The first unit of Potain’s largest topless crane has gone to BACHL Group in Germany, where its 40 t capacity and 80 m jib are being used to streamline precast concrete yard operations.
Potain has expanded the upper end of its topless tower crane range with the launch of the MDT 1609, a 40 t capacity model designed for heavy-duty lifting on large construction, industrial and materials-handling sites. The first unit has already entered service in Bavaria, Germany, at the headquarters of Karl Bachl Betonwerke, part of the BACHL Group.
With an 80 m jib and the ability to lift 14.1 t at the jib end, the MDT 1609 gives Potain a new heavyweight option for contractors and materials producers working with large precast elements, structural components and other demanding loads.
At Karl Bachl Betonwerke, the crane has been erected at a height of 40.2 m and is being used in the company’s storage yard. Its 80 m reach allows the business to cover a wider working area, improve use of yard space and support loading and pre-loading operations for outgoing shipments. The crane operates across two daily shifts, handling a range of loads including precast concrete segments weighing up to 40 t.
Beyond raw lifting capacity, the MDT 1609 brings several technologies aimed at improving energy efficiency, uptime and ease of operation. The crane includes an integrated energy storage system that captures kinetic energy during load lowering and recycles it. For a high-cycle yard application, that capability can help reduce overall energy consumption while supporting Karl Bachl Betonwerke’s sustainability objectives.
The model is also equipped with Potain’s Crane Control System, which supports controlled load handling and simplifies commissioning. According to Potain, crane operations can be set in 15 minutes after installation, reducing setup time and helping operators get the machine ready for work more quickly.
Karl Bachl Betonwerke is also using Potain CONNECT on the MDT 1609. The onboard telematics system enables remote diagnostics and maintenance support, giving fleet and service teams better visibility of crane condition and helping improve uptime. For contractors and industrial users, that type of connected support is becoming an increasingly important part of total cost of ownership, particularly on equipment expected to work long shifts in production environments.
One of the more technically complex parts of the project was the installation. The MDT 1609 was mounted on the existing circular mast of the previous tower crane at the site, rather than on a completely new mast structure. To make that possible, long-standing Potain dealer Moser Baumaschinen worked with Manitowoc’s Lift Solutions team to develop a custom adapter connecting the MDT 1609 upperworks to the existing mast.
The adapter has a diameter of 3.2 m, stands 1.55 m tall and weighs 7.5 t. Its role was central to the project, allowing the customer to upgrade crane performance while making use of existing site infrastructure.
“Each project for Lift Solutions is unique because we are tailoring engineered solutions specifically to the project. For the MDT 1609, we required all our engineering know-how and close cooperation with Moser Baumaschinen, with whom we’ve worked for over 30 years as a Potain dealer. The result was a huge success. The Potain MDT 1609 is the first in an exciting new line of Maxi-MDT cranes, high-performance topless cranes with the latest technology to tackle some of the most challenging applications,”
Said Bernard Ecabert, Lift Solutions manager for tower cranes at Manitowoc.
The first delivery also places the new crane in a demanding real-world application from the start. Karl Bachl Betonwerke is part of BACHL Group, a major European construction and building materials business with 2,600 employees across production and sales sites in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania and Croatia. Founded in 1926, the group produces building materials and operates in construction segments ranging from industrial and commercial projects to roadbuilding.
For Potain, the MDT 1609 signals a move into a heavier class of topless crane applications. For customers, its early deployment in Germany shows how higher lifting capacity, long reach, energy recovery and engineered installation support can come together in one machine, especially where existing site infrastructure must be adapted rather than replaced.
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