- The Potain MCT 135 tower crane was launched in 2021 and is built at the Manitowoc plant in Zhangjiagang, China
- After enjoying commercial success in many emerging markets, the crane will now also be built in Pune, India
- The units built in India will serve the growing demand in the local market for topless tower cranes. It will be offered in both 6 t and 8 t versions.
Manitowoc has kickstarted the production of its popular Potain MCT 135 topless tower crane at its plant in Pune, India. The company announced the new addition to local production at Excon 2022, which took place in Bengaluru this May.
As customer demand grows for topless tower cranes, the Company is expecting the new addition to become an instant hit both in India and the surrounding markets. Manitowoc already builds another Potain topless crane at its Pune factory, the smaller Potain MCT 85.
With the announcement of the India-built Potain MCT 135, Manitowoc also said it will gradually phase out production of the saddle jib MC 125 tower crane. The MCT 135 offers improved strength and easier transport and assembly compared with the MC 125.
Prashant Suryawanshi, managing director for Manitowoc Cranes India, said there was already substantial interest in the locally produced MCT 135.
“Customers are impressed with the performance of the crane, especially its lifting capability across the load curve,” he said. “It also delivers speed, flexibility, and can be sited on even the most compact projects. With two models available, customers can select the one that is right for their needs.”
The MCT 135 was launched at Manitowoc’s facility in Zhangjiagang, China in 2021. The H6 version can lift up to 6 t and handle the load out to a maximum of 19.3 m when working with its full 60 m jib. For the H8 version, up to 8 t can be lifted out as far as 15.3 m when fitted with the full jib. With its full complement of 60 m of jib, the entire top part of the crane will travel in just five containers. It can be assembled in about 1.5 days on a well-prepared job site.
Quick and easy
The crane is mounted on Potain’s popular 1.6 m (L46) mast sections which have pinned joints, for fast and easy connection. There are also two counter-jib set-ups to increase the MCT 135’s suitability for tight working conditions. And further flexibility comes from the seven jib sections that can be tailored in configurations from 30 m to 60 m of horizontal reach.
The latest frequency-controlled mechanisms ensure lifting operations are conducted at an optimal rate, whether through high-speed movements for material transfer or super slow speeds for precise positioning.
Multiple choice
The H8 benefits from the 40 LVFC 20-1 Optima hoist that allows the MCT 135 to raise 1 t at up to 98 m/min, and 4 t at 40.5 m/min. It also offers an impressive 375 m rope capacity. With a 400 m rope capacity, the H6’s 33 LVF 15 Optima can raise 0.75 t at 102 m/min, and 3 t at 36 m/min. Benefiting from the continuously variable speed control, both models now offer lowering speeds that can be up to 25% faster than hoisting speeds. Each model has two trolley options and a choice of two slewing mechanisms.
Manitowoc’s new tower crane underwent extensive testing at its Zhangjiagang facility right from the design stage to ensure a long service life and a five-year warranty on structural parts.
Learn more about Potain MCT 135 H6 and Potain MCT 135 H8.
