In this paper, a new model formulation for the dynamic multi-level capacitated lotsizing problem with linked lotsizes is introduced. Linked lotsizes means that the model formulation correctly accounts for setup carryovers between adjacent periods if production of a product is continued in the next period. This model formulation is a good compromise between the big-bucket and small-bucket model formulation in that it inherits the stability of a big-bucket model and at least partially includes the precise description of setup operations provided by a small-bucket model. A Lagrangean heuristic is developed and tested in a numerical experiment with a set of invented data and a data set taken from industry. The solutions found show a good quality.