CraneFest 2024
Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, the Panama Canal, Hurricane Katrina recovery and even the construction and expansion of McMurdo Station in Antarctica.
Touring the Link-Belt Plant
Next, we made our way to Link-Belt’ s headquarters for a tour of the production plant. It was fascinating to see the various stages and processes involved in producing a Link-Belt crane.
We started in the prototype building, where we got a sneak peek at a new crane slated for release at ConExpo 2026. From there, we moved through different phases of crane production, which includes fabrication, welding, machining, assembly and painting— a process that takes about 30 to 45 days from start to finish.
By keeping nearly every part of the production process in-house, Link-Belt can tightly manage quality and maintain control over critical components. They mentioned one of the steps most recently brought in-house, the production of formed booms. Previously sourced from Europe, Link-Belt now brings in specialized steel and oversees the process themselves. This includes laser-cutting steel plates and marrying the upper and lower shells of the boom— a complicated process that demands a high level of precision, but ultimately benefits its customers.
We also toured the company’ s warehouse, which holds over 3 million parts. Link-Belt takes pride in being able to provide parts for any of their cranes, even models that were discontinued years ago. Their customer service team works out of offices connected directly to the warehouse, ensuring quick and efficient responses to customer requests.
One aspect of the tour that stood out was how interconnected the whole facility is. Engineering works closely with production, and service teams are in constant communication with the warehouse. It’ s an impressive operation where collaboration and efficiency seem to be at the core of everything they do.
Live Show and Product Demos
After learning about the production process, it was time to see the cranes in action. The live show featured Link-Belt’ s full catalog, all set to the backdrop of country music and an American flag waving proudly overhead. Here are some of the highlights:
218 | V & 300 | AT
Two standout cranes on display were the 218 | V lattice crawler crane and the 300 | AT all-terrain crane, both introduced at ConExpo 2023.
The 218 | V lattice crawler crane features a new auxiliary power unit, a smaller power unit designed to keep the operator cool, comfortable and productive, even when the main engine is off. This feature is particularly valuable for operators working in areas with strict emission regulations, as it reduces engine hours and emissions while maintaining a comfortable working environment.
The 300 | AT is a five-axle all-terrain crane, engineered with transportability in mind. Meeting all North American transportation requirements, its design makes it easier to move between jobsites, offering both power and flexibility for heavy lifting tasks.
65 | RT
The 65 | RT is the newest addition to Link- Belt’ s rough-terrain crane lineup, improving on its ultra-reliable predecessor, the RTC- 8065 Series II. This 65-ton crane brings a new level of control, reliability and performance, featuring a four-section, 115-foot full-power boom and a maximum tip height of 211 feet with extensions.
Key upgrades include a new hydraulic boom extend system that improves service life, a durable steel flat deck with six points of access and anti-skid paint replacing traditional sand strips for enhanced safety.
120 | HTLB
Sharing the same platform as the 120 | HT, the 120 | HTLB offers superior ride quality, counterweight sensing and disk brakes. However, the key upgrade in the HTLB model is its impressive long boom, extending up to 197 feet, making it a standout for jobs requiring greater reach and lifting capacity.
225 | AT
Finally, Link-Belt unveiled the brandnew 225 | AT at CraneFest 2024, and the introduction couldn’ t have been more fitting— set to Rocky music with red, white and blue powder filling the air. This all-terrain crane, designed, built and tested in Lexington, Kentucky, features a six-section formed boom with SmartFly and hydraulic extensions, allowing a maximum tip height of 334 feet. Its modular design optimizes roadability, with a maximum counterweight of 118,000 pounds, making it an efficient and powerful addition to Link-Belt’ s lineup.
The live show kicked off with a lineup of Link-Belt lattice crawler cranes raising their booms.
Final Thoughts From My First CraneFest
This was my first CraneFest, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It was a pleasure meeting with dealers and the Link-Belt staff, who were incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable. I learned so much about crane technology and the production process, and it was impressive to see the full product line, including the new cranes, up close. I’ m already looking forward to what’ s next from Link-Belt!
Jameson Weiss is a digital marketing specialist at Catalyst Communications Network, where he develops and implements social media and SEO strategies for Catalyst and its portfolio of publications. Jameson is based in Atlanta.
www. cranehotline. com • November 2024 CRANE HOT LINE ® 33