MEI Industrial Solutions Deploys Link-Belt 300|AT Crane in Data Center Construction

(Sponsored Content) — MEI Industrial Solutions of Coppell, Texas, has put the first Link-Belt Cranes 300-ton (275-metric ton) 300|AT all terrain crane to work in the field. Delivered by distributor Link-Belt Mid-Atlantic, the crane has been in operation since June 2025 as part of MEI’s taxi crane fleet.

The 300|AT has been used at MEI’s Chantilly, Virginia, staging yard near Dulles International Airport to unload equipment for regional data center construction. This includes chillers weighing 30,000 pounds at a 60-foot radius. The equipment is shipped from Laredo, Texas, to support northern Virginia’s expanding data center market, which accounts for 13% of worldwide operational capacity.

“We lift chillers, generators, you name it,” said MEI crane operator Joshua Luis.

Luis highlighted the 300|AT’s highway performance, describing it as comparable to driving a Cadillac down the road. He also pointed to features such as remote-controlled outriggers, simplified assembly, and Link-Belt’s Pulse 2.0 operating system.

“Pulse 2.0 makes operating the 300|AT easy,” Luis said. “If I have any trouble, I can call Link-Belt Mid-Atlantic, and they can assist and keep me working.”

As a single-engine machine, the 300|AT is designed for straightforward maintenance. Luis noted its fine metering capabilities, boom speed, and swing controls as beneficial when operating in compact work zones.

“With the 300|AT, I can pick generators with a six-part line that other cranes would need eight parts of line for,” Luis said. “That makes work a lot smoother and a lot faster.”

The crane’s turning radius, suspension, steering, and standard camera package were also cited by Luis as advantages for maneuvering on job sites.

“In terms of the crane moving around on the job site, this is definitely the best crane that I’ve worked in,” said Luis, who has 25 years of operating experience. “It’s working great for me.”

In his short time with the 300|AT, Luis said it has already earned his recommendation.

“If anyone’s looking into getting a 300 ton, this is definitely one to get,” he said. “It’s a really good crane.”

Link-Belt Cranes, headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, is a leader in the design and manufacture of telescopic boom and lattice boom cranes for the construction industry worldwide. Complete crane specifications are available at www.linkbelt.com.