For the construction team, the crane plan proved a clear lesson: in tight urban environments, self-erecting tower cranes can deliver reach, capacity, and flexibility without the footprint penalties of larger systems.
About Potain
Potain, a brand of Manitowoc, is a global tower crane manufacturer known for self-erecting, top-slewing, and luffing jib cranes used in residential, commercial, and infrastructure construction. Potain self-erecting cranes are designed for fast setup, compact jobsite operation, and efficient lifting performance in space-restricted environments.
Learn More🔗 https://www.manitowoc.com/potain
About 84 Lumber
Founded in 1956, 84 Lumber is one of the largest privately held building materials suppliers in the United States. Through its Installed Sales Division, the company supports framing and material handling solutions for residential and multi-family construction, including tight-site urban builds.
Learn More🔗 https://www.84lumber.com
About Stephenson Equipment
Stephenson Equipment is a U.S.-based equipment dealer and crane partner supporting lifting solutions, rentals, and service for construction and industrial applications.
Learn More🔗 https://stephensonequipment.com
About Manitowoc
Manitowoc is a global crane manufacturer and service provider that produces tower cranes under the Potain brand and mobile cranes under Grove. The company supports customers through equipment innovation, training, and service infrastructure across major construction markets.
Learn More🔗 https://www.manitowoc.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the project use two self-erecting cranes instead of one?
Property line and outrigger restrictions prevented repositioning the primary crane, so adding a second self-erector provided full coverage without moving equipment mid-project.
Which Potain crane models were used?
A Potain Igo T 130 and a Potain Igo T 99.
How much weight did the cranes lift on the project?
Lift weights ranged up to 2.4 USt.
How high were lifts performed?
Loads were placed at heights up to 126 ft.
How were the cranes operated?
Both cranes were operated via remote control, allowing operators to maintain the best viewing angle for each lift.
What did the cranes lift most frequently?
Prefabricated wall panels, trusses, lumber, sheeting, and framing materials.
