Link-Belt unveils new RT and crawler

Link-Belt Construction Equipment unveiled two new cranes, a rough terrain and crawler, as well as upgrades to an existing crawler, at a plant tour and luncheon for attendees of the SC&RA Crane & Rigging Workshop on Friday, September 21 in Lexington, Kentucky USA.

Introduced at an entertaining product presentation was the all new 80 US ton (72.5 metric ton) RTC-8080 Series II, which replaces the RTC-8075. Features on the new RTC-8080 Series II include platform guardrails, a three-piece bi-fold fly, and improved capacity.

Also shown was the new 200 ton (181 metric ton) 248 HSL, which, the company says, is the next generation of the successful 248 Hylab 5 series introduced more than 20 years ago. The 248 HSL joins the 238 HSL and the newly upgraded 298 HSL as the strongest trio of cranes in the 150 to 250 ton market, Link-Belt said.

“Perfect for the general contractor, the 248 will prove its value in steel erection, bridge work, pile driving and more. It is loaded with all the features and the latest technology to satisfy everyone from the owner to the purchasing agent and, especially, the operator,” the company said.

Also announced, the Link-Belt 298 HSL lattice crawler crane has received an increase in its base rating, from 230 tons (207 metric tons) to 250 tons (226 metric tons). The upgrade will take effect immediately and will be designated by a 250 ton capacity badge on all new cranes shipping from Link-Belt.

An upgrade kit will be available for existing 230 ton (207 metric ton) 298 HSL machines which will include crane rating manuals, as well as a software upgrade with no physical changes or components required.

More than 200 attendees of the SC&RA Crane & Rigging Workshop, which was held September 19-21 in Louisville, KY, made the trip to the Link-Belt factory on Friday morning.

Link-Belt hosts its CraneFest events for customers and dealers the week of September 24. The company expects more than 800 dealers and customers at the two-day events that will be held concurrently. The company said that it was expecting visitors from more than 10 countries.

More details about these new cranes will follow in next week’s World Crane Week.