The New Haven (Conn.) Terminal (NHT) has installed a Link-Belt® LS-718 mobile crawler crane that handles a minimum of 200 tons of scrap per hour when loading ships. Prior to purchase of the LS-718, NHT undertook a study to determine the possibility of reducing the time required to load a ship with scrap. Two gantry-mounted and one crawler-mounted cranes fitted with lifting magnets are used.
After an extensive analysis, NHT made the decision to purchase a Link-Belt crawler crane with a lift capacity of 50 tons at a 50-foot radius and with a 130-foot boom. The unit is equipped with independent travel and elevated operator's cab. Also, the production requirement was established as 200 tons per hour to reduce ship loading time. NHT designed a special bucket to handle one truckload of scrap.
The LS-718 is said to be performing to the customer's satisfaction. It is handling the 29-ton load (9-ton bucket weight and 20 tons of scrap) easily, and obtaining the minimum of 200 tons per hour. The elevated cab does give a full view of the hatch opening, enabling the operator to spot the load even in the corners of the hold.
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