Crane manufacturer Manitowoc has assembled four Potain MDLT 1109 tower cranes on behalf of Italian construction company Itinera to help refurbish the Gravagna viaduct near Genoa. The top slewing cranes, launched in May this year, are the world’s first MDLT 1109 models; they are also the largest top-slewing cranes produced by Potain in Europe. They have a 40-tonne maximum capacity and a 11.1 tonne capacity at a maximum reach of 80 metres.
Itinera is dismantling and rebuilding the Gravagna viaduct on the Cisa highway, a key artery connecting Parma and La Spezia. The project demands a segment-by-segment approach mirroring the original construction sequence for structural integrity.
The MDLT 1109 replaces Potain’s MD 1100 with two main upgrades: a modular K mast design; and the addition of Manitowoc’s Crane Control System (CCS). K masts have individual sections that can be easily assembled and disassembled for flexible configuration and efficient transportation. The design also enables Potain’s Cab-IN internal mast operator lift to be specified. The CCS is designed to streamline setup, optimise lifting performance, and provide real-time crane data and diagnostics.
Speaking about the assembly Manitowoc technician Cyrille Giamello said: “We have assembled many Potain tower cranes over the years and were expecting a complicated job with these four MDLT 1109 units because of the impressive dimensions of the components. The work was certainly demanding but the final assembly turned out to be much simpler than anticipated, which enabled us to respect the deadline for the work.”
