One of the world’s most innovative consumer electronics companies is building a new flagship location in Chicago, and a Potain MR 608 tower crane is at the center of the action. The job site, which sits in close proximity to the Chicago River, called for a crane that could handle the required capacities while operating within the restricted space available on the job.
Central Contractors Service, a division of the ALL Family of Companies, provided the 35.3 USt capacity luffing jib crane to the project. Paul Urbanski, sales manager for the Alsip, Illinois-based company, said that the MR 608 was the ideal lifting solution for the cramped work environment.
“The restrictions on this job site were challenging from the start,” he said. “Since we’re working so close to the river, the entire area surrounding the site is vaulted, which required careful planning of the assembly and delivery of the crane. The MR 608 performed seamlessly once it was erected, and the crane’s frequency driven hoist—with LVF technology—helped us to cut down on maintenance and keep to our schedule.”
The MR 608 has been working along the north bank of the Chicago River since September of 2016 with 131 ft of jib, hovering a mere 32 ft above the ground. The crane was first used to lift 34 USt steel beams to a height of 16 ft. Now in its final month on the job, the MR 608 is helping contractors to install roof segments, which are constructed of a lightweight material traditionally used in the hulls of yachts. The $27 million retail store will cover some 20,000 ft2 and is scheduled to open to the public in October 2017.
