A
born legend:
Link-Belt’s 298 HSL
Las Vegas, NV
(March 11, 2008)— Link-Belt showed the 298 HSL, a 230-ton (208.6
mt) hydraulic lattice boom crawler crane at ConExpo in Las Vegas.
Perfect for all types of work, the 298 HSL provides the replacement
answer for all the aging 230-ton crawlers in fleets around the world.
Because of this crane’s performance, easy assembly and disassembly, and
easy transportability, that replacement decision is easy.
Grace under power
Continuing the highly successful HYLAB tradition, the 298 HSL brings
pinpoint, hydraulic pilot operated controls and bulletproof reliability
to the table. With a 230-ton (208.6 mt) capacity, it has 55,000 lbs (24
947.58 kg) of available line pull and a maximum line speed of 525 fpm
(160.02 m/min). To handle this kind of line pull, the wide, 35-in (889
mm) front and rear drums demand 28-mm rope.
But strength is nothing without control. Patterned after the 218 HSL, the controls on this 230-ton crawler continue to set the standard to which others are compared. A Mitsubishi Tier 3 approved 6M70-T3 engine, rated at 365 hp (272 Kw), powers the pump package to allow a more constant line speed under load. This gives the operator smooth performance and fine control. Front and rear hoist drums are driven by variable displacement hydraulic piston motors that power the double planetary drive. Hoist drums with adjustable speed control further enhance hoist and lowering control allowing the operator to synchronize drum speed.
Optional on the 298, is front and rear drum “freefall” using a new, customer-driven wet brake design. This wet disc-style brake has superior feel. Less robust designs come on hard and release quickly. This design allows precise control of even the lightest loads in the freefall mode. A third drum is also an option. These features provide greater operator control and significantly longer component life.
Easy come, easy go
The 298 HSL’s counterweight removal system removes the hydraulic
cylinders and integral frame in one piece with the counterweights to
reduce the weight of the main transport load. The removal system has
remote control. Counterweight pin releases are within easy reach for one
person, expediting the whole assembly/disassembly process. The 160,000
lbs (72 574.78 kg) of upper counterweight are designed for easy handling
and blended load-outs. The main unit transports at less than 88,000 lbs
(39 916.13 kg).
Reaching
out
The 298 HSL offers a 60–300-ft (18.29–91.44-m) tubular lattice boom. A
jib is also available up to 90 ft (27.43 m) and is offsettable to 5, 15,
and 25 degrees. For additional tip height, a 270-ft (82.3-m) main boom
can be combined with the 90-ft (27.43-m) jib for a maximum tip height of
365.5 ft (111.25 m). Further, the “blocked-over-end” capacities make
this crane extremely versatile and productive.
Details on the 298 luffer will be released soon so stay tuned!
Lap of luxury
The 298 HSL’s cab is highly functional, yet very comfortable. In
addition to the full complement of backlit gauges and adjustable
armchair-mounted controls, the ergonomic design offers the operator
several advantages: greater visibility; more room; adjustable boom,
swing, and load hoist controls; six-way adjustable seat; and an AM/FM
digital clock radio. Audio and visual alarms for swing, full engine
instrumentation, and a service monitor augment the controls. And for
those hot days, high-output air conditioning is standard. As a result,
the 298 is a pleasant place to work.
To make the operator’s life even easier, Link-Belt’s rated capacity
limiter is standard equipment. The color graphic display features
load-on-hook, as well as maximum allowable load-on-hook, boom length,
boom angle, tip height, and an audible/visual warning. The limiter also
features a function kick-out for both overload and anti-two block
occurrences. The system uses a sensor in the boom hoist dead end to feed
data to the load limiter computer.
Standard left, right, and front catwalks that remove and stow easily for
transport make the outside of the 298 HSL almost as comfortable and
convenient as the inside.
Not just Link-Belt’s word
Connie Davis of Davis Erecting in Greenville, North Carolina recently
took delivery of the 298 HSL he bought for precast concrete erecting.
“When they unveiled the 298, it was exactly what we wanted,” said
Connie. “It’s a mobile, good, strong crane for precast concrete. We can
assemble it and disassemble it in real tight spots.”
The 298 really endeared itself to Connie on a job in Charlotte, North Carolina. “They gave us six hours to tear this machine down,” he said. “We tore it down with 180 ft of boom and loaded it out with no assist crane in six hours and were gone from the project.”
That’s legendary performance from Link-Belt’s 298 HSL.
Other standout features of the 298 HSL
- Side frames transport at 41,500 lbs (18 824 kg) with standard 48-in (1 219.2 mm) shoes
- Optional third drum mounts in boom
- Available 180-ft luffing boom + 200-ft luffing jib (54.86-m + 60.96-m)
- Supported 24/7 by Link-Belt Preferred including online manuals, literature, a ground bearing calculator, and 3D Lift Plan