The 218 HSL and 218|V share a jobsite on southern Illinois’ interstate expansion — and the operators explain what separates them
Two generations of Link-Belt’s 110-ton lattice crawler are working side by side for E.T. Simonds Construction on the I-57 expansion in southern Illinois, driving pile in cofferdam abutments and setting cages and rebar forms.
Two structures and a six-lane corridor
E.T. Simonds Construction Company is delivering part of the nearly $325m I-57 expansion in southern Illinois. The work includes replacing structures over Marcum Branch and Gun Creek at Whittington, Illinois, and widening the interstate corridor to six lanes.
Two 110-ton Link-Belt lattice crawlers are carrying the load: a 218 HSL and a 218|V. Supervisor and foreman Ronnie Coy said the machines are handling a broad spread of tasks, from driving pile in cofferdam abutments through to setting cages and rebar forms.
“For what we do, these cranes offer excellent capacities. We move them around quite a bit and transport each model in only four loads.”
— Ronnie Coy, supervisor and foreman, E.T. Simonds Construction
Four loads per machine is a meaningful number on a linear highway job where the cranes are relocated repeatedly along the corridor rather than parked on one structure for the duration.
What the 218|V added
The 218 HSL debuted in 2005 and the 218|V arrived in 2023, carrying over much of the proven design while updating the operator interface, machine capability and self-assembly.
The most visible change is a 12in HSL-2 touchscreen, which displays live ground bearing pressures alongside lifting data and offers diagnostics and simplified navigation. Live ground bearing pressure is a genuinely useful readout on bridge work, where crawlers frequently sit on temporary platforms and mats over disturbed ground.
The 218|V also gained standard power pack lugs, allowing a custom-designed power pack frame to be mounted on the rear of the upper’s frame. Link-Belt product support and engineering assist with the frame design so the crane stays within its rated capacities — relevant for contractors running vibratory hammers and other attachments that need their own hydraulic supply.
Carried-over controls the operators kept
One feature that survived unchanged from the HSL is the pair of drum speed and swing speed dial controls beside the operator’s seat, which let the operator fine-tune hydraulic pump flow to individual functions. Operator Frank Molt said both machines deliver smooth swing and precise drum control, and are straightforward during self-assembly and disassembly.
“Any time you can get in a Link Belt, it’s a good thing. As far as being in the operator’s seat, they’re what I like.”
— Frank Molt, crane operator
“Link-Belt really serves the operator. They think about what a crane will be like on the job, not just selling cranes.”
— Frank Molt, crane operator
Source: Link-Belt — Photos: Link-Belt
Cranes
- Models: Link-Belt 218 HSL and 218|V lattice crawlers
- Capacity: 110 US tons each
- Transport: Four loads per machine
- 218 HSL introduced: 2005
- 218|V introduced: 2023
- Display: 12in HSL-2 touchscreen with live ground bearing pressure
Project
- Contractor: E.T. Simonds Construction Company
- Project: I-57 expansion, southern Illinois
- Value: Nearly $325m
- Structures: Marcum Branch and Gun Creek, Whittington, Illinois
- Tasks: Pile driving in cofferdam abutments, setting cages and rebar forms