Manitowoc launches another big Potain crane for Asian market

Manufacturer Manitowoc is launching another range-topping luffing jib tower crane from its factory in China – the Potain MCR 815.

Photo: Manitowoc

Its maximum capacity of 64 tonnes is double that of the Zhangjiagang, China plant’s current largest luffing jib crane, the 32 tonne capacity MCR 625.

It follows closely behind the manufacturer’s 7 April announcement of the 64 tonne capacity MR 819 luffer at the Bauma trade show in Germany.

Manitowoc said the development of the new crane was driven by its voice of the customer (VOC) process and was designed for work on infrastructure projects, including bridges, nuclear power plants, and high-rise buildings.

When rigged in three-fall reeving, the MCR 815’s maximum capacity can be lifted between 4.5 metres and 18 metres working radius when fitted with a 30 metre jib.

It can also lift its maximum 64 tonnes between 7 metres and 19.5 metres working radius when fitted with a 60 metre jib. In this configuration, it can still lift 7.5 tonnes at its jib end. When fitted with all nine jib sections to create the maximum 70 metres, the crane will lift tip loads of up to 7 tonnes with single-fall reeving.

For heavy-duty lifting, such as handling large precast elements, the crane will be able to lift 34 tonnes at the end of a 30 metre jib in two-fall reeving.

New winch

The crane comes equipped with a new hoist winch.

The 280 LVFC 213 can accommodate up to 831 metres of rope and has a 212 kW motor, producing line speeds from 62 metres per minute with a 6.9 tonnes load (in three-fall reeving) to 185 metres per minute with a 2.3 tonne payload (in single-fall reeving).

Photo: Manitowoc

There’s also a power control option that links to the hoist and other mechanisms, enabling the crane to operate with lower power for greater efficiency. The manufacturer said it’s an option particularly well-suited to the early stages of a project when less heavy lifting is required.

The 110 kW-rated 150 VVFC 90 luffing hoist can raise the jib from its minimum to maximum angle in just 2 minutes and 20 seconds.

Counterweight options

The MCR 815 has a 10 metre counterjib that can accommodate 72.9 tonnes of counterweight. Its out-of-service radius ranges from 18.25 metres to just 16 metres (depending on jib length), allowing it to be installed on sites with limited space.

When using jib configurations between 30 metres and 50 metres, the maximum free standing height is 65.6 metres, while for jib configurations up to 70 metres, the new luffer can be erected to a freestanding height of 60.6 metres. When tied to a building, it needs four anchoring frames to reach 205.6 metres with a 65 metre jib, or 230.6 metre with five anchorage frames and with a 70 metre jib.

“High-profile contractors and large rental houses across Asia and emerging markets will be able to complete large projects faster with the new Potain MCR 815,” said Leong Kwong-Joon, regional product manager for tower cranes at Manitowoc.

“But despite the impressive size of the new crane, we were also able to harness design architecture from our recent MCR 305 model to ensure we deliver a crane that offers the transport and assembly benefits that customers love with Potain cranes.”