Potain’s leading MCT topless crane getsan upgrade.
Potain is launching two new MCT 385A cranes; updates to the popularMCT 385, the first topless model from the company’s plant in Zhangjiagang,China.
- The upgraded models boast a number of improvements inworking height, lift capacity, and load curve.
- The newly engineered 75 m jib shows greatest improvement atlonger jib lengths while freestanding height is increased up to 5.0 m.
Potain’s market-leading MCT 385 towercrane has undergone a comprehensive series of improvements, boostingfreestanding height and increasing the load curve along the jib, as well as extendingthe offering with the addition of a new 16T capacity option. Now renamed theMCT 385A, it is set to extend its appeal even further across its core markets:Asia, Latin America, Russia, the Middle East, Africa and Australia and NewZealand.
As the first topless crane to beproduced from the Potain factory in Zhangjiagang, China, the 20T capacity MCT385 was an immediate hit when it launched in 2012. A 14T capacity modelfollowed later, and was awarded ‘Tower Crane of the Year’ at bauma CTT Russia in2019.
“The new models have inherited theentire core DNA (of the predecessor), ensuring the quality continues fromdesign to production,” said Wang Lei, Senior Vice President of Manitowoc emergingmarkets.
Morechoice for owners
Now updated, enhanced, and renamed,this proven performer is available in two configurations: the new MCT 385A L20, or MCT 385A L16. Thanks to a jib that has benefitted from a new designand extra reinforcement, the MCT 385A L20 boasts an even greater tip load thanits predecessor.
At 75 m, the capacity is now 3.4T – ahuge proportional gain on the previous figure of 2.7T. The new L16 model offerscapacities of 12.4T at 30 m, or 3.8T at the end of its 75 m jib.
Height performance has also beenenhanced, with both new models offering a better maximum freestanding height of68.2 m, compared with the 64.9 m of the original MCT 385, or the 65.3 m of theMCT 385 L14. The original, compact, high-performance 2.0 m cross-section masthas been retained, however, providing compatibility with the 3.33 m or 5.0 mmast inserts that enable height under hook to be adjusted in 1.66 m increments.
Such flexible design guarantees ongoingappeal for fleet owners as well as adaptability for use in a variety ofcongested urban projects that are the natural habitat of the MCT 385. Threecounter-jib options, ranging from 14 m to 22 m in length with counterweight blocksof 4.85T and/or 3.15T, support this suitability, along with the otherwell-known performance advantages of Potain’s topless cranes.
Configureit your way
Each model offers a convenient choiceof frequency-controlled hoisting and trolley mechanisms, deliveringcontinuously variable speeds to make the handling and positioning of every pickas precise and convenient as possible. For maximum productivity, a customer couldselect the 150/180 HPL 50 GH hoist option on the new L20.
The 150 HPL 50 GH and 180 HPL 50 GHwinches are the same physical model; however, when power comes from a 400 V 50Hz supply, the winch is the 150 HPL version. And, for markets where the powersupply is 480 V 60 Hz, the winch delivers the performance characteristics ofthe 180 HPL.
When operating as a 180 HPL winch, the cranecan raise loads of 2.5T at up to 150.5 m/min. When operating as the 150 HPL,2.5T can be lifted at up to 144 m/min.
The L16 variant’s top-performing hoistis the 100 LVF 40, which can lift 8.0T at 44.5 m/min, using either 400 V 50 Hzor 480 V 60 Hz power supplies. Servicing these mechanisms is straightforwardtoo, as they are conveniently located for mechanics to reach.
Like all Potain cranes, the MCT 385Aoffers a high level of convenience in terms of transportation to or from thejobsite. The ability to pre-assemble certain parts of the crane before they areloaded onto trucks (just 10 standard truckloads or containers are typicallyrequired for transport) reduces on-site build time, coupled with the simple andrapid assembly enabled by an abundance of slinging points and its light weight.
The assembly process can also be adaptedto suit individual preference too. For example, the spacious and comfortableair-conditioned cab can either be added to the towerhead sub-assembly at groundlevel or at height.