Potain tower cranes help transform Madison’s downtown skyline under an airport flight path

• Two topless tower cranes, a Potain MDT 489 M25 and MDT 219 J10, are working on a 14-story mixed-use development just a few blocks from the state capitol.
• Reynolds Rigging and Crane supplied the topless cranes to construction company Findorff because they could fit in the tight urban space and avoid strict airport flight path regulations.

Two Potain cranes are helping Findorff build a 14-story high-rise at 109 E Wilson in Madison, Wisconsin. The development will feature 244 residential units, a seven-restaurant food hall with patio lake-front seating, a rooftop pool terrace, a Sky Lounge, a high-end chop house, a three-story parking garage, and more. Additionally, it will include a green roof, further changing Madison’s evolving skyline. Designed to meet LEED Silver standards, the project prioritizes sustainability and efficiency.

Reynolds Rigging and Crane Service, Inc. (Reynolds), one of Findorff’s specialty contractor partners on this project, chose the cranes for their space efficiency in the air. With a zero-lot footprint, a two-way road, and railroad tracks at the rear of the site, the cranes needed to conform to the tight lifting quarters. Critically, the cranes needed to be erected high enough to lift to the structure’s roof, but stay below the restricted flight path, given the proximity to the Wisconsin State Capitol and nearby airport.

“I don’t think this project would be possible without the topless design of the Potain cranes,” said Nathanael Reynolds, Executive Vice President, at Reynolds. “There was a very narrow set of parameters — both on the ground and in the air — that the cranes needed to fit within to complete the lifting work. We were able to help Findorff successfully plan the project with the only tools that could get the job done.”

A Potain MDT 489 M25 is set up to its maximum freestanding height of 232 ft with a 197 ft jib. An MDT 219 J10, erected with a smaller K600 to K400 tower, was chosen for its efficient freestanding height compatibility with the MDT 489. The MDT 489 M25 was erected using a large mobile crane, while the MDT 219 J10 was assembled piece-by-piece by the MDT 489 M25 — which will also disassemble it when the project is completed, minimizing costs.

Both cranes have an automatic 2-part to 4-part trolley system, enabling operators to switch line parts from the cab, increasing jobsite flexibility and reducing downtime. The taller crane on the job, the MDT 489 M25, has a 27.6 USt maximum capacity and a 262-ft jib. The shorter crane, the MDT 219 J10, has an 11 USt maximum capacity and a 213-ft jib. On this jobsite, the MDT 489 M25 is configured with 197 ft of jib offering an 8.5 USt capacity at the tip, and the MDT 219 J10 has a 164-ft jib, providing 4 USt at the tip.  

“Driving green initiatives, the crane’s power control system technology enables the most effective and efficient use of job site electrical power. Lighter, ergonomically designed crane components lead to more efficient transportation, reducing the number of trucks needed and saving A&D time while reducing carbon emissions. The bottom line is that these cranes were a better choice for the environment and a strong and sustainable future,” Reynolds said.

CONTACT

Ashley Soverns 
Sr. Manager, Marketing
Manitowoc
T +1 717 593 5167
ashley.soverns@manitowoc.com