UFL recalls the safety campaign initiated by the Manitowoc Group on its MDT 98 and MDT109 tower cranes. Indeed, it has noted several incidents on the cab access platforms of tower cranes manufactured between 2005 and 2019. Manitowoc reiterates the importance of meticulous checks on tower cranes, which are not only regulated but also strongly recommended by the manufacturer itself. Despite these guidelines, recurring shortcomings in cab maintenance have been noted.
In France, 126 units are listed as potentially at risk, including 90 MDT 98 models and 36 MDT 109 models, with a presence of seven units in overseas territories such as the West Indies, French Guiana and Reunion. MDT 98 units produced from 2006 to 2015, the year manufacturing ceased, are affected. From January 2016, the MDT 98 model was replaced by the MDT 109. Since June 2019, improvements have been made in the factory to strengthen fasteners and prevent maintenance-related failures. In February 2019, Potain informed owners of the procedure to follow via service bulletin T19 226, followed in April by parts bulletin TP19_02, distributed via the Manitowoc/Potain network. Owners were invited to carry out an inspection of the cab floors, ensuring that structural components were sound and corrosion-free. In the event of a defect being detected, a reinforcement kit was offered for installation. Following an accident in Brest in the summer of 2023, a new action plan was put in place by the manufacturer. An information meeting was organized in collaboration with INRS to discuss the condition of cabin floors, attended by user representatives, trade unions and various prevention organizations. Potain has undertaken to contact all identified owners, although the follow-up of resold units remains complex.
Potain has communicated the procedures for checking the cab, and advises contacting the local distributor for further details. If significant corrosion is detected, rendering the cab unsafe, access to it must be restricted until a reinforcement kit has been installed.
In the meantime, the crane can still be operated from the ground using the radio remote control.
" It is imperative for all owners of this type of crane to implement all recommended actions", reminds the manufacturer. As of January 2024, 27 cranes have been fitted with these reinforcement kits. There are still 99 to go!
