Three Potain tower cranes—one MR 418 and two MR 225 A models—are playing a key role in the 2FA project. To fit within the site’s constraints, the MR 418 was installed on an elevated platform, while the MR 225 A cranes were positioned on the 13th and 15th floors. The MR 418’s steel platform is mounted on vertical legs connected directly to the building’s piles for optimal load transfer.
“This is one of the most complex projects our team has worked on, but developing the solution was a great engineering achievement,” said Jako Van der Walt, lead design engineer at Sir Robert McAlpine. The company collaborated with Manitowoc Lift Solutions to ensure secure crane bases and attachment points.
The MR 418 features Potain’s Cab-IN personnel elevator, a first for the company, providing essential access for operators in the 150 m tall development. The cranes, which arrived in August 2024, will remain on-site until mid-2025, lifting heavy components, including steel structures and MEP elements.
The 24 t capacity MR 418 operates with a 50 m jib, while the 14 t capacity MR 225 A cranes work with 45 m and 50 m jibs. Sir Robert McAlpine, a UK contractor since 1869, is known for its expertise in delivering complex construction projects across the country.
