Link-Belt 120|RT keeps zinc recycling plant lifting in North Carolina

Befesa Zinc Metal runs one of the only zinc recycling operations in the United States at its Mooresboro, North Carolina plant, chemically converting steel ore dust into zinc ingots for plating and further chemical treatment. The greenfield facility, in operation since 2012, relies on a single, highly versatile machine for its general maintenance and operational lifts: a 120 US ton Link-Belt 120|RT rough terrain crane on long-term rental from Link-Belt distributor Atlantic & Southern.

Picking at radius over tanks and ductwork

According to Befesa maintenance manager and crane operator Jesse Hardin, the crane earns its keep through its ability to pick at long radius, reaching over the plant’s installed process equipment rather than working close in.

“The majority of our lifts are within an 80–100-foot radius because we’re lifting over existing tanks and ductwork.”

— Jesse Hardin, maintenance manager, Befesa Zinc Metal

The 120|RT carries a six-section 11.6 m to 50 m (38.3 ft to 164.1 ft) pin-and-latch formed boom built at Link-Belt’s Lexington, Kentucky factory. Loads at the plant vary daily, from 48,000 lb tanks down to 2,500 lb gravel bags handled at extended radius.

SmartFly extends the reach

For the longest picks the crew turns to Link-Belt’s SmartFly, a two-piece 10.7 m to 17.7 m (35 ft to 58 ft) on-board fly jib offsetable at 0, 15, 30 and 45 degrees. One-person erection technology keeps rigging work at ground level, with ground controls for the fly assist and boom hoist cylinders, and two optional 4.9 m (16 ft) lattice inserts take maximum tip height to 79.8 m (261.7 ft).

The machine has now passed 2,000 operating hours on site, and it is not the first to do so.

“This is the second 120|RT we’ve put over 2,000 hours on as a long-term rental from Atlantic & Southern. We like to keep it busy, and it keeps us working.”

— Jesse Hardin, maintenance manager, Befesa Zinc Metal