A Potain MDT 809 tower crane has been successfully installed at the Borgo Roma Hospital construction site in Verona, Italy, in a complex operation carried out by CEER Res Omnia.
The crane will play a key role in the hospital’s major retrofitting project, which is scheduled to continue through to 2028. CEER Res Omnia is a long-standing Potain partner and led the challenging installation.
The MDT 809 was mounted on a metal lattice structure around 44 metres above ground level. It was configured with 20 metres of mast sections and a 45-metre jib. One of the most powerful cranes in the Potain range, the MDT 809 has a maximum lifting capacity of 40 tonnes and can lift 20 tonnes at the jib tip, making it well suited to the demands of the project.
A critical part of the installation was the design and construction of the lattice structure, which needed to support the crane while allowing it to be repositioned to four different locations as construction progresses. The structure was engineered by CIMOLAI, an industrial group specialising in large-scale steel fabrication, and incorporates a custom-designed metal trolley system.
The crane’s stability at each stage of the installation was carefully analysed by Manitowoc’s Lift Solutions department. This work was carried out in collaboration with Gianluigi Consolaro, Service Director for Manitowoc in Italy, and Vincenzo Bassi, owner of CEER Res Omnia.
“This operation fully reflects CEER Res Omnia’s philosophy, which approaches every project with a focus on innovation, safety, and professionalism,” Vincenzo said. “Owning and managing machines of this scale allows the company to maintain complete control over every operational phase—from planning to commissioning—offering our clients excellent service for any lifting requirement.”
Once in operation, the Potain MDT 809 will be used to lift and position metal frameworks, reinforcement components and structural materials. These lifts are essential to the consolidation and seismic strengthening of the hospital complex.
Assembly works began in mid-September and were coordinated by Imola Gru, another long-standing Potain partner. Despite the complexity of the job, the installation was completed in around four working days.
The site presented significant logistical challenges, including a very restricted workspace. To manage this, trucks were scheduled and organised in sequence, allowing progressive unloading and assembly of crane components. This approach helped maintain both efficiency and safety throughout the operation.
Luca Salomoni, team leader of the assembly crew, said, “This was a demanding yet highly rewarding assignment. Installing a crane of this magnitude on a lattice structure at rooftop level is an uncommon undertaking. The logistical constraints, limited space, and need for absolute precision presented significant challenges. The collaboration among all parties was exceptional, and witnessing the crane completed and rising above the skyline was a gratifying culmination of our efforts.”