02.09.2025

UK's first Potain MDT 159

UK rental company Ladybird Crane Hire has erected the first six tonne Potain MDT 159 tower crane in the UK for construction of a care home in Bridlington, East Yorkshire.

The MDT 159 offers six tonne maximum capacity at 22 metres with full 60 metre jib, extending to 24 metres with P+ system activated. The jib nose capacity is 1.5 tonnes increasing to 1.65 with P+ engaged. The crane can be configured with jibs from 30 to 60 metres in five metre sections. The crane was erected using a 130 tonner from the Emsley Crane Hire fleet on a 4.5 metre cruciform base with 24 metre 1.6 metre tower sections.

New features introduced at Bauma include the DWP trolley system enabling larger lifts at jib nose in four fall reeving, P+ enhanced load curves when activated, and new jib packaging allowing crane top to be transported in three articulated loads. The crane can be built on the ground or in the air depending on ground area constraints.

The crane was originally ordered by Kevin Guy Tower Cranes when first released by Potain at Bauma, but was not erected on its intended project due to time constraints and has now joined the Ladybird fleet.

Ladybird cranes dates back to 1977, although the group was set up in 2003. Based in Redditch its owned by the Bird family, led by Robert Bird. In 2018 it acquired Whitney Engineering, the UK dealer for Secatol lifting equipment, it offers both Potain self-erectors and mobile self-propelled models from Montarent.