Potain tower cranes tackle precast housing demands in Singapore

Several high-capacity Potain topless tower cranes — a mix of MCT 565A and MCT 1005 models — are hard at work on a new government housing project in western Singapore.

Several high-capacity Potain topless tower cranes, a mix of MCT 565A and MCT 1005 models, are being deployed on a new government housing project in western Singapore. The cranes, purchased by Tiong Woon Corporation (TWC), are handling the heavy lifting required for the Jurong West N4C22 project, which features a growing emphasis on precast construction.

Singapore’s Housing & Development Board (HDB) regulations mandate the use of pre-assembled bathroom units (PBUs) in new apartment buildings, driving demand for cranes capable of lifting these large, heavy components. On the Jurong West project, the Potain cranes are handling all precast elements, including the 22-ton dual-PBUs.

Additional Potain units will be installed on the site in the coming weeks, each working on a separate tower block. The cranes will be assembled to a height under hook of 45 meters. The MCT 565A models are equipped with 30- to 35-meter jibs, delivering tip capacities from 22.5 to 18.3 tons. The MCT 1005 cranes feature 40- or 45-meter jibs, corresponding to tip loads of 28.2 and 24.8 tons.

The MCT 1005 has a maximum capacity of 50 tons and can lift 25-ton loads at speeds up to 31 meters per minute. The MCT 565A has a maximum capacity of 32 tons and can lift 24-ton loads at speeds up to 22 meters per minute. Both crane models are designed to handle the 22-ton dual-PBUs, which arrive at the jobsite partially tiled and pre-assembled with piping, sanitary ware, windows, ceilings, cabinets and waterproofing, streamlining installation.

“Jobsites in Singapore are often space constrained, so the compact and topless design of the MCT 565A, paired with its short counter-jib, is well suited for our projects,” said Michael Ang, group CEO, TWC. “We are also deploying the MCT 1005 with a short counter-jib configuration, which provides good reach in our key projects. We are confident that both cranes will serve the project’s requirements effectively.”