02.02.2007

New telescopic self erector from Potain

Potain is set to add to the innovation quotient of the Manitowoc group stand at Bauma with the launch of a new telescopic self erecting tower crane.

The new model designated the Igo T70. Potain says that it is merely the first in new range self erectors featuring a telescopic tower.
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The Potain Igo T70 self erecting tower crane

The Igo T 70 has an integral two-section telescopic tower which can be further extended with six metre auxiliary sections allowing it to increase its height from 20 metres to 32 metres in increments of three or six metres. The jib can be raised up to 30 degrees for a maximum hook height of 45 metres at up to 34 metres radius.

Tower telescoping is achieved by rope with a dual barrel hoist reeved in opposing directions so that the jibs luffing cables is extended as the telescope cable is retracted to extend the tower, thus keeping the jib horizontal. The tower can be pinned in place in three metre increments.

The crane has a maximum capacity of four tonnes and lifts 1,300kgs at its maximum radius of 40 metres. It can be loaded with up to 16 of the identical 2,200kgs counterweight slabs with all 33,000 kgs required for the maximum radius or 35,200kgs needed when the crane is equipped with the optional top cab.

The T 70 also features an LVF Optima winch which automatically adapts and optimises hoist speed for the load on the hook, offering faster cycle times. Erection costs are also claimed to be lower with the Igo T 70 as it can be transported on a single low-loader, and install its own counterweight with a tower mounted swinging gantry jib.

A range of transport options are available, from a four wheel trolley to a two axle bogie and fifth wheel for towing behind an articulated tractor unit at up to 80kph, to a road going four wheel 25kph trailer kit. Once on site the crane has a footprint of just 4.5 x 4.5 metres.




Vertikal Comment

The Manitowoc group is hoping to make a major statement at Bauma concerning its ability to innovate. It is hard to imagine that it will not succeed, with its Grove GTK1100 and this new telescopic IGO. The message will also be supported by its GMK4100L the four axle telescopic mobile with 60 metres of main boom.

While Manitowoc’s competitors are likely to have some stunning new product launches, such as Liebherr’s 1200 tonne telescopic and Tadano-Faun’s new 360 tonner, nothing is likely to have quite as much ‘wow-factor’ as the big Grove GTK tower mobile. And tower crane enthusiasts can’t but be impressed with the combination of innovative ideas in the new T70 self erector.

The big question though is how much engineering time such projects have consumed, most particularly the GTK, which has been an inter-group effort calling on engineering skills and expertise from Potain, Grove and Manitowoc. No matter how successful the GTK ultimately is, it will never be a mainstream volume product.

Has Manitowoc sacrificed development of high volume ‘bread and butter’ product development for eye popping radical products? Only time will tell of course, but if the number of new products being launched at Bauma is anything to go by the answer would appear to be No it hasn’t. If that proves to be so it will be quite an achievement.