Link-Belt introduces new 50-ton telescopic truck crane

LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 2003) — Link-Belt Construction Equipment Co. announces the new HTC-8650 Series II, 50-ton (45 mt), telescopic truck crane featuring removable slab counterweights, front and rear air-ride suspension, Caterpillar™ engine and a ZF Astronic transmission. With full counterweight, the total gross vehicle weight is less than 80,000 lbs. (36 287 kg), making this 50-tonner the most roadable, big capacity truck crane in North America today.

The newly designed formed carrier frame provides a lightweight, but exceptionally rigid lifting base for all modes of operation. A low center of gravity provides excellent stability and superior strength for outstanding 360-degree capacities. With the addition of air-ride to the front suspension, the overall ride performance of the HTC-8650 makes it one of the smoothest riding truck cranes in its class.

The HTC-8650 is powered by the 335 horsepower Caterpillar C-10, 10-liter engine and is matched up to the ZF Astronic automatic transmission with 12 forward and two reverse speeds, which easily travels at highway speeds of 60 mph (96.8 km/hr). For traveling on the job site, the machine has the ability to get down to a creep speed of 1.3 mph (2.09 km/hr).

In order to achieve roadability in all 50 states, Link-Belt has outfitted the machine with three hydraulically removable “slab-type” counterweights. Weighing 3,600 lbs. (1 633 kg), each, hydraulic cylinders easily raise and lower the counterweight slabs onto the deck.

This enables the operator to tailor the machine’s axle loads to meet their local road regulations. Getting on the road is quick and easy with four, lightweight “Stow-N-Go” pontoons that can securely store on the outrigger jack.

The crane is equipped with a 35.5 - 110 ft. (10.8 - 33.5 m) full power, four-section boom. The maximum tip height is 117.4 ft. (35.8 m) with superior capacities and two boom extension modes. Vertical and horizontal reach increases with the optional 28 - 51 ft. (8.7 - 15.5 m) fly attachment, offsettable to two, 20 and 40 degrees. The maximum tip height of the boom plus fly is 167 ft. (50.9 m).

The new HTC-8650 has a storage box located in the right, front fender with additional storage boxes on the left and right side of the carrier conveniently located next to the side access ladders. The HTC-8650 has many features common to the HTC product line including: CALC (Confined Area Lifting Capacities), Microguard 434 rated capacity limiter, CabWalk, Ultra-Cab, joystick (dual-axis) or single axis controls, full deck aluminum fenders and pre-paint.