A Potain MCT 385 topless tower crane has successfully completed its role in building the record-breaking Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in Guizhou, southwestern China. Towering 625 meters above the canyon floor, the bridge is more than twice the height of France’s Millau Viaduct and will cut travel time between Liuzhi and Anlong from three hours to just 90 minutes.
Deployed by Guizhou ShengYongSheng in late 2023, the MCT 385 was configured with a full 75-meter jib and served as the core lifting solution for main contractors Guizhou Bridge Construction Group. The crane handled loads of up to 20 tonnes during critical phases of construction, including pylon assembly and steel truss girder installation across the bridge’s 1,420-meter main span.
Working alongside the world’s longest-span cable crane, the MCT 385 tackled the region’s steep cliffs and challenging terrain, delivering the strength, stability, and precision needed in extreme conditions. Its performance helped accelerate construction while reaching otherwise inaccessible areas.
“This canyon was once considered a construction no-go zone,” said Ling Qian, marketing manager at Manitowoc China. “The MCT 385 reaffirms Potain’s position as a global leader in crane technology, turning previously impossible projects into reality.”
Previously used on major developments such as the Guiyang Twin Towers and Xifeng Industrial Plant Project, ShengYongSheng’s MCT 385 continues to demonstrate its value in some of China’s most ambitious infrastructure efforts.
