Link-Belt launches new 218 HSL lattice crawler crane

Lexington, Ky. (March, 2005) — Link-Belt announces the completely new 218 HYLAB HSL, a 110 ton (99.79 mt) hydraulic lattice boom crawler crane, presenting a variety of next generation features with the most important being that this 110 ton crawler crane can move in most states without removing the crawlers. Other major highlights include a new RCL (Rated Capacity Limiter), a completely new winch package with wet brake design, a new 7-piece counterweight design with an innovative counterweight removal system, lift capacity increases, a Mitsubishi 6D24-TLAZL diesel engine with 266 horsepower, 3rd and 4th drum options, and quicker overall assembly/disassembly with Link-Belt’s patented “Quick Draw” system.

The HYLAB Tradition Continues

As a continuation of the highly successful HYLAB (HYdraulic LAttice Boom) series of lattice boom cranes first introduced to the North American market in 1987, the new 218 HSL is the first crane design from the new Hitachi-Sumitomo-Link-Belt alliance that ushers in a whole new era of reliable, customer driven crane designs.

Hoist Package

Front and rear drums utilize a 4-speed hydraulic piston motor that powers the double planetary drive. This new design is a result of extensive research to find a wet disc style brake that has superior “feel” compared to other less robust wet brake designs that are known for coming on hard and releasing quickly. The brake is positioned on the output side of the winch planetary, allowing precise control of even the lightest loads in the freefall mode. This brake design provides greater ‘feel’, smooth control and significantly greater component life. Hoist is achieved with 26 mm rope on both hoist drums.

There is an optional rear mounted 4th drum with freefall that is equally matched to the front and rear drums. Additional standard features are pilot operated hydraulic controls and drum pawls on front and rear drums. An optional front mounted 3rd drum with the Link-Belt exclusive free spooling for pile driving applications is also available utilizing the same package as the 218 H series.

Quick Counterweight Removal and
Load-Out

Link-Belt’s exclusive, new hydraulic counterweight removal system for the new 218 HSL allows the hydraulic cylinders and integral device to be removed in one piece with the counterweights to reduce the machine transport weight. The removal system is easily handled from the operator control station on the counterweight deck. Operator controls and counterweight pin releases are within easy reach for one person, expediting the whole assembly/disassembly process. The five piece, 62,840 lb (28 504 kg) counterweight and two 11,100 lb (5 035 kg) sideframe counterweights are designed for easy handling and blended load-outs. The 218 HSL easily transports with complete attachment in four loads, without the assistance of a “helper” crane. The complete crane, less counterweights with base section, transports with both drums (with rope) and self assembly device weighing in at 99,960 lbs (44 341 kg).

With carbody counterweights and extendable tracks, the 218 HSL out-picks the competition virtually everywhere on the chart, making it the strongest crane in its class that can be transported with the crawlers assembled. The sideframes extend to 17.5 ft (5.33 m) wide for a solid lifting base and hydraulically, smoothly retract to less than 12 ft (3.66 m) for either restricted on-site travel or transportation.

Superior Reach and Enhanced Capacities

The 218 HSL offers a tubular lattice boom from 40 to 230 ft (12.19 to 70.10 m). A jib is also available from 30 to 75 ft (9.14 to 22.86 m) and can be offset to 5, 15 and 25 degrees. For additional tip height, a 190-foot main boom can be combined with a 75 ft (22.86 m) jib for a maximum tip height of 265 ft (80.77 m). This combination can be hoisted, from the ground, unassisted. The 218 HSL is even more versatile and productive with its “blocked-over-end” capacities.

Latest Luffer Design

When rigged in the luffing attachment mode, the 218 HSL’s main boom becomes the luffing boom to make up 140’ + 140’ (42.67 + 42.67m) of attachment. The luffing attachment’s working range starts at the 90 degree luffing boom angle and luffs out to 65 degrees. Luffer operation does not require a 3rd drum – unlike some other cranes in this class.

Outstanding Job Application Flexibility

An optional five-foot, single sheave extension tip auxiliary is available, in addition to the tube boom top section that is outfitted with a universal set of connecting lugs for auxiliary sheaves, fixed jib and pile driving adapter. All of these features are designed to make it the most job-application flexible crane in the fleet.

The New HYLAB Cab

The 218 HSL features a totally redesigned, larger operator’s cab. In addition to the full complement of backlit gauges and adjustable armchair-mounted controls, the ergonomic design offers the operator several advantages, such as greater visibility, more room, easy to read and intelligently located controls and gauges, adjustable boom, swing and load hoist controls, six-way adjustable seat, and an AM/FM digital clock radio. The crane also includes audio and visual alarms for swing, full engine instrumentation and a service monitor. As a result, this new cab is set up to be highly functional, yet very comfortable.

The 218 HSL features a new rated capacity limiter which incorporates the very latest Sumitomo/Hitachi/Link-Belt design. The new color graphic display features load-on-hook, as well as maximum allowable load-on-hook, boom length, boom angle, tip height, and audible/visual warning. In addition, this new limiter features a function kick out for both overload and anti-two block occurrences. This load indicator system utilizes load sensing in the boom hoist dead end to feed data to the load limiter computer.

Standard left, right, and front catwalks are easily removed and stored for transport.

Standard Pile Driving Features

For additional flexibility on this 110 ton rig, the 218 HSL comes standard with a built-in spotter circuit, 3rd and 4th drum plumbing controls and a pile driving lead adaptor mounting on the top section. All of these features only serve to expand the long term flexibility of this next generation machine.

Field Proven Hydraulic Power Flow System

Link-Belt’s proven, state-of-the-art variable displacement hydraulic power system was first introduced with the HYLAB crawler cranes several years ago. With this system, load hoist and lowering speeds are directly proportional to hoist lever movement. Boom hoist speed is controlled in a similar manner.

Meets OSHA Requirements for Personnel Handling

The 218 HSL meets OSHA Ruling 29 CFR (October 3, 1988 and April 18, 1989) regarding two-block and automatic brake systems on cranes used to handle personnel. All HYLAB cranes, including the new 218 HSL feature anti-two block systems as standard equipment.