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From left to right: Bill Grubb, owner of W.O. Grubb Crane Rental, poses with Dean Spruill, regional operations manager; Doug Adkins, director of fleet operations; and Kris Becker, crane operator.
Longstanding Manitowoc customer W.O. Grubb Crane Rental welcomed a fresh Grove GMK6400-1 in December of 2023, promptly deploying the crane in high-profile assignments across Virginia. The 450-ton all-terrain crane has already played a pivotal role in endeavors such as the removal of lock gates at the Deep Creek Locks on the Intercoastal Waterway in Chesapeake.
“We were keen on embracing the newest technology and improved roadability without compromising on lifting performance,” said Bill Grubb, owner of W.O. Grubb. “This prompted us to upgrade from our reliable GMK6300L model to the GMK6400-1. With MegaWingLift and luffing capabilities, this marks our first investment in a brand new, large all-terrain crane tailored for the Portsmouth-Newport News market.”
Grove dealer MGX Equipment Services guided W.O. Grubb through the acquisition of its GMK6400-1.
“MGX and W. O. Grubb have had a successful partnership for several years,” said Bruce Austin, director of sales at MGX. “We are very excited that Grubb is adding the GMK6400-1 to their already impressive fleet. With the capabilities of this crane, I am confident that it will perform exceptionally well for them in the Mid-Atlantic region.”
The GMK6400-1 is presently slated for a significant project, involving the precise placement of two precast panelized builds at the James River Water Treatment Plant in Newport News. Additionally, W.O. Grubb's Newport News branch anticipates a furnace relocation project at the Howmet Casting Facility in March. This project will necessitate the use of the GMK6400-1, with the main boom and MegaWingLift, to lift an impressive 68,000 lbs through the facility's roof.
The GMK6400-1's self-erecting MegaWingLift negates the need for an auxiliary crane, streamlining operations and exerting a substantial influence on W.O. Grubb's procurement decision. The crane's impressive 450-US ton capacity, driven by a single engine, facilitates efficient transport with the boom in the boom rack as well.
As the sturdiest six-axle crane available in the market, the Grove GMK6400-1's self-rigging capabilities ensure rigging time remains under 20 minutes. Its versatility enables it to tackle tasks that traditionally necessitate a seven- or eight-axle model. The hydraulic system, optimized for faster flow, ensures swift operating speeds and seamless movements on the job site.
W.O. Grubb is a family-owned company with an extensive fleet; standing as a cornerstone in the crane rental industry of the Mid-Atlantic region since its establishment in 1962.
