Potain and Grove cranes on Italian coast

In Positano, on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, Piano di Sorrento-based real estate developer Gemar has deployed a Potain MDT 189 top slewing tower crane to construct a multi-story parking lot.

The site is parallel to a cliff and has limited space and access (Photo: Manitowoc)

The crane was erected by a Grove GMK4100L-1 all-terrain crane with a 60 metre main boom. The site is parallel to a cliff and has limited space and access.

The company said it chose the 8 tonne capacity Potain MDT 189 tower crane for its ability to cover the 60 metre height difference between the top and bottom of the site.

The four-axle 100 tonne capacity Grove GMK4100L-1 all-terrain crane ensured the tower crane assembly took place safely and efficiently.

Its narrow width, 2.55 metres, enabled it to get to site on the small roads.

The MDT 189 was configured on site with an 80 metre height under hook and 45 metre jib length (Photo: Manitowoc)

Once arrived, the crane assembled the parts of the tower crane on the ground and mounted it to a height of 40 metres.

A telescopic cage on the tower crane then enabled the team to reach a height of 70 metres.

Difficult conditions

The Amalfi Coast is known all over the world for its beautiful views but the steep slopes and winding roads do not lend themselves for transport and access for building and infrastructure projects.

The construction of the 160 space multi-story parking lot is surrounded by a rockface and houses.

The crane is equipped with the Manitowoc CCS crane control system (Photo: Manitowoc)

The parking lot’s lift intends to connect the road below to the one above where the town’s cemetery is located. Currently, it can only be accessed by stairs.

Cranes in demolition

The project necessitated the demolition of part of the cliff with dynamite and the subsequent excavation inside it of a 35 metre tunnel to access the elevator shaft.

With the excavations now complete, a crane has been commissioned to lift the structural elements into place and construct the elevator shaft. The construction is due for completion in 2023.

The Grove GMK4100L-1 all-terrain crane ensured the tower crane assembly took place safely (Photo: Manitowoc)

“For this specific project, the terrain and the fact that the site was on two levels led us to choose the Potain MDT 189,” explained architect Fabrizio Gargiulo from Gemar.

“The work would not have been possible without a crane that could cover the difference in height (60 metres) between the two levels.”

The MDT 189 was configured on site with an 80 metre height under hook and 45 metre jib length.

The crane was equipped with two trolleys and the Top Site Zone Control System.

It is also equipped with the Manitowoc CCS crane control system, which the company says can increase accuracy and display diagnostics.

Gemar will deploy this crane on future projects (Photo: Manitowoc)

“The remote monitoring and diagnostics is a very useful feature for managing assistance, especially on small sites such as that in Positano,” said Luigi Russo, general manager of crane dealer Edilcom Gru.

“It is essential to check any malfunctions remotely and to promptly send the technicians to the construction site with the spare parts needed to fix the problem.”

“Our customer Gemar can constantly monitor all crane movements and structural stresses in real time.”

Future projects

Gemar will deploy this crane on future projects. 

“We decided to buy the MDT 189 because we plan to also use it on other jobs. The entire Amalfi Coast is built in terraces, so we believe this could be a pilot project for neighbouring towns, which are watching with attention and interest at what we are doing here,” Gargiulo concluded.