Link-Belt Construction Equipment, Lexington, Ky., debuted the 200-ton 248 HSL last week at CraneFest 2012. The 248 HSL is the next generation of the 248 HYLAB 5 Series, which started more than 20 years ago. The 248 HSL will be beneficial to contractors involved in steel erection, bridge work, pile driving, and more.
Customer input drove much of the new design for the 248 HSL. The crane comes standard with folding upper guardrails and full-length right and left catwalks with grab handles. The crane operator will be assisted by an on-board, high-resolution backup camera that will help monitor jobsite conditions. An outside audio/visual travel alarm system informs crew members on the ground. The HSL monitoring system provides the operator all critical lift information, and it allows the operator to set swing and other control parameters creating virtual walls with audio and visual alarms. Greater fuel efficiency is offered with the new ECO system, resulting in lowered operating cost, less engine RPM under load, and fewer emissions. When activated by the operator, ECO allows maximum line speed with lighter loads while the engine remains under 1,000RPM. Also, standard equipped as part of this system, the operator-selectable auto-engine shutdown will turn the engine off after extended periods of inactivity, so long as critical operating criteria are met.
The 282-hp Isuzu 6HK1 Tier 4i engine has been tested to ensure critical uptime while producing reliable, clean-burning power. The high-performance tandem main piston pump and gear pump package provide total horsepower control by maximizing available power for high flow/speed, as needed. The Link-Belt hydraulic, pilot operated control system directs and regulates flow to deliver millimeters when needed.
Upper
The 248 HSL has a main boom length of 55 to 285 ft. and incorporates lifting sheaves in the boom base section for fast assembly and disassembly. A fixed jib ranges from 30 to100 ft. for a maximum tip height of 345 ft. Piston motors drive the swing and travel systems, front/rear winches, and boom hoist. The matching performance 26mm main winch grooved drums come standard with power up/power down and automatic brakes. Optional “wet-style” main drum hoist brakes for free-fall operation are available on one or both main drums. The foot-operated, dynamic-style, swing brake controls manual overlap of the braking and swing applications, giving the operator greater control under a wide range of conditions. The operator’s cab of the 248 HSL is highly functional and comfortable. In addition to the full complement of backlit gauges and adjustable armchair-mounted controls, the ergonomic design offers the operator several advantages: greater visibility, more room, adjustable boom, swing, and load hoist controls; six-way adjustable seat, and AM/FM digital clock radio. For hot days, high-output air conditioning is standard.
Lower
Like its predecessor, the 248HSL has a heavy-duty lower with two carbody counterweights to provide a lifting base and long life with all sealed rollers, idlers, and drive components, along with full contact 44-in. shoes, and a 25-in. clearance in its working configuration. Carbody jacks come standard with a remote control for fast, easy assembly with increased lowboy clearance both in width and height. For transport, the modular upper counterweight removal system lowers the counterweights to the ground from the remote control station, much like Link-Belt’s 218 and 238 HSL style. The hydraulic cylinders detach in one piece with the base counterweight to reduce the weight of the main transport load. The upper counterweights consist of a 20,000-lb. “A” counterweight and six 15,000-lb. biscuit counterweights. Main counterweight release and engage pins simplify the assembly/disassembly process. For even quicker mobility, the 35,000-lb. side-frames attach via hook and pin. The main load with base and self-erection equipment weighs less than 87,000 lbs. Two 17,650-lb. carbody weights help provide a strong lift chart in a compact package.
Source: http://www.cranehotline.com/articles/6064/next-generation-crawler-crane-introduced-by-link-belt/
