Reimagining Reliability

If it’s not broken, don’t fix it” makes perfect sense, noted Kelly Fiechter, product manager for rough terrain cranes at Link-Belt. “But what if it can be made better?” he asked. “What if new technologies can be applied to an existing product so it’s more reliable, longer lasting and easier to operate?”

With the newly updated Link-Belt 65|RT rough terrain crane, Link-Belt didn’t have to go back to the drawing board, but rather improved upon a reliable and familiar fleet option. The 65-U.S. ton model has undergone several specification changes and extensive testing. Following a limited release earlier this year, the 65|RT is being fully launched this month.

As the successor to the highly successful Link-Belt RTC-8065 II, the new 65|RT features: 

• A four-section full-power boom (38-115 feet).
• One- and two-piece manually offsettable flies (35 and 35-58 feet).
• One or two 16-feet boom extensions.
• 211.6 feet of maximum tip height with extensions.
• 16,883-pound winch line pull capability.
• 459 feet per minute winch line speed.
• 12,000 pounds. of counterweight.
• Transport weight under 92,000 pounds fully rigged.

What’s New

The Link-Belt 65|RT now features a new hydraulic boom extend system. The new system features a new cable hose reel that replaces the previous cable tray design, improving overall service life as well as hose wear.

The 65|RT received a new Dana transmission that has six speeds — three forward and three reverse gears — and features a remote filter for ease of servicing. “This new transmission provides the same level of performance and specification as the previous gearbox,” Fiechter explained.

New standard features included on the 65|RT also include:

• A steel flat deck for improved durability with six points of access.
• Anti-skid paint that offers more friction on walking surfaces replacing sand strips. 
• Fall arrest anchors that allow for tie-offs where required by code.
• LED lighting for improved visibility at night and while working on jobsites.
• Wireless anemometer.

The standard ergonomic operator’s cab on the 65|RT features extra-large windows for an unobstructed view of the jobsite, air conditioning, time-delayed wipers, a Bluetooth AM/FM radio integrated with a NOAA weather radio, an internal RCL light bar and single or dual axis hydraulic controllers. All gauges and switches are backlit for superior visibility in low light conditions and there’s a vision package, which includes rear, side and winch cameras with a dedicated camera display.

Other standard features included on the 65|RT are Link-Belt’s in-house designed Pulse rated capacity limiter system. This system features a large graphical color display where the operator can easily view the crane’s condition at all times. Some key features of the Pulse system include real time data, wind speed and operator settable alarms. This system also features a cellular-based telematics system that monitors the crane’s location and operational settings. The telematics system can also log fault codes and track service intervals.

“The 65|RT continues as a leader in the service and maintenance category as well,” Fiechter said. “There are swing-out doors and removable panels to access the engine, transmission and hydraulic components. Filters for transmission oil, engine oil and fuel are remote mounted for ease of access.

“The engine control and Pulse displays in the operator’s cab on the 65|RT are programmed to show defined error codes to assist with troubleshooting,” Fiechter continued. “And maintenance time is greatly reduced with sealed systems that require no grease, such as the main boom, head machinery and four-link rear suspension.

“Overall, the 65|RT offers a new level of control, reliability and performance,” Fiechter added. “The changes on the 65|RT are a reflection of new industry standards seen across Link-Belt’s rough terrain crane product line.”

Link-Belt’s rough terrain crane family includes seven models from 65 to 160 U.S. tons in capacity. Four of the models feature full power booms and three are equipped with pin and latch boom systems.

Range of Capabilities

The 65-ton rough terrain is commonly used for a range of capabilities such as a support crane for larger, spread-out jobsites, Fiechter noted, adding that one of the first 65|RT units shipped is doing foundation work on a wind energy jobsite. “These cranes are very useful for material handling, off-loading and loading other equipment,” he said. “Their mobility is a plus because they don’t have to be spotted in a fixed location on a jobsite, and in most instances, they can be hauled to a jobsite in one piece and be ready to work. There is a reason they are often called the Swiss Army Knife of cranes.

“The outlook for the rough terrain market includes increased interest in smaller capacity models like the 65|RT,” Fiechter continued. “Market demand for rough terrain cranes below the 65-ton class has dropped as rental and crane operator fleets want to standardize on a higher capacity model while maintaining a cost-effective specification.

“A 65-ton rough terrain crane like the 65|RT provides quite a bit more specification without requiring much more initial or operating cost,” Fiechter added. “This size crane simply makes sense.”