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.
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