175|ATs pick 110,000-pound bridge beams

Two 175-ton Link-Belt Cranes 175|ATs assisted a Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) project, tandem picking bridge beams.

Located in Boyd, Texas, the project includes replacing bridges and resurfacing across a four-mile span of Farm Road 730 (FM 730). Bulldog Crane and Rigging of Rhome, Texas, utilized the 175|ATs, purchased from Link-Belt dealer HOLT Crane & Equipment, to complete the work.

Bulldog Crane Vice President of Sales and operator Chris Newman said the 175|ATs were the perfect cranes for the job.

“We used the 175|ATs to tandem pick 16 bridge beams at 110,000 pounds each,” Newman said. “Working at a 45-foot radius, they managed the weight with ease.”

The machines’ tight footprint and efficient counterweight design especially suited the application. By not running the 175|ATs at full counterweight, Bulldog minimized transport loads and optimized its schedule.

“Keeping that small footprint came in clutch,” Newman said. “And less trucks means less time and money spent.”

Aside from bridge work, Bulldog utilizes the cranes for HVAC and cement batch plant jobs due to their solid chart and impressive onboard boom. Fitted with a 42.7–197.3-foot pin and latch telescopic boom, the 175|AT features a maximum tip height of 315.1 feet, making rooftop picks simple.

“Link-Belt offers a nice and modern product that serves a variety of needs,” Newman said. “The 175|AT is no exception.”