Muscle: Link-Belt’s ATC-3250
Las Vegas, NV (March 11, 2008) — Link-Belt showed the 250-ton (Int’l rating: 220-mt) ATC-3250 all terrain crane at ConExpo in Las Vegas. Piling on serious lift to an already potent product line, this crane combines all the job-proven attributes of the ATC-3200 with even more muscle.
A long reach
The ATC-3250 is equipped with a 43.3–223.1-ft (13.2–68.0-m), full power,
seven-section, latching boom. The sections extend independently by means
of one double-acting, single stage hydraulic cylinder. Four pinned
positions of 0%, 46%, 92%, and 100% on each section provide thirty-eight
extend combinations for superior capacities when varying the extensions
of the telescoping sections.
A 17.7–43.3-ft (5.4–13.2-m) two-piece, lattice fly and four lattice fly inserts are available as options for additional reach. Each of the inserts is 19.7 ft (6.0 m) and extends the fly length to 63 ft (19.2 m), 82.7 ft (25.2 m), 102.4 ft (31.2 m), and 122.1 ft (37.2 m). All of these attachment combinations have offset positions of 0, 20, and 40 degrees. The 43.3-ft (13.2-m) attachment with all four lattice inserts used in combination with the main boom reaches a maximum tip height of 358 ft (109.1 m).
Strength with finesse
The ATC-3250 features the job-proven LoadCom load radius compensating
system. Given the inevitable boom deflection under load, operators have
to precisely adjust the boom elevation and winch to keep a load from
drifting out. On the 3250, the LoadCom feature eliminates the guesswork.
As a load lifts, the LoadCom system automatically compensates for this
boom deflection by activating the boom hoist.
Encapsulating comfort
The galvaneal cab with acoustical insulation has a tilting capsule for
high boom angle lifting. This capsule, consisting of the seat,
joysticks, pedals, and main console, tilts independently of the cab.
This innovative system makes the operator more comfortable and
eliminates the need to secure personal items as in a regular tilting
cab.
The cab has a sliding composite door, large tinted glass windows, and a hydraulically adjustable, cushioned seat with headrest. The controls and instrumentation are ergonomically designed and conveniently positioned. Outrigger controls are also located in the operator’s cab.
Two electric-over-hydraulic, dual-axis levers with fine metering capability control the winches, boom hoist, and swing.
Heating and air conditioning, a cabin pre-heater with a pre-settable timer, AM/FM stereo with CD player, power front window, floodlights, and an integrated cab walk are standard.
Worthwhile winches
Axial piston, constant displacement motors with final layer and third
wrap indicators drive the main (front) and auxiliary (rear) winches. The
main and auxiliary grooved hoist drums contain 1,148 ft (350 m) of 0.83
in (21 mm) wire rope. Maximum line pull for each winch is a powerful
24,504 lbs (11 114.8 kg) and the maximum line speed is 508 ft/min (154.7
m/min).
Free swing or automatic braking mode
The variable swing brake system on the ATC-3250 gives the operator great
flexibility. In free swing mode, the operator can simply return the
control lever 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.
Agile ATC
All terrain cranes must be highly mobile. The ATC-3250 sets the market
pace for power and mobility. A 530-horsepower (390-kW) Mercedes-Benz
engine and ZF AS-Tronic automated, 16-speed manual transmission deliver
a top speed of 52.8 mph (85.0 km/hr). With five axles, the ATC-3250
features a 10x8x8 drive/steer configuration. This combination of power
and traction allows the 3250 to tackle 61% grades. Also, a third axle
lift system is incorporated that provides more inter-bridge spacing to
comply with certain transportation requirements found throughout North
America.
The primary steering, controlled by simply turning the steering wheel, varies with the speed of the crane. Below 15.5 mph (25 km/h), axles 1, 2, 4, and 5 steer in combination. As the speed of the crane increases, axle 4 and then axle 5 sequentially return to center until axle 1 and 2 become the only two axles steered. There are also five additional steering modes including independent front, combination, crab, independent rear, and a temporary crab steering mode. The temporary crab mode allows the crane to drive away from an obstruction like a curb or a wall.
The carrier has other mobility conveniences like cruise control, engine compression brake, and a driveline intarder. The intarder, produced by ZF, is a hydrodynamic driveline brake that is integral to the transmission.
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 3250 laterally and longitudinally from the carrier cab. The operator can level the crane before deploying the outriggers so they can fully extend prior to raising the crane on its jacks.
The ATC-3250 piles on performance to Link-Belt’s ATC line.
Other standout features of the ATC-3250:
- 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
- A free swing and boom hoist float for transporting the boom over the rear with a boom dolly
- Meets SAE structural and stability requirements
- Supported 24/7 by Link-Belt Preferred including online manuals, literature, a ground bearing calculator, and 3D Lift Plan