UK crane rental company, Radius Group, has deployed the world’s first Potain MR 229 luffing jib tower crane in London, UK.
The crane hire company was contracted by housing association L&Q Group to construct a significant housing project on the Greenwich Peninsula that will see the development of 476 new homes. Already selecting four MR 225 A cranes for the project, Radius Group opted to substitute in the world’s first MR 229 tower crane as soon as it became available to handle increasing efficiency pressures, with Operations Director, Teddy Holt, stating “innovation has always been critical” to the UK company, and the Potain MR 229 fit the bill perfectly.
“Being the first lifting provider in the world to erect an MR 229 on a live construction site,” he said, “is another great example of having a strong focus on continuous improvement, making Radius a lifting industry leader.”
The Potain MR 229 luffing jib tower crane possesses a maximum lifting capacity of 14 tonnes, jib lengths of 30m-to-55m, and holds the ability to lift 2.7 tonnes at its maximum lifting radius. Additionally, the crane thrives on congested jobsites, providing a short out of service radius of 10m-12m, depending on jib length, while also giving the option for two brand new, high-performance hoist winches: the 75HPL35 and the 110HPL35.
The key point of difference with the MR 229, however, is that it is the first Potain luffing jib crane to feature Manitowoc’s Crane Control System (CCS). According to Manitowoc, it takes “just 15 minutes” to configure the machine, calibrate the sensors for crane movement, and set the trolley limit switch and jib length. The MR 229 is also the first to include the new Potain ‘Connect’ telematics system that “streamlines daily tasks, facilitates efficient fleet management, and optimises service and maintenance”, according to the manufacturer.
For the Greenwich project, Radius Group has configured its first MR 229 with a 50m jib and 37.5m height under the hook, utilising a 75HLP35 winch. Additionally, the UK-based crane rental company is responsible for managing the cranes throughout the entire project lifecycle, including logistics, erection, operation, and dismantling.
A key advantage of the cranes is that they will be able to erect and dismantle each other, saving money on mobile cranes. The machines are set to remain in operation until Q4 2025, with the project set for completion in 2027.
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