Manitowoc made waves at Bauma CHINA 2024 with the unveiling of the Potain MCT 2205, its largest topless tower crane from the Asia range. Designed and built in Zhangjiagang, China, this flat-top tower crane sets a new benchmark with its impressive 80-ton maximum capacity and 80-meter jib, delivering the performance of Potain’s largest hammerhead cranes with the added benefits of topless designs, such as simplified transport, quick assembly, and a streamlined profile.
The Potain MCT 2205 is engineered to handle heavy loads across expansive construction sites while maintaining an efficient footprint. Despite being the largest crane produced in Zhangjiagang, it offers exceptional transportability: the entire top-slewing structure, including all 11 jib sections, can be transported using just 16 trailers or containers. For added versatility, the crane is compatible with Potain’s R99A or R910A mast sections and features multiple configurations for height under hook, including 71 meters with PA950 fixing angles or 99.9 meters with PA952 fixing angles.
The crane’s payload capacity is equally impressive. At the full 80-meter jib length, it can lift 23.5 tons at the jib’s tip. For shorter configurations, it achieves its maximum capacity of 80 tons at distances of 5 to 26.3 meters, or up to 30.5 meters when using a 45- or 50-meter jib setup.
The Potain MCT 2205 is tailor-made for large-scale infrastructure projects, power plants, and other complex construction sites. Its productivity is further enhanced by two counterjib options: a 25.2-meter counterjib for maximum balance and efficiency or a shorter 20.2-meter counterjib for operations in tighter spaces.
Powered by Manitowoc’s advanced technology, the crane comes equipped with the 280 LVFC 200 Optima hoisting winch, which enables lifting speeds of up to 12 meters per minute for 80-ton loads. It also features a 25 DVFC 35 trolley system with infinitely adjustable speeds up to 25 meters per minute for horizontal movement and four RVFC 194 Optima+ slewing motors providing precise control of upper structure rotation. These mechanisms are complemented by the ergonomic V140S Vision Cab, ensuring operators have full visibility and control in even the busiest jobsites.
Kwong Joon Leong, Regional Product Manager at Manitowoc, highlighted the demand for cranes like the MCT 2205:
“Manitowoc has leveraged its decades of expertise in developing large-capacity tower cranes to design a topless crane that meets our customers’ lifting requirements in this new era of construction. We are already seeing significant interest from projects requiring heavy lifting, such as power plants and large-scale infrastructure developments.”
The Potain MCT 2205 aligns with industry trends that prioritize efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability. By reducing the number of transport units required and offering compact counterjib options, the crane optimizes logistics and reduces its impact on crowded construction sites.
As construction projects grow larger and more complex, cranes like the Potain MCT 2205 are set to redefine the possibilities of heavy lifting. Manitowoc’s focus on combining high-capacity performance with compact, topless designs positions the MCT 2205 as a game-changer in the industry.
Bauma CHINA 2024 served as the perfect stage for Manitowoc to showcase this innovation, drawing attention from contractors, project managers, and industry professionals worldwide. With the Potain MCT 2205, Manitowoc reinforces its reputation as a global leader in tower crane technology, and its Zhangjiagang facility continues to drive innovation tailored to the evolving demands of Asia’s construction landscape.
“The MCT 2205 is not just a crane; it’s a solution for modern construction challenges,” said Leong. “We’re excited to see how it transforms worksites in the years to come.”
