Link-Belt HC-218 Truck Crane

[redneckrigger]

4 hours ago, Straightliner59 said:

Having to redo stuff is frustrating. I feel that pain! Every time I look at this, it gives me the same feeling as when I see any other beautiful artwork--you know, it just make you feel like you're smiling, inside? This is fantastic, and you should be very proud, Tom.

I know what you mean. When I discovered the problem, I just took the time to figure out how to fix it. I guess retirement has been good for me. The working me would have had an issue or two with it, and it probably would not have been fixable, as the section would have been kinda flat! But my fix plan worked well!  Now back to making progress again!

[Randy D]

This continues to be an awesome project Tom.  The booms are crazy good!!!!

Randy

[redneckrigger]

The boom continues to be a major part of this build. So far, it has about 380 pieces.  When done, with the rigging connectors, the folding portion and the boom head it will have well over 750 pieces in its construction.  Started putting the boom connector pieces in place today.  THIS is where I wish I knew how to 3D print.  If only for the uniformity alone, it would be fantastic! Boy, do I miss Shapeways! Used to be able to get all sorts of tiny intricate parts made to order.  But making 20-30 of the same piece just builds character!!!

[ShakyCraftsman]

5 minutes ago, redneckrigger said:

The boom continues to be a major part of this build. So far, it has about 380 pieces.  When done, with the rigging connectors, the folding portion and the boom head it will have well over 750 pieces in its construction.  Started putting the boom connector pieces in place today.  THIS is where I wish I knew how to 3D print.  If only for the uniformity alone, it would be fantastic! Boy, do I miss Shapeways! Used to be able to get all sorts of tiny intricate parts made to order.  But making 20-30 of the same piece just builds character!!!

Well you my friend have a ton of character. Unbelievable build, just fantastic.

Ron G 

[BK9300]

Tremendous fabrication, Tom - it’s astonishing how quickly the total number of individual parts can add up in a project like this.  It takes a lot of concentration and planning to, first, identify all the parts that need to be created or sourced; second make them; finally, get them all assembled in the right order.  Wonderful work!

[redneckrigger]

On 9/8/2025 at 1:00 PM, BK9300 said:

Tremendous fabrication, Tom - it’s astonishing how quickly the total number of individual parts can add up in a project like this.  It takes a lot of concentration and planning to, first, identify all the parts that need to be created or sourced; second make them; finally, get them all assembled in the right order.  Wonderful work!

Thank you, but my work pales to your attention to replication and details on your builds.  Holy COW!  Started the end boom section which is doubly interesting as it tapers both vertically and horizontally as you can see in the photos.  Made up the cable deflector rollers for the two 20’ boom sections. Started putting the crossbrace lattice work in the boom. Still have to do some more research on the construction of the head end of the last boom section.  Also found another oversight that had to be corrected……the end of the carrier chassis had to have 6” more taper put into it.  Missed it somewhere along the way! Like it was, if it were the real crane, the base boom would not be able to lower to touch the ground to assemble the rest of the boom to it. All better now!

Edited September 9 by redneckrigger

[Biggu]

This is crazy GOOD. 

[Gary Chastain]

Tom, your skills are outstanding, I have been watching you build this, just wat too cool. 

[redneckrigger]

Finished adding the main latticework for the top section of boom. Still need to add the headgear with the sheaves, sheave housing, pendant supports and pendants, links, turnbuckles, swivels, folding gear and innumerable tiny teeny parts to the boom assembly, but at least I have 100 feet of boom built.  I simply cannot imagine what this would look like with the 210 feet of boom and 30 feet of jib so I am happy with the 100 feet in my original plan. But, if I ever find myself with nothing better to do, I can always make more sections as I’ve had plenty of practice making them! I am trying to keep this authentic and not to fall to the temptation of artistic license with the details.   Every night when I get done, I review the operators, parts and maintenance manuals and all of the photos I have amassed to see what is needed for the next step. 

[Straightliner59]

That boom is a magnificent work of art. It's absolutely beautiful.

[redneckrigger]

Finally seeing the size of 100’ of boom…..!

[lvfd221]

Your work is great. Really like watching this thing come together. 

I sent you a PM

[Rockford]

So that's 4ft of boom to accommodate wherever you display this behemoth! That's going to take some space! I appreciate your dedication to this build, it's remarkable! 

[BK9300]

4 hours ago, redneckrigger said:

Finally seeing the size of 100’ of boom…..!

 

 

 

 

Pretty darn impressive, Tom - even more so, once attached to the rest of your model!

[redneckrigger]

3 hours ago, Rockford said:

So that's 4ft of boom to accommodate wherever you display this behemoth! That's going to take some space! I appreciate your dedication to this build, it's remarkable! 

 

3 hours ago, BK9300 said:

Pretty darn impressive, Tom - even more so, once attached to the rest of your model!

All just one more reason, besides keeping my sanity, for choosing not to replicate the real one with 240’ feet of boom! I simply cannot imagine having a boom that is 9’ 7” long, 240’ in scale! One of the logistical issues will definitely be how to move it if I take it to a show. There are so many cables etc. that will be involved in setting it up, it actually will be like setting up the real one, many hours of effort.  Of course, I have to finish it first before I worry about showing it! I will cross that bridge when I get there! I may just have to make the boom assembly be self standing with all cables and pendants attached, then attach it to the crane and fasten the cable ends to the drums etc.  Gonna be just one more challenge!

[redneckrigger]

Here is the final section of boom with the start of the headgear installed. The five sheaves and the housing around them has been added as well as the two attachment points for the boom pendants. This was just simple making shapes and fabrication work, much like working with the real deal, only in 1/25 scale plastic. Still have a lot more to go just on the head gear, probably about 75 tiny pieces to make.  More to come…..!

[Straightliner59]

And, the beat goes on... Excellent work.

[Biggu]

This is a great tutorial on these booms. As a layman, they look a bit flimsy, but lift massive weights and an incredible amount of small pieces that are never seen but are essential to the operation. This is extremely interesting build and a great learning tool for those of us who know little about them. The quality of the build work is stunningly accurate and precise as well, a joy to watch. I’m really enjoying this one , Tom .

[redneckrigger]

30 minutes ago, Biggu said:

This is a great tutorial on these booms. As a layman, they look a bit flimsy, but lift massive weights and an incredible amount of small pieces that are never seen but are essential to the operation. This is extremely interesting build and a great learning tool for those of us who know little about them. The quality of the build work is stunningly accurate and precise as well, a joy to watch. I’m really enjoying this one , Tom .

Amazingly, these little flimsy styrene boom sections are incredibly stiff once fully constructed with all of the lattice work installed. That’s the beauty of a lattice crane, light weight booms that have superb lifting ability.  

[Biggu]

12 minutes ago, redneckrigger said:

Amazingly, these little flimsy styrene boom sections are incredibly stiff once fully constructed with all of the lattice work installed. That’s the beauty of a lattice crane, light weight booms that have superb lifting ability.  

I guess that’s mathematics and engineering at their finest. It’s just amazing …. I love this build , Tom. 

[redneckrigger]

7 hours ago, Biggu said:

I guess that’s mathematics and engineering at their finest. It’s just amazing …. I love this build , Tom. 

One of the 20’ sections complete, weighs 0.3 ounces.  And just for hoots and whistles, when I was figuring out how to build these, I made a prototype and tested its ability to take a vertical as well as a torsional deflection. It took over twelve pounds of force to bring it to failure. Anything less and it finally deflected but went back to shape when released. It broke at just over 12 in the vertical direction. The geometry, engineering and physics involved in the design carries right over to this mini version in styrene. One reason the lattice cranes are still used is even though they take time to set up as opposed to a hydraulic boom crane, which is very quick, lattice cranes can often allow a physically smaller, physically lighter unit to accomplish a similar task. Hydraulic booms of lengths similar to a lattice boom are HEAVY. Lattice booms are also very often the choice for extreme heavy lifts due to many of these factors, though the hydraulic cranes are also available in mind blowing capacities as well. And if it’s a task that is going to take a while without breaking it down to move it, lattice can excel. Lattice cranes can also take shock loads better as encountered in dragline or wrecking ball work. The hydraulic boom cranes have very heavy booms, especially as their capacity increases. That is one reason I chose this monster to build…..not only has it challenged the daylights out of me, but I already built a hydraulic crane.  Gotta keep trying something new!

Edited September 11 by redneckrigger

[Biggu]

That is fantastic information and amazing math and physics. I had no idea. And 12 pounds before a failure is mind blowing.  Thanks for that information. I have a whole new respect and admiration for these units now.  Just amazing

[redneckrigger]

Finished up the rest of the head gear support housing tonight with a bunch of flat pieces cut to fit to replicate the photos and measurements I have of the real one. Now have to add the rest of the lattice bracing, make the sheave guards, the jib boom mounting brackets, and the boom folding tires and their support.  The tires are used if it is decided to fold the boom. The boom is lowered to the ground. The tires are attached to the end of the head gear and the folding point on the boom is opened.  Then the boom is lifted and the boom folds as the tires roll toward the carrier as it folds. When the front section reaches vertical, it is moved past center toward the carrier and the boom is lowered as the tires continue to roll toward the carrier as the boom folds. When completely folded the upper boom is attached to links that support it off the lower boom and then the boom is raised enough to clear the road and the carrier can then travel with the boom folded.  Hope my description can be understood. Had to find two small skinny tires so off to the parts boxes.  In a former life I built cars. I used to also buy bunches of built stuff to take apart for parts. So I had a small bunch of tires to look through, (see the photo)!  Unbelievably, when I took the lid off, sitting right there next to each other there were two of the exact size I needed. Should have gone right out and bought a lottery ticket!  Amazing! Then I had to sort through a bunch of wheels to find the right ones.  Only took me about an hour to find what I needed! The fun continues!  My retirement has been good for this project!

[redneckrigger]

Added the brass sheave guards before turning in for the night.  These are to protect the sheaves when the boom is laid flat on the ground when assembling it. One of only a very few pieces on this crane that is not styrene or resin. 

Edited September 12 by redneckrigger

[Biggu]

This operational stuff is just awesome and helps this layman like me understand even more the complexities of your build. I am glad for that information as I was wondering if, for the extra boom extensions would a low bed tractor trailer be in the mix. Now , ……….“ I know the rest of the story “   Thanks Tom

Edited September 12 by Biggu