Manitowoc has announced the release of two new Potain luffing jib tower cranes with the launch of the MR 309 and MR 329.
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Following the successful introduction of the MR 229 at bauma 2022, these models follow in the same vein and are equipped with the Potain Crane Control System and Potain Connect telematics. According to Vice President of marketing and development at Manitowoc, Thibaut Le Besnerais, the company expects these new generation luffing jib tower cranes to thrive out on site in line with the MR 229.
“We’ve received excellent feedback since the debut of the MR 229, particularly for its ease of erection, minimised out-of-service radius, and the integration of CCS,” he said. “With these achievements in mind, we have high expectations for the MR 309 and MR 329 as they round out this innovative new generation of Potain luffing jib cranes.”
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Based off customer feedback asking for quicker and simpler crane assembly, the jib on the MR 229, MR 309, and MR 329 can be mounted horizontally, section by section, while the reduced wind vane spans make installation on tight job sites easier.
Accessible platforms and steps promote secure and efficient worker movement, and the counter-jib ballast is installed at working height. The positioning of the ballast is made easier thanks to slinging rings and a self-centring system. A redesigned luffing mechanism further streamlines assembly, while an integrated jib-end basket further promotes more secure installation, inspection, and maintenance. Finally, the Potain CCS decreases commissioning time, helping the cranes to get to work faster.
Additionally, according to Manitowoc, customers also requested a greater height under pivot and more powerful load charts that the MR 229, MR 309, and MR 329 all deliver. The MR 309 and MR 329 have been introduced with maximum capacity variants of 16 tonnes or 25 tonnes.
Despite sharing a common 60m jib and a 3.4-tonne capacity at the tip, the luffing jib tower cranes’ distinct pivot and mast configurations result in differing heights under pivot and load curves.
The MR 309, with its two-metre pivot and mast configuration, achieves a height under pivot of 49.2m, reaching a maximum capacity of 4.3 tonnes at 55m. In contrast, the MR 329, featuring a 2.45m pivot and mast configuration, attains a height under pivot of 55.2m, with a maximum capacity of 4.7 tonnes at 55m.
In addition, the new cranes address the need for a strongly reduced out-of-service radius (9.5m to 12m) and decreased anchorage frame requirements, delivering improved efficiency and productivity on high-rise and congested construction sites where oversailing is not permitted.