EXCLUSIVE: Link-Belt rolls out 225-US ton all-terrain crane

Attendees of Link-Belt’s CraneFest in the USA are in for a treat this week when the company rolls out the all-new 225|AT. The 225-US ton (200 metric ton) capacity all-terrain crane is the third AT in the company’s range of 5-axle ATs, positioned in between its 175|AT and 300|AT, which are 175 tons (150 metric tons) and 300 tons (275 metric tons), respectively.

Designed, built and tested at Link-Belt’s factory in Lexington, the new 225|AT was launched at the company’s CraneFest event in Lexington, Kentucky, USA, September 16-20, 2024.

The five-axle 225|AT includes a 46 to 202-foot (14 to 62-meter) six-section latching boom, a 42 to 71-foot (13 to 22-meter) two-piece hydraulic offsetable SmartFly, an 8-foot (2.4-meter) heavy-lift jib, one or two 25-feet (7.6-meter) lattice fly extensions, and a 334-foot (101.8-meter) maximum tip height with maximum attachment.

The crane incorporates Link-Belt’s Pulse 2.0 operating system and its wireless rigging remote system.

As crane companies go, Link-Belt is among the most strategic in determining the right crane to launch for the market. It’s a gamble to start production on a new model, knowing that crane development and testing often takes a couple of years, according to Andrew Soper, Product Manager Telescopic Truck and All Terrain Cranes.

“We’re excited to add the 225|AT to our product offering,” said Soper. “I’m personally thrilled for customers to experience this AT platform with its new features, improved capacities and superior transportability.”

Soper explained that the North America AT market is extremely competitive, with 11 models in the 111 to 150 metric ton market, five models in the 151 to 219 metric ton market, and nine models in the 220 to 300 metric ton market.

Designed, built and tested at Link-Belt’s factory in Lexington, the new crane was developed in concert with the 300|AT, which was launched in 2023 at the ConExpo trade show.

The 225-US ton capacity all-terrain crane is the third AT in the company’s range of 5-axle ATs.

“By determining the next AT in the line up ahead of time, we were able to shorten our production scalability and time to market,” Soper said. “This crane was designed with a strong focus toward the North American market.”

The 225|AT features an improved reach, larger capacities and more counterweight than its predecessor, the 210 US ton (185 metric ton) capacity ATC-3210, while maintaining the important transportability aspect of the Link-Belt’s AT range. Featuring a modular design, the 225|AT features 118,000 pounds (36 metric tons) of maximum counterweight, a 29,392-pound (8,958-kilogram) maximum winch line pull, and a maximum line speed of 384 feet per minute (117 meters per minute). The crane is EPA on-highway compliant with a ZF TraXon automated transmission, a single-engine platform, and a Cummins X15 diesel carrier engine, featuring a top speed of 55 miles per hour (88.5 kilometers per hour) and a brake horsepower of 554 (413 kilowatts) at 2,000 revolutions per minute.

Others are a slip-resistant paint deck, fall arrest anchors at all maintenance points and an acclaimed lighting and vision package that includes powered and heated side view mirrors, HID head lamps and LED indicator lights, Soper said.

The 225|AT is HVO ready (a renewable diesel fuel), including a dual-tank system with a 165-gallon (625-liter) fuel capacity and a max torque of 1,850 foot-pounds (2,508 Newton-meters) at 1,800 revolutions per minute. The crane’s SmartStack counterweight detection capabilities and Variable Confined Area Lifting Capacities (V-CALC) system provides unlimited outrigger configurations, Soper said. It also includes real-time ground bearing pressures.

Testing on the 225|AT has been taking place over the past year. The first models should be delivered by second quarter 2025.