Historic preservation meets high-tech lifts

By Jesse Sanchez   

Rooftop restorations demand finesse, and this equipment delivers. 

When it comes to preserving America’s historic buildings, roofing contractors are finding help from an unexpected place: German-engineered lifts and cranes. In this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, host Heidi J. Ellsworth spoke with Tony Hutton, founder of Lifting Equipment Solutions (LES), about how his foreign engineered machinery is helping contractors navigate the delicate art of heritage rooftops. 

Tony shared one such case, where LES equipment is being used by Wagner Roofing, a company in Maryland known for working on high-profile historic projects. According to Tony, their decision to purchase LES’s lightweight, self-driving crane wasn’t about speed but rather about trust and precision. 

Wagner Roofing’s move to using LES equipment is just one example of a growing trend in the industry: using tailored equipment to minimize risk and maximize control on sensitive sites. “They purchased this crane last year from me for those very reasons,” said Tony. “We never want to stop getting better.” 

The equipment Tony offers is designed for this kind of work. Unlike heavy crane trucks that can damage landscaping or historic grounds, LES machines are built for tight access and low impact. “You couldn’t take anything else,” he noted. 

The benefits go beyond protection. Contractors are also seeing returns on efficiency and morale. “Talented craftsmen have to have good equipment, good tools to work well with,” Tony said. “If they work for a company that gives them broken down machinery, they won’t even be able to draw it out of their soul to do craftsman-quality work.” 

Thoughtful equipment selection isn’t just about logistics; it’s a strategic decision for legacy projects, employee pride and long-term profitability. For roofing contractors focused on high-end homes, landmarks or coastal properties, Tony’s message is that preservation starts from the ground up and the right lift can make all the difference. 

Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast to learn more about real-world examples and insights from the jobsite!