Noise and emissions are concerns on any jobsite but are especially bothersome on college campuses. For this reason, self erecting tower cranes are becoming the machine of choice for work at universities and close campus settings in the US, where rough terrain mobile cranes were once the common solution.
Two Potain self-erecting tower cranes are helping construct a four-storey dormitory at the University of Indianapolis in Bloomington, Indiana. The machines have minimal environmental impact because they employ electric motors, which have no engine emissions, reduced fuel costs and are very quiet, says Manitowoc.
According to Ed Albany, crane rental specialist for Indianapolis-based Potain dealer R.H. Marlin, “The fact that these cranes operate very quietly is certainly an asset for contractors working in close proximity to other commercial or educational facilities. Furthermore, there are no fumes from a diesel engine, which suits a lot of working locations.”
The East Hall dormitory includes specialized concrete panels that are both fireproof and have good insulating qualities. The Igo T 70 is lifting and placing the concrete floor and wall panels, which range in weight from 1,200 pounds (0.5 tonnes) to 2,000 pounds (0.9 tonnes). The Igo has been on the construction site since November 2008 and an HDT 80 was added in February 2009. Contractors added the second crane to speed up the project, which fell behind schedule as a result of winter weather.
via KHL
