Side Story: Hydro Mobile's Contribution to Historic Boston

Rented and serviced by Hydro Mobile's regional distributor Marr Scaffolding, 31 mast climbers are being used by Dimeo Construction Co. to perform the exterior facade work on the Avenir building, a luxury 241-unit rental project built on atop, and partially supported by, the structure of Boston's MBTA North Super Station.

Dimeo, a family-owned and -operated company, ranks among the top 100 construction managers in the United States. With 250 employees and projects running all over New England, the company's continued success demands a careful choice of partners, suppliers and sub-contractors.

Hydro Mobile's engineering department took care of the setup design and Marr Scaffolding went onsite to handle the erection. Eighteen P-Series climbers were installed to provide access to corners, restrained areas and recesses. Thirteen M-Series climbers were used for the rest of the 380,000-square-foot facade.

Teams from Dimeo and their associated sub-contractors attended training seminars at Marr Scaffolding and were certified to operate the mast climbers. Since May 2008, Dimeo has fully taken advantage of those 1,300 lineal feet of Hydro Mobile. The mast climbers, with capacities ranging from 6,000 to 38,000 pounds, were ideal for heavy works involving metal panels, structural steel, relieving angles and masonry. Multi-trade subcontractors, which included tasks such as carpenters, glazers, ironworkers, laborers, waterproofers, roofers and masons, utilized the platforms to the fullest extent in completing the structural steel and exterior facade elements.

"Hydro Mobile offers six different models to answer the specific needs of any trade in the industry," says Bill Lederman of Marr Scaffolding. "The work area is ideal for all trades and all types of materials. Decks are five to seven feet wide, lengths go from 40 inches to 138 feet, and all models have a lower working area. Hydro Mobile mast climbers offer a safe, ergonomic and comfortable work environment and contribute to improve onsite productivity."

The Avenir is scheduled for completion in July 2009.

• Return to the feature story: "The Mast Climber Advantage"

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