The Potain MCi 48 C, newly launched by Manitowoc and showcased at bC India, is aimed squarely at mid-level construction jobs.

The Potain MCi 48 C from the Manitowoc factory in Pune made its debut at the bC India trade fair, held recently in Mumbai. Maximum capacity for the MCi 48 C is 2.5 T while it will lift one tonne out to its maximum jib end of 36 m. Freestanding working height for the crane can be up to 34.7 m, but it can climb much higher with its telescoping cage. The mast is 1.2 m by 1.2 m. Hoisting power comes from a 15 PC 13-5 which can raise 2.5 t at up to 21 m/min or 1.3 t at up to 42 m/min.

"There is still a busy programme of development scheduled for India, particularly in its second- and third-tier cities. Our new Potain MCi 48 C is designed for multi-story buildings of between 8 and 15 stories or developments spread over wide areas. Many of these jobs still rely on manpower for material handling, but the MCi 48 C offers a solution that will dramatically accelerate construction time and improve overall efficiency on site," said Raymond Tang, Regional Product Manager for tower cranes. According to him, anticipated work levels in India should make the new Potain popular.

Ashwani Matoo, National Sales Manager for tower cranes in India, Manitowoc said the MCi 48 C is a perfect solution for customer needs. "We're very excited to introduce the MCi 48 C at bC India, because it's a great example of a product that addresses the challenges customers face," he said. "Customers prefer to buy locally-built cranes but they also want the reassurance of a trusted brand. In the case of the MCi 48 C, we're offering a crane which speeds up work and the response so far has been extremely positive." At present, there is no Potain crane serving the target market for the MCi 48 C, so Manitowoc expects it to be a huge success as contractors continue to work to tight deadlines.

Light and Powerful

Atlas Copco launches the lightest, fully vibro-reduced handheld hydraulic pick hammer, the LH 8E.

Atlas Copco introduced at Bauma 2013, the lightest fully vibro-reduced handheld hydraulic pick hammer to the market: the LH 8E. Weighing 9.5 kg, the breaker is ideally suited for horizontal work in brick and concrete work as well as building renovation. The new vibro-reduced housing and handle are the key to a significant decrease of vibrations. The newly designed vibro-reduced housing, where the hammer mechanism floats in the canopy, dampens vibrations throughout the whole hammer body. This significantly decreases the vibrations transmitted to the operator's hands and arms.

Atlas Copco's HAPSTM, Hand and Arm Protection System, helps to reduce the operator's exposure to vibrations. The new design enables a lower vibration exposure level for the operator to be achieved at a given working time. As operator comfort is a number one priority, the new models also offer an efficient noise reduction system.

LH 8E also features a large vibro-reduced D-handle for superior handling: a generously dimensioned D-handle with enough room for a gloved hand. The front handle provides full control and support when starting a cut. The handle can be indexed 360o or turned horizontally, or even removed altogether and the other gripping surfaces of the machine can be used instead.

Using the multiple gripping surface, the operator has the possibility of choosing an optimum working position and with noticeably better dampening of the vibrations, in both hands, compared with other standard hammers without vibro-reduction in this weight class.

The LH 8E will run on standard hydraulic system providing 20 lpm flow and is designed to run optimum on any Atlas Copco power pack and will become a new important tool member in the company's complete line of handheld hydraulic tools. Equipped with thin and flexible long hydraulic tail hoses and quick release flat face couplers, it can easily be connected and operated by any standard power pack or hydraulic flow with controlled outlet complying with the EHTMA cat 'C' standards.