MARCH 2025 Ӏ NEWS
NEW SELF-ERECTOR FROM BKL BAUKRAN LOGISTIK
German crane rental, sales and service specialist BKL Baukran Logistik has launched a new self-erecting crane as part of its BKL System Cattaneo range – a venture in collaboration with Italian crane manufacturer Luigi Cattaneo. BKL has been working with Luigi Cattaneo since 1994, at first renting the cranes, and now distributing them exclusively in Germany and Austria under the BKL System Cattaneo brand. The new self-erector, the CM 301, is aimed squarely at the roofing and carpentry sector. It has a variable 20.7 metre hook height and a 30 metre radius.
The bottom-slewing crane is easy to
handle, says BKL, and has a maximum load capacity of 2.5 tonnes. It can carry 600 kg at the tip of the 30 metre boom. The crane’s integral chassis comes with a 25 km/h axle, although an 80 km/h axle can be specified.
The CM 301 also has a combined drawbar with king pin: this, BKL explains, allows it to be transported as a trailer crane or as a semi-trailer. For projects without a site power
supply, the crane can be operated with 230 V.
The CM 301 is now available to rent or purchase from BKL.
THREE POTAIN TOWER CRANES ON CENTRAL LONDON PRESTIGE PROJECT
UK contractor Sir Robert McAlpine is using three Potain tower cranes on the 2 Finsbury Avenue (2FA) development in the heart of London’s financial district. This 170 m dual high-rise mixed-use building is scheduled for completion in 2027 and offers multiple unique challenges, including extreme working heights and limited access in the densely populated area. Manitowoc says its Lift Solutions
Team, which provides custom design and lift planning services to customers, worked closely with Sir Robert McAlpine during the planning of the project and throughout the cranes’ commissioning to design specialised crane bases and anchorage solutions for safety and efficiency.
"Our planning began in 2021, owing to the complexity of this development. The design included specialised crane bases and non-standard anchorage solutions and the developer was confident it would deliver the best result,” said Steve Wright, commercial
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plant manager at Sir Robert McAlpine. “We selected Potain luffing-jib tower cranes for their strong lifting capacities and fast operation, which are crucial for a project of this scale. “Our team ran several scenario plans to find the right combination for handling heavy loads in limited space. Their out-of-service radii also provided the flexibility needed in this tight setting.” The three Potain tower cranes on the
project comprise one MR 418 and two MR 225 A models. To fit them within the footprint of the 2FA project, the MR 418 was installed on an elevated platform, and the other two were positioned on the 13th and 15th floors. The lattice steel platform supporting the MR 418 was mounted on vertical legs, which connect directly to the building’s piles, ensuring efficient load transfer. This whole installation phase required meticulous planning and specific connection points to attach the cranes to the building as construction advances.
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