A Potain MDT 98 is working on construction of a new official building for the Diocese of Foligno in Umbria, Italy, to a design by architect Massimiliano Fuksas. Work started on the project in July 2005 and will continue until November of this year.

The crane is the only lifting equipment on site and is placing a variety of construction materials including prefabricated panels, which weigh 1.3t, and steel beams, which weigh 1.5t. The MDT 98 is also working with a special suction cup attachment to place stained glass in the structure, which will ultimately cover over 400 sq m and weigh over 24t.

The MDT 98 has a 6t maximum capacity and can handle 1.2t at its maximum jib length of 55m. On the Foligno project, the crane is working with 50m of jib and at a height under hook of 37m. The crane is operated on site solely via remote control.

The main contractor on the job is Ediltecnica based in Sant’Eraclio, Foligno. Local Potain dealer Gavarini Machine Srl based in Cerbara – Città di Castello rented the crane to Ediltecnica.

Also in Umbria, in Citta’ Di Castello, another Gavarini Machine Potain assisted with building work for the Catholic Church. An MC 68 C handled restoration and reinforcement work on the Bishop’s Episcopal Palace. The crane belongs to CESA di Falcini Enzo, a local company that specialises in the preservation of culturally significant sites.

The MC 68 C has a capacity of 3 t and can lift 1 t at its 46 m jib end. For the Citta’ Di Castello job, the crane worked with 45 m of jib at a height under hook of 37.8 m. Work on the project started in July 2004 and was completed last month. One main aspect of the job was a comprehensive overhaul to restore the original facade of the palace. A second, and possibly the most difficult, aspect was the installation of a technical joint system linking the palace with the adjacent Civic Tower. Steel beams create a network that joins the two structures allowing them to support each other while still moving independently. This joint system is significant given the age of the buildings (both are over 500 years old) and the condition of the ground, which is in the middle of a flood plain.


A Potain MC 68 C at work in Citta’ Di Castello, Umbria MC 68 C A Potain MDT 98 in Foligno, Umbria MDT 98