The AMARC cutting crane being relocated to carry out another series of
C-141 Starlifter cuts. The 80 foot boom can be seen in the fully elevated position with the 13,500lb guillitine blade dangling only a foot or two off
of the ground.

Picture © 2003 Philip Michaels

 We thought a page detailing the cutting crane was warranted as it has such a high profile role at AMARC. A few years ago it had the task of slicing up the B-52 Stratofortresses, more recently it has been cutting up the C-141 Starlifters before external contractors could truck the remains to their processing locations.

The crane is a 1992 Link-Belt model LS-138H, USAF registration 92D661, serial no. B5K-13-0156. It weighs in at 75 tons and is powered by a Isuzu 6SA1T engine. Top speed is approx 2mph, although it is rumoured that it can actually reach 2.5mph 'downhill with a tailwind'.

This type of crane is capable of controlling a boom of some 180 feet, the AMARC crane is currently fitted with a boom of half that length.

Below are some links to photographs showing the effective work that this crane carries.

Picture Gallery
   Row of cut C-141B Starlifters
   C-141B fuselage cut closeup
   61-2777 NC-141A Starlifter
   66-0200 C-141B Starlifter