Gulf Construction Online - Potain topless model leads in 450-tonne class

Cranes

Potain MDT 489 ... suited for large-scale construction.

Potain topless model leads in 450-tonne class

01 October 2021

The new Potain MDT 489 topless crane is ideal for large-scale construction and infrastructure projects, especially the installation of large, prefabricated components, as well as for shipyards and mines with heavy loads to handle, says Manitowoc Cranes.

It combines high capacity, compact configuration, ease of transport and optimised assembly and disassembly to make the new Potain model a lifting leader in the 450-tonne category, adds the US-headquartered manufacturer which owns five brands of cranes: Grove, National Crane, Shuttlelift, Manitowoc, and Potain.

The new model, manufactured at Potain’s facilities in France, fills the gap between the popular MDT 389 and new MDT 569 models.

Potain MDT 489 ... suited for large-scale construction.

Available in two versions, the MDT 489 delivers a high capacity with a maximum load of 20 tonnes or 25 tonnes within a 262 ft (80 m) radius and can be configured to make best use of the space and equipment available on the jobsite – all while offering the cost-saving benefits of easy transport and quick assembly and disassembly, says a spokesman for the company.

In addition, its compact crane configuration enables it to operate on tight and congested sites. All components, save the slewing mechanism, can be transported in standard-sized shipping containers.

“The rotating section of the MDT 489 can be transported in just nine containers. That is four or five fewer than needed for a typical crane of this size, decreasing transport cost and complexity, as well as making access to the jobsite much simpler,” the spokesman explains.

When the MDT 489 arrives at the jobsite, it is said to be twice as quick to assemble as other cranes of a similar size. With a 80-m jib and 50-m mast, assembly takes a maximum of two days and requires very little space, he says.

The MDT 489 can be placed on a 6 m or 8 m cross-base platform and assembled in various configurations to best use the space and equipment available on the jobsite. The jib has been designed for easy and efficient erection with built-in slinging points. The jib sections can be assembled in different configurations to offer jobsite flexibility according to the assist crane size and ground space available. The heaviest jib section weighs only 6.7 tonnes. The rotating cab and thoughtful design of the counter-jib connection points also make for easy mounting, according to the manufacturer.

“Using Manitowoc’s Crane Control System (CCS), the MDT 489 can be set up in just 15 minutes. Moreover, this feature promotes highly controlled and efficient operation throughout the crane’s time on the jobsite. The trolley offers two falls for fast duty-cycle lifting or four falls for heavy lifting. The wire ropes for the trolley can be tensioned and then the sensor recalibrated simply by using a push-button inside the operator cab. This is ideal for long-term jobsites that require more frequent tensioning. Once the MDT 489 has completed its work on the jobsite, it can be quickly and easily disassembled, ready to make way for other cranes or move on to its next job,” the spokesman says.

Customers have the option of the new high-performance 110 HPL winch or the 150 HPL. Productivity is dramatically increased with the new 110 HPL winch, as lifting speeds are up to twice that of the older 100 LVF winch, he says.

“This feature, in combination with new motor brake management and a new architecture that facilitates maintenance operations, means the 110 HPL winch speeds up construction times, improves overall driving comfort and provides more precise load placement. These performance improvements do not increase power consumption, and maintenance is easier. Additionally, with the Power Control functionality, it is possible to limit the maximum electric power required for the crane operation without impacting low-load and no-load working speeds,” the spokesman points out.

Like all Potain CCS cranes, the MDT 489 is equipped with the CraneStar Diag solution. Potain’s remote diagnostic tool allows the customer to consult the machine’s activity in real time. Thanks in particular to the forecasting of maintenance operations and advanced diagnostic assistance, the customer can optimise the availability of its cranes and the return on investment. The recovery of operating data allows the measurement of the crane utilisation and load rates in order to optimise productivity and operational efficiency on construction sites, he adds.

“The Potain MDT 489 topless crane has the most highly optimised assembly and disassembly process for a crane in the 450-tonne category and helps to save costs while enjoying the benefits of a high-capacity crane. It combines the capacity necessary for large construction projects with a compact crane configuration for the tightest and most congested jobsites, enabling contractors to access more sites and complete the job efficiently and profitably,” the spokesman concludes.