Two Grove rough terrains for Tri-County Construction

Tri-County Construction, based in Iowa, has extended its fleet with a 120t capacity Grove GRT8120 and a 165t capacity Grove GRT9165.

"The reliability of these cranes was expected; I have operated Grove cranes since I was 19 but the new GRTs are also probably the most versatile cranes we've ever had," said Tri-County's crane operation supervisor Rod Ashman.

"Aside from capital jobs, these cranes are generally being used on maintenance tasks, such as changing out gearboxes, conveyors and roof fans. Sometimes we'll require every pound of capacity and inch of available boom, and then the very next job might just be hoisting a 2,000 lbs motor onto a 30-feet-high (9m) balcony at a 20 ft (m) radius. We can go from main boom picks of 50,000 lbs (22t) to erecting the jib and fly for a tip height of 275 ft (83m) in a manner of minutes. The GRTs just take it all in stride."

As the strongest model in the range, the three-axle GRT9165 was acquired to enable the hoisting of heavier loads at a greater radius – a key consideration when Tri-County operators expect to be called upon to lift a loaded rail car that could weigh up to 125,000 lbs (56t).

"This is the sort of reliable performance we depend on to ensure we fulfill our contract with a large agricultural client and continue our good working relationship with them," Ashman said.

"Aside from the bigger reach and capacities, the key advantage of the Grove bid over the other companies we'd considered was the five-year bumper-to-bumper warranty, plus a very attractive offer from Aspen to do all of our maintenance.”