I have a question, I'm not sure that you are allowed to answer, but still, I try !
I have to import in PaperVision3D (flex 3D rendering engine) some 3D meshes exported from 3DsMax. This operation works perfectly only when they are exported after beeing "transformed" by Polygon Cruncher.
The export format is the collada, a xml format, so by searching in the file exported I have noticed that the difference between a file not changed by Polygon Cruncher and one changed, is in the tag where it's describe how the model and the texture have to be apply. I'm not sure of that, but it seems to change from dynamic (not changed) and static (changed). (technically, in the tag <library_visual_scenes>, the "sub tag" change from <instance_controller> to <instance_geometry>)
So maybe, as my question does not concern the main advantage of Polygon Cruncher, reduce the number of polygon, I have a chance to have a answer

What Polygon Cruncher modify in 3dsMax in the spatial representation of the model ?
If you can answer it will be very helpful for me, and if you definitely cannot, I apologize for the question !
Martin