Link-Belt announces new ATC-3200

Las Vegas, NV (March, 2005) — Link-Belt has expanded its entry into the all terrain market with the introduction of the new ATC-3200, a 200 ton (181.4 mt) all terrain crane. Special among all of the new features on this brand new telescopic crane is the exclusive LoadCom feature that effectively compensates for boom deflection as a load is being lifted off the ground.

Long Reach Attachment

The ATC-3200 is equipped with a new 43.3 - 196.9 ft (13.2 - 60.0 m) full power, six-section latching boom which extends each telescoping section independently by means of one double acting, single stage hydraulic cylinder.

A 17.7 - 43.3 ft (5.4 - 13.2 m) two-piece, lattice fly and four lattice fly extensions are available as options for additional reach. Each of the extensions is 19.7 ft (6.0 m) and extends the fly length to 63.0 ft (19.2 m), 82.7 ft (25.2 m), 102.4 ft (31.2 m), and 122.0 ft (37.2 m). All of these attachment combinations have offset positions of 0, 20, and 40 degrees. The 43.3 ft (13.2m) attachment with all four lattice extensions used in combination with the main boom achieves a maximum tip height of 331 ft (101.0 m).

LoadCom Feature Compensates Load Radius

An exclusive new item on this telescopic crane is the LoadCom feature that effectively compensates for boom deflection as a load is being lifted off the ground. With boom and attachment combinations reaching higher and further, boom deflection under load is inevitable. Operators have to precisely adjust the boom elevation and winch together to keep a load from drifting out when it is lifted off the ground. With LoadCom, these calculations are automatically determined and the boom hoist is activated.

Seat Capsule Tilts…..Not the Cab

The ATC-3200 features an exclusive tilting operator’s seat capsule that operates separate from the cab structure. The seat capsule includes the seat, left and right control stands, floor and floor pedals, and the main console. All these components tilt together for better operator comfort when working the crane at high boom angles. This innovative system achieves the same goal as a conventional tilting cab, without all the hassles of securing personal effects every time the operator needs the tilting feature.

The cab has a sliding composite door, large tinted glass windows, and hydraulically adjustable cushioned seat with a headrest. The controls and instrumentation are ergonomically designed and conveniently positioned, and display information in North American units of measure. Provisions for outrigger operations are also located in the operator’s cab.

The crane’s main operational controls are two electric-over-hydraulic, dual axis levers with fine metering capability for the winches, boom hoist, and swing. The main controllers, in conjunction with the rated capacity limiter (RCL), can also assemble and disassemble the modular counterweights.

Additional features are heating and air conditioning, a cabin pre-heater with a pre-settable timer, AM/FM stereo with CD player, power front window, floodlights, and an integrated cab walk.

Winches That Perform

The main (front) and auxiliary (rear) winches are driven by axial piston, constant displacement motors with final layer and third wrap wire rope indicators. The main and auxiliary grooved hoist drums contain 1017 ft (310 m) and 820 ft (250 m) of 0.83 in (21 mm) wire rope respectively. Maximum line pull for each winch is powerful at 21,010 lbs (9 530 kg) and the maximum line speed is 526 fpm (160.2 m/min).

Free Swing or Automatic Braking Mode

The variable swing brake system on the ATC-3200 gives the operator the flexibility to bring the upper to a stop in different ways. In free swing mode, the operator can simply return the control lever to neutral and let the upper coast to a smooth stop or the operator can bring the upper to a stop by gradually reversing the direction of the swing control lever. In automatic brake mode the upper will automatically stop when the controller is returned to the neutral position. The swing speed is 1.5 rpm.

Mobility

The carrier performance is enhanced by a 517 horsepower (380kW) Mercedes Benz engine and ZF AS-Tronic automated 16 speed manual transmission that delivers a top speed of 52.8 mph (85.0km/hr). With five axles and a 27 ft 10 in (8.5m) wheel base, the ATC-3200 features a 10x8x8 drive/steer configuration with 20.5R25 tires. A third axle lift system is incorporated that provides more inter-bridge spacing to comply with certain transportation requirements found throughout North America.

The primary steering, controlled simply by turning the steering wheel, varies with the speed of the crane. Below 15.5mph (25 km/h) axles 1, 2, 4, and 5 steer in combination. As the speed of the crane increases, axle 5 and then axle 4 sequentially return to center until axle 1 and 2 become the only two axles steered. There are also five additional steering modes including independent front, combination, crab, independent rear, and a temporary crab steering mode. The temporary crab steering mode allows the crane to be driven away from an obstruction like a curb or a wall. The turning radius at the centerline of tire is a tight 31 ft 6in (9.6m) and the overall turning radius for the entire crane is only 40 ft 4 in (12.3m).

The carrier has other mobility conveniences like cruise control, engine compression brake, and a driveline intarder. The intarder is produced by ZF and is a hydrodynamic driveline brake that is integral to the transmission.

The suspension is a hydro-pneumatic system with automatic ride height leveling and level adjustment capabilities. With leveling adjustment, the crane can be tilted laterally and longitudinally by pushing a series of buttons in the carrier cab. This enables the operator to level the crane before deploying the outriggers to ensure the outriggers can be fully extended prior to raising the crane on its jacks.

Convenient Outrigger and Suspension Controls

New and innovative on the ATC-3200 are the outrigger/suspension controls mounted on both sides of the carrier. These stations not only enable the operator to have full control of the outriggers and suspension, they also provide starting, stopping, and throttle control of the engine. Other features include deploying two outrigger beams at the same time, automatic leveling when the crane is up on its outrigger jacks, and one touch lowering of the outrigger jacks.

Loads of Standard Features

The ATC-3200 all-terrain crane has a long list of additional features like central lubrication for carrier and upper structure, air and electrical connections for a boom dolly or trailer, integral boom dolly connections, free swing and boom hoist float for transporting the boom over the rear of the crane with a boom dolly, and, like all Link-Belt cranes, it’s been tested to meet SAE structural and stability requirements.