Link-Belt Unveils New All-Terrain Crane
November 1, 2006 • Link-Belt Construction Equipment Co.,
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Link-Belt's ATC-3250
Boom and lifting performance
The ATC-3250 features a 43.3- to 223.1-foot, full power, seven-section latching boom, with each section able to extend independently through a double acting, single stage, hydraulic cylinder. Four pinned positions of 0%, 46%, 92%, and 100% on each section provide 38 extension combinations for increased capacities when varying the extensions of the telescoping sections. A 17.7- to 43.3-foot two-piece, lattice fly and four lattice fly extensions, each measuring 19.7 feet, are available as options for additional reach. All of these attachment combinations have offset positions of 0°, 20°, and 40°. Using the 43.3-foot attachment with all four lattice extensions can extend the main boom tip height to a maximum of 358 feet.
Axial piston, constant displacement motors with final layer and third wrap indicators drive the main (front) and auxiliary (rear) winches and feature maximum line pull of 24,504 pounds and maximum line speed of 508 ft/min. The main and auxiliary grooved hoist drums contain 1,148 feet of 0.83 inch wire rope.
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This ATC-3200 on display at CraneFest was on its way to Marco Crane & Rigging Co., which serves
Additionally, a key feature of the crane is the LoadCom load radius compensating system which automatically compensates for any boom deflection by activating the boom hoist. As a result, operators do not have to precisely adjust the boom elevation and hoist to prevent the load from drifting.
A galvaneal cab with noise insulation provides the operator with a tilting capsule for high boom angle lifting. The capsule tilts independently from the cab, so there is no need to secure items within the structure. Two electric-over-hydraulic, dual-axis levers with fine metering capability control the winches, boom hoist, and swing.
Power and mobility
A 530 hp Mercedes-Benz engine and ZF AS-Tronic automated, 16-speed manual transmission delivers a top speed of 52.8 mph, and, with five axles, the ATC-3250 features a 10x8x8 drive/steer configuration. This combination allows the ATC-3250 to ascend 61% grades. A third axle lift system is incorporated that provides more inter-bridge spacing to comply with certain transportation requirements found throughout North America. According to Rick Curnutte, Telescopic Cranes Product Manager for Link-Belt, “Transportability is a key feature for North American buyers. This crane's design draws on resources from truck cranes in order to balance axle loads.”
The primary steering, controlled by simply turning the steering wheel, varies with the speed of the crane. Below 15.5 mph; axles 1, 2, 4, and 5 steer in combination, but if the speed of the crane increases, axle 4 and then axle 5 sequentially return to center until axles 1 and 2 become the only two axles steered. The ATC-3250 has five steering modes: front, combination, crab, independent rear, and temporary crab steering. The temporary crab mode allows the crane to drive away from an obstruction like a curb or a wall.
The suspension is a hydro-pneumatic system with automatic ride height leveling and level adjustment capabilities. The leveling adjustment allows the operator to tilt the ATC-3250 laterally and longitudinally from the carrier cab. The operator can level the crane before deploying outriggers so they can fully extend prior to raising the crane on its jacks.
The variable swing brake system on the ATC-3250 gives the operator distinct flexibility. In free swing mode, the operator can simply return the control level to neutral or gradually reverse the direction of the swing control lever to bring the upper to a smooth stop. In automatic brake mode, the upper will automatically stop when the controller returns to the neutral position. Swing speed is 1.8 rpm.
Standard features
Some other standard features include an automatic outrigger leveling system; one touch outrigger deployment; central lubrication for carrier and upper structure; air and electrical connections for a boom dolly or trailer; and a free swing and boom hoist float for transporting the boom over the rear with a boom dolly.
