Potain MDT 99e launches with new CCS Evolution control system

Potain MDT 99e: compact 5-tonne topless crane debuts CCS Evolution control

Manitowoc has added the MDT 99e to Potain’s MDT City range, a compact topless tower crane with a 5-tonne maximum capacity, jib lengths from 25 to 55 m and the first installation of the manufacturer’s new CCS Evolution control system.

Aimed at congested urban and residential jobsites, the MDT 99e lifts 1.2 tonnes at the tip of its 55 m jib and complies with the forthcoming EN 14439:2025 European design standard for tower cranes. The crane runs a 25 LVF 13 Optima variable-frequency winch rigged in permanent four-fall reeving, and is compatible with existing 1.2 m K masts and L masts, so it can slot into established Potain fleets without new tower stock.

First outing for CCS Evolution

The headline change is the CCS Evolution control system, which builds on Potain’s established Crane Control System with smoother movement and greater precision for the operator, plus a touchscreen interface intended to speed up commissioning and simplify maintenance for technicians. Operators can personalise control settings to their own preferences — a point Manitowoc says makes the crane well suited to rental fleets where several drivers share one machine.

“Space constraints continue to challenge contractors, particularly in urban environments where every square meter matters. The MDT 99e delivers the ideal combination of compact design, lifting performance, and ease of installation. Combined with the new CCS Evolution control system, it gives owners and operators a smarter, more productive crane for today’s construction projects and tomorrow’s regulatory requirements.”

— Thibaut Le Besnerais, VP marketing and product development, Potain

Familiar Potain technology carries over: Potain Plus software to optimise lift speed and capacity, the Top Site anti-collision system and Power Control, which keeps the crane working on a variable power supply. The Ultra View cab is available as an option.

Built for quick assembly

Assembly crews get easy access to the jib and counter-jib from the base, and components have been optimised for transport and erection. Manitowoc offers two alternative designs of the crane: one for owners working mostly on congested urban sites, and one for customers who regularly assemble their cranes by helicopter — a nod to Alpine and other hard-to-reach markets.

The MDT 99e is positioned as the entry point to the latest Potain technology, compatible with the Potain CONNECT telematics platform and, according to the manufacturer, designed throughout to cut cost of ownership through simplified maintenance and shared componentry.