The Manitowoc Company brand Potain has introduced its latest tower crane, the MDT 1609, with the first unit now operational at Karl Bachl Betonwerke’s site in Bavaria, Germany.
This new model is the largest topless crane produced by Potain to date, and can lift up to 40t, with an 80m maximum jib and a 14.1t capacity at jib end.
The MDT 1609 crane has been erected at a height of 40.2m at the Karl Bachl Betonwerke facility, where it is primarily used to handle goods in the company’s storage yard.
It operates across two daily shifts, managing a variety of loads that include precast concrete segments weighing up to its full 40t capacity.
The extended reach of 80m has enabled Karl Bachl Betonwerke to optimise its yard space and improve workflows for loading and pre-loading shipments.
According to Potain, the MDT 1609 incorporates advanced technology aimed at efficient, sustainable operations.
Notable features include an integrated energy storage system, which captures kinetic energy during load lowering operations and recycles it to reduce overall energy consumption.
The company states that this function is intended to help Karl Bachl Betonwerke achieve its sustainability objectives.
In addition, the crane includes Potain’s Crane Control System (CCS), which is designed to enable precise handling and facilitate fast set-up, with operations able to begin within 15 minutes of installation.
The crane is also equipped with Potain CONNECT, the manufacturer’s onboard telematics system that allows for remote maintenance and diagnostic tasks, to improve operational reliability and reduce downtime for users.
The installation at the Karl Bachl Betonwerke site was managed by Potain dealer Moser Baumaschinen and Manitowoc’s Lift Solutions team.
Manitowoc Lift Solutions tower cranes manager Bernard Ecabert said: “For the MDT 1609, we required all our engineering know-how and close cooperation with Moser Baumaschinen, with whom we’ve worked for over 30 years as a Potain dealer. The result was a huge success.
“The Potain MDT 1609 is the first in an exciting new line of Maxi-MDT cranes – high-performance topless cranes with the latest technology to tackle some of the most challenging applications.”
The MDT 1609 was installed on an existing circular mast from the previous tower crane at the facility.
Engineers designed a 3.2m diameter, 1.55m tall adapter weighing 7.5t to connect the new upperworks to the existing structure.
Established in 1926, Karl Bachl Betonwerke operates as part of the BACHL Group. The company engages in the production of building materials and undertakes a range of construction projects.
