When faced with erecting the world’s first Potain MDLT 1109 cranes, the largest topless cranes ever produced from Potain in Europe, Manitowoc technicians Cyrille Giamello and Massimo Rizzo braced themselves for a complex task, which was far easier than expected.
Manitowoc achieved an important milestone with the successful assembly of the world’s first Potain MDLT 1109 cranes. Replacing the hugely popular MD 1100, the MDLT 1109 is the largest topless crane ever produced from Potain in Europe. It features an impressive 40 t maximum load capacity and 80 m jib with an 11.1 t capacity at its tip.
Italian construction company ITINERA, a long-standing Potain partner, ordered four of these titans to help renovate the 1,067 m Gravagna viaduct on the Cisa highway, a vital artery connecting Parma and La Spezia. The cranes were required to dismantle and rebuild each segment of the viaduct in a step-by-step approach to maintain its structural integrity.
The experienced Manitowoc team meticulously planned the crane setup, calculated ballast block requirements, chose the assist crane, positioned the cranes strategically, and coordinated the arrival of crane components on site. Potain tower cranes are easily transportable, requiring minimal truckloads.
“We have assembled many Potain tower cranes over the years and were expecting a complicated job with these four MDLT 1109 units because of the impressive dimensions of the components,” explains Manitowoc technician Cyrille Giamello.
Each crane stands at 84 m tall with a robust 4 m by 4m and 5.78 m high base. Working with such heavy components demanded careful attention to detail, strict adherence to procedures, and a secure safety perimeter surrounding the mast during erection. Pre-assembly of components at ground level was completed to minimize the number of lifts.
“The work was certainly demanding but the final assembly of this new model turned out to be much simpler than expected,” Giamello continues.
Simplicity lies in design
A key factor in the surprisingly smooth installation was the modular K mast design of the new MDLT 1109. Composed of individual sections, these components can be effortlessly connected and disconnected, significantly contributing to the overall ease of assembly.
This simple design played a crucial role in overcoming the additional challenge of adverse weather conditions. As tower crane assembly cannot proceed in winds exceeding 50 km per hour, the team had to reschedule and adapt their methods on multiple occasions due to rain, wind, and even storms.
“The weather was bad and mostly rainy, windy, and stormy but the ease of assembly enabled us to respect the deadline for completing the work,” adds fellow technician Massimo Rizzo. “This is a testament to the exceptional quality and reliability of our products, and we are so proud to have been part of this milestone for Manitowoc.”
While the design of the new Potain MDLT 1109 cranes undoubtedly contributed significantly to their successful erection, the achievement also hinged on the experience, training, and professionalism of the Manitowoc team. Their skill and dedication were instrumental in overcoming challenges and ensuring a smooth, efficient assembly process.
The four Potain MDLT 1109 cranes will continue to work on the Gravagna viaduct project until summer 2025. At that point, Giamello, Rizzo and their colleagues will return to disassemble these remarkable giants, showcasing their expertise once again.
The cranes are equipped with the new Potain CONNECT™ telematics system. This remote technology platform ensures greater uptime for cranes through faster identification and resolution of issues, preventing escalation through earlier insight. It offers remote access to crane data for troubleshooting and fleet management, enabling Potain customers to get more from their machines.
Visit the Manitowoc website to learn more about the Potain MDLT 1109 top-slewing crane.
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