Potain unveils new topless product range at bauma 2016

Manitowoc will show three of its most advanced Potain tower cranes at bauma 2016, including the first from a new product line. The MDT 389 is representing the new line and will be shown alongside the MDT 219 and the powerful MR 418 luffing jib crane. All three cranes are being exhibited at a trade show in Europe for the first time. 

Introducing Potain’s latest CCS range

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The MDT 389 is actually the largest in the new line of topless cranes from Potain, all of which are equipped with Manitowoc’s Crane Control System, or CCS. The complete range includes the MDT 249, MDT 259, MDT 269, MDT 319 and the MDT 389.

CCS is a revolutionary, user-friendly operating system that will eventually be featured on all new Potain tower cranes, helping users enjoy the highest levels of comfort, flexibility, ergonomic control and improved lifting capacity. This enhanced productivity will translate to faster return on investment for Potain crane owners. 

“We are at the forefront of tower crane development and with the introduction of CCS to our Potain cranes we are securing our market leadership position for years to come,” said Jean-Noel Daguin, SVP of Potain tower cranes at Manitowoc. “For decades Potain has built tower cranes that are easy to assemble, flexible in configuration and simple to use. Our worldwide engineering teams worked for years to make this new crane range a reality. Now, our cranes are better than ever, with features that surpass anything currently available in the market.”

Like other Potain topless cranes, the MDT 389 is well-suited to crowded job sites where space is tight and multiple cranes are needed, as their design allows more cranes to over-swing in smaller areas. Thibaut Le Besnerais, Potain’s global product director for top-slewing tower cranes, said there were a host of other features that make Potain’s MDT cranes some of the best around. 

“In addition to having a fresh and modern design that allows for ultra-fast ground preparation and assembly, the MDT range easily beats the competition when it comes to transportation. For example, the turntable, cab mast and Ultra View cab travel in a single compact package, while the counter jib can be folded and the winch platform can be sized to take up less space,” he said. “In addition, the mechanisms are grouped in a central technical zone for easier access and maintenance.”

As part of its standard features, the MDT 389 is equipped with Manitowoc’s CraneSTAR set-up, a GSM data transfer system that provides information on crane location and operation, supporting fleet management. There are two versions of the Potain MDT 389, one with a 12 t maximum capacity and the other with a 16 t maximum capacity. Both have up to 75 m of jib available, and the 12 t version can lift 3.4 t at its jib end, while the 16 t version can handle 3.3 t. The 16 t version will be shows at bauma 2016 

Better control and operations for city center lifting

The CCS operating system was first seen on Potain tower cranes in June 2015 during an event at Manitowoc’s facility in Saint-Pierre-de-Chandieu, France, attended by customers and press. At this time, Potain introduced a smaller range of CCS-equipped cranes, the MDT City line, which includes the MDT 219 which is being shown at bauma 2016. Other cranes in the range are the MDT 109, MDT 139 and MDT 189. 

Like the MDT 389, the MDT 219 is highest capacity model in its range. There are two versions of the MDT 219, one with an 8 t maximum capacity and one with a 10 t maximum capacity. The unit on show at bauma 2016 will be the 8 t version. All are evolutions of previous MDT City cranes with jib lengths ranging from 55 m to 65 m and hoisting capacities ranging from 6 t to 10 t.

Incorporating CCS into the new range of Potain topless city cranes helps contractors get work done faster and with greater precision. For the operator there are greater levels of comfort and ergonomic control, but the technology also delivers more precise control in positioning loads as well as increased capacity. In fact, for the MDT 219, the inclusion of CCS gives the crane a load chart advantage of up to 12.5 percent over the MDT 218 A, the equivalent pre-CCS topless city crane from Potain.

At the launch event to introduce the new MDT City cranes in mid-2015, Manitowoc also previewed two new crane operator elevator solutions, both developed in partnership with Alimak Hek. These solutions provide fast and efficient transportation for the operator to and from the cab and have been produced to meet the highest level of regulations, which are particularly relevant in countries including France and The Netherlands, as well as in Scandinavian countries. 

One of the solutions, CabLIFT, is exclusive to Potain cranes and this system will be shown at bauma 2016, fitted on the MDT 219. Its design is slender enough to fit inside all K-mast systems from Potain, which come in three widths: 1.6 m, 2.0 m and 2.45 m. It is also compatible with all tower crane bases, fixing angles, chassis and cross-shaped bases. CabLIFT’s intelligent design includes a service platform above the main car which provides comfortable access and safety for the erection technicians during the mast assembly process and the crane erection. The other operator elevator solution is TCL, an externally-mounted system. Both systems will be commercially available in time for bauma 2016. 

Potain MR 418 showcased in Europe

The Potain MR 418 is the first in an updated line of luffing jib cranes introduced in 2014, each of which is equipped with full frequency-controlled mechanisms for precision control. Maximum capacity for the crane is 24 t and the maximum jib length is 60 m. It is an extremely compact crane that’s quick to assemble, quick to commission and capable of extremely fast lifting speeds on high-rise job sites. The crane delivers its best performance when fitted with the optional 270 LVF 120 hoist (designated the 320 LVF 120 in the U.S.), which offers industry-leading lifting capability and is perfect for power plants or high-rise buildings, including supertall structures.

The 200 kW (270 hp) hoist provides 826 m of rope capacity which means that in a single-fall configuration a hook path of 826 m is possible, while in a two-fall configuration, 413 m of vertical reach is possible. In addition, the winch can reach speeds of up to 254 m/min for better productivity, while the power control function means it can operate off varying power inputs, allowing it to cope with lower power supplies on site. Furthermore, it can automatically adapt to a 50 Hz or 60 Hz power network, making it easier to move to between countries.

Customers not requiring the full power of the 270 LVF 120 hoist can choose the 110 kW (150 hp) 150 LVF 120 hoist (which is designated the 180 LVF 120 in the U.S., and is featured as standard). This hoist has a drum capacity of 552 m and can produce line speeds of up to 210 m/min. The flexibility of choice with the design means customers can select the optimal configuration for them, ensuring they earn the best possible financial returns for their particular requirements. 

But it’s not only new mechanisms and better lift capabilities that are likely to appeal to customers. The crane’s user-friendly design has the luffing mechanism and hoist uniquely mounted inside the counterjib, while there is also a large, easily-accessible service platform behind the cab, giving technicians a single location from which to access all major service points.

Quickly getting the crane into service comes courtesy of a new on-board control system that allows the technician to put the crane into operation just minutes after assembly is completed. Simple input of the jib length, working height and test load into the crane’s control board allows for a fast and accurate calibration.

In terms of working height, Potain’s intelligent mast system gives the crane enhanced flexibility to cope with the challenges of modern high-rise buildings. The crane can be installed on fixing angles or on various sized chassis of 6 m x 6 m; 8 m x 8 m; and 10 m x 10 m. For example, a free-standing height of 90 m can be achieved on a 10 m x 10 m chassis when fitted with 30 m of jib. And with its design focus on high-rise applications, the crane needs only three anchorages to reach a working height of 197 m when fitted with 30 m of jib and fixing angle P850A (wind condition FEM 1.001).