There's no single 'best' Potain self erecting crane for Utah. Here's how to pick yours.
If you're a project manager in Utah looking at Potain self erecting cranes, you've probably noticed the brochures all say the same thing: 'versatile,' 'easy to install,' 'powerful.' And they are. But what the brochures don't tell you is which model is right for your specific site conditions.
In my role coordinating equipment for a mid-sized crane rental company out of Salt Lake City, I've seen three distinct scenarios play out. And the wrong crane in the wrong situation can turn a three-day setup into a three-week nightmare, or blow your power budget sky-high. Here's what I've learned from the trenches.
Scenario A: The Tight Urban Fit (Salt Lake City / Provo)
You're working on a mid-rise residential project in downtown SLC. Street access is limited. The footprint is small. Your main concern is getting the crane into a position where it can actually reach the center of the building without blocking the alleyway.
The go-to: A Potain Igo T 130.
This is a no-brainer for urban infill. The Igo T 130 is a self erecting crane designed for this exact pain point. It has a very compact base and can be set up in tight spaces—like, we're talking a 13×13 foot footprint. The jib folds down, so you can truck it in on a standard flatbed (no special permits needed for width, which is huge in SLC).
Power consumption catch: The Igo T 130 runs on a 32-amp, 400V supply. For most downtown sites, this isn't a problem—you've got utility power nearby. But if you're working on a site that's still in the excavation phase and you're on a generator, be careful. A standard 32-amp plug won't run much else. You'll need a dedicated circuit. Don't let the electrician tell you it's 'fine' to share. We lost a day once because the generator overloaded when the welder and the crane started simultaneously. Bottom line: Plan for a dedicated 32A/400V line for this model.
Scenario B: The Wide-Open Subdivision (St. George / Draper)
You're building a neighborhood of townhouses or a small commercial strip. You don't have a ton of height restriction—maybe 5 stories max. But you need to cover a large area without moving the crane. Your main headache is the sheer spread of the building.
The pick: A Potain Igo M 26 or Igo M 38.
Here's where a lot of people get it wrong. They think 'bigger is better' and go for the biggest self erector they can find. But for a wide, low building, a larger capacity model isn't helpful if you can't reach the far corner. The Igo M models offer a better jib length-to-lifting capacity ratio for this. The Igo M 38 can cover a 130-foot radius with a decent load capacity at the tip. It's not gonna lift a concrete pump, but it'll handle trusses, siding, and roofing all day.
Installation myth: There's a persistent belief that if you can get the crane on site, you're good. Wrong. For these wide subdivisions, you need to check the outrigger load. The Igo M 38 has an outrigger load of about 25 tons. That's fine on compacted gravel. But on fresh backfill? Or over a new utility trench? You'll need cribbing or concrete pads. I've seen a crew skip the cribbing to save a day, and the outrigger sank 6 inches. That's a crane that's now tilted. Don't skip the ground prep. It's the cheapest insurance you can buy.
Scenario C: The High-Heavy Lift (Ski Resort / Mountain Project)
You're replacing the HVAC unit on a lodge in Park City. Or you're building a retaining wall on a slope near Ogden. Access is steep. The load is heavy—things like prefab steel beams or concrete panels. And the hook height needs to be 80 feet or more to clear the existing structure.
The workhorse: A Potain MDT 218 or MCT 85 (if you can get the crawler setup).
For these jobs, a standard self erector won't cut it. You need a top-slewing or luffing jib crane. The self erector's jib is fixed, so you can't luff it to clear obstacles. The MCT 85, while not a 'self erector' in the traditional sense, is often the better choice because you can climb it with the building. But if you must have a self erecting option, the MDT 218 luffing crane is your beast. Yes, it's more expensive to transport, and yes, setup takes 2-3 days versus the Igo's 1 day. But it can lift a 4-ton load at a 100-foot radius. The Igo T 130 would struggle with that.
Power consumption reality check: The MDT 218 draws more power. We're talking 60-80 amps on 400V. For a remote mountain site, you're almost certainly running a generator. A standard predator generator you'd buy off the shelf for a job site (predator generator 8750 or similar) won't cut it. I learned this the hard way. You need a 60-75 kVA diesel generator. That's a big, loud piece of equipment. Plan for that in your logistics. I once saw a crew try to run one off a 30 kVA unit. The crane's controller kept throwing faults because the power dipped when the hydraulic pump engaged. Pay the extra for the bigger generator. It's cheaper than waving the white flag.
How to know which scenario you're in (a quick checklist)
Before you pick up the phone to your Potain dealer, ask yourself these three questions. They'll steer you to the right model 80% of the time.
- What is the single heaviest lift, and at what radius?
If it's over 3 tons and at 80ft+ radius, you're in Scenario C. Don't try to force a small self erector. - How much setup space do I have?
Less than 15ft wide? You're in Scenario A. The Igo T 130 is your friend. - Am I covering a spread-out building or a tall one?
Tall = Scenario C. Wide = Scenario B.
Don't get me wrong—Potain makes excellent cranes. But 'excellent' doesn't mean 'universal.' A crane is a tool. Pick the right tool for the job, and your project hums along. Pick the wrong one, and you're paying for a rental that's sitting idle while you wait for a flatbed to swap it. I've seen that happen. It's not pretty.
"In March 2024, we had a client who insisted on the Igo T 130 for a wide subdivision project because it was 'the only one available.' We spent three days trying to reach the far end of the building with a shorter jib. We finally swapped in an Igo M 26. The client paid $1,200 in extra crane truck fees. The 12-point checklist I created after that mistake has saved us an estimated $8,000 in potential rework."
So, take a minute. Look at your site map. Check your power supply. And then call your dealer. You'll save yourself a headache.
