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CRANES in Action
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CRANES in Action
A Link-Belt 298 Series 2 lattice crawler works alongside 248 HSL and 228 HSL cranes at the Sunset Amphitheater development in McKinney, Texas.
Crawlers Handle Concrete and Steel in Texas
Across two Texas jobsites, Big B Crane put its Link-Belt lattice crawler fleet to work on very different lifting tasks, from placing rebar and forms at a new parking garage to setting long steel bridge girders across a major interstate.
At the Sunset Amphitheater development in McKinney, three crawlers— a 298 Series 2, 248 HSL, and 228 HSL— supported construction of a parking garage for the 46-acre entertainment complex. The cranes lifted and placed rebar and forms during work that included 69 elevated slab pours and 45,000 cubic yards of concrete.
The scale of the operation required a substantial amount of lifting work. The project involved 200 workers and 32 weeks of labor from the first pick through the final pick.
Big B Division Manager Kenneth Green said the company had selected Link-Belt lattice crawlers for their mobility and transport characteristics, as well as their lifting capabilities.
“ The lattice boom Link-Belt crawlers are easy to move and efficient to transport,” Green said.
The company also used its larger lattice crawlers on a highway bridge project, where a 300-ton 348 Series 2 worked with a 250-ton 298 Series 2 to place steel girders.
The 348 Series 2 set individual 180-foot girders weighing 75,000 pounds. It also worked in tandem with the 298 Series 2 to lift two girders together, with a combined weight of 145,000 pounds and a length of 180 feet.
“ With this job demanding a reliable crane to set the steel girders over a major interstate, we felt confident in these two Link-Belts to get the job done,” Green said.“ Operation went smoothly while these cranes worked together.”
Davis Crane Group Adds Tadano AC 7.450-1
Davis Crane Group has purchased its first Tadano AC 7.450-1, a 500-ton, seven-axle all-terrain crane that will initially be used on a data center project in West Texas.
The crane will be based at Davis Crane Group’ s Goins Crane Service office in Abilene. Davis Crane Group has served contractors and businesses in Texas for more than 60 years and operates divisions throughout the state.
The AC 7.450-1 features a 262.5-foot main boom and a total length of 55.9 feet. Its maximum outrigger base is 27.8 feet. The crane also includes Tadano’ s IC-1 control system, Sideways Superlift System( SSL), and Surround View.
Dennis Davis, president and CEO of Davis Crane Group, said the company plans to use the crane as part of its operations in West Texas.
Tadano America Regional Business Manager Todd Elkins said the AC 7.450-1 adds lifting capacity and reach to Davis Crane Group’ s fleet.
According to the release, the AC 7.450-1 is suited for high-reach assemblies, tower crane erection, and heavy industrial lifts. Davis Crane Group said the crane will also be suited for work involving wind turbines, bridges, and other infrastructure.
Wes Dowd, COO of Davis Crane Group, said the crane’ s lifting capacity, reach, and technology will support heavier projects.
The company said the new crane will contribute to its operations in Texas as Davis Crane Group and Tadano continue their partnership.
A Link-Belt lattice crawler positions steel as part of a highway bridge project requiring individual and tandem girder lifts.
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October 2026 • www. cranehotline. com