Potain launches heavyweight MDT 1609, first crane goes to Germany

Potain launches heavyweight MDT 1609 topless crane with first unit delivered in Germany

Potain has unveiled the MDT 1609, now the largest topless crane in its range with a 40-tonne maximum capacity, and handed the first unit to building materials group BACHL, where it works two shifts a day at Karl Bachl Betonwerke in Bavaria.

Potain MDT 1609 tower crane handling precast concrete at the Karl Bachl Betonwerke storage yard

Potain MDT 1609 topless tower crane with 80 m jib at the BACHL Group facility in Germany

Adapter connecting the Potain MDT 1609 upperworks to the existing mast at Karl Bachl Betonwerke

The MDT 1609 lifts 14.1 t at the end of its 80 m jib, making it one of the most powerful cranes in its class. It opens a new line of Maxi-MDT topless cranes aimed at heavy-duty applications. At the Karl Bachl Betonwerke headquarters the crane has been erected to a height of 40.2 m and moves goods around the storage yard, including precast concrete segments weighing up to 40 t. The long jib lets the company make better use of its yard space and streamline loading and pre-loading for shipments.

Energy recovery and quick commissioning

The new flagship carries an integrated energy storage system that captures kinetic energy as loads are lowered and recycles it, cutting the crane’s overall energy consumption. Potain’s Crane Control System (CCS) provides controlled load handling and allows crane operations to be set up in just 15 minutes after installation. The customer is also using Potain CONNECT, the on-board telematics system that enables remote diagnosis and maintenance to maximise uptime.

Mounted on the previous crane’s mast

Rather than erecting a complete new tower, the MDT 1609 was installed on the existing circular mast of the site’s previous tower crane. Long-standing Potain dealer Moser Baumaschinen and Manitowoc’s Lift Solutions engineering team developed a special adapter to connect the new upperworks to the old mast. The adapter measures 3.2 m in diameter, stands 1.55 m tall and weighs 7.5 t.

“Each project for Lift Solutions is unique because we are tailoring engineered solutions specifically to the project. For the MDT 1609, we required all our engineering know-how and close cooperation with Moser Baumaschinen, with whom we’ve worked for over 30 years as a Potain dealer. The result was a huge success. The Potain MDT 1609 is the first in an exciting new line of Maxi-MDT cranes – high-performance topless cranes with the latest technology to tackle some of the most challenging applications.”

— Bernard Ecabert, Lift Solutions manager for tower cranes, Manitowoc

Karl Bachl Betonwerke is part of the BACHL Group, one of Europe’s leading construction and building materials companies. Founded in 1926, the group employs 2,600 people across production and sales sites in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania and Croatia.

Facts

Potain MDT 1609 – largest topless crane in the Potain range
Maximum capacity: 40 t
Jib length: up to 80 m; 14.1 t at jib end
Erected height at Karl Bachl Betonwerke: 40.2 m
Mast adapter: 3.2 m diameter, 1.55 m tall, 7.5 t
First of the new Maxi-MDT line

New Cranes

Potain launches heavyweight MDT 1609, first crane goes to Germany