Link-Belt completes luffer tests on 500 tonne crawler
27 January 2009
US-based Link-Belt has completed luffing jib and capacity tests on its new 550 US ton (500 tonne) capacity model 548 lattice boom crawler crane.
Machines are on the test pad at Hitachi Sumitomo's facility in Saijo, Japan. Hitachi Sumitomo is a subsidiary of Link-Belt's parent company Sumitomo Heavy Industries and Hitachi. They are now completing function testing and load moment calibration and verification. Shipments into North America are planned for the second quarter of 2009.
Introduced at the March 2008 ConExpo construction equipment exhibition in Las Vegas, the 548's preliminary specifications place the heavy-duty boom at 79 to 275 feet (24 to 84 m) and the long-range boom at 138 to 354 feet (42 to 108 m). Complete luffer specifications will be announced soon. Future testing will involve a heavy-lift attachment.
