46
SITE REPORT
LIFTING
ACT
OCTOBER 2013
For the most part, the bins are
assembled on the ground and then the
cranes lift the pieces into place for crews
to bolt together.
“Our National cranes are great for that
step, and the various sizes we have allow
us to fit different needs most effectively,”
Larry says. “National has a good
reputation for quality products, so when
we were looking for cranes, that’s where
I started. We bought a used one, and it
performed well. That sold us on buying
additional units.”
For larger jobs, the company purchased
two 110-ton Grove TMS9000E truck-
mounted cranes. The mobile units have a
maximum tip height of 235 feet, and the
company added a hydraulic luffing jib that
allows set-ups in tight areas. The company
also chose the full counterweight package,
which maxes out at 48,500 pounds.
“That size machine really fits our
markets well,” says Matthew. “Larger bins
mean heavier and higher picks, and the
TMS9000 gives us the lifting capacity
we need. The luffing jib will fold up to a
20-degree angle, giving us further reach.
That’s important in an area where we have
to keep a small footprint. We also like
that they have one cylinder that pushes
the boom out in stages. It gives us better
capacity than other systems we’ve seen.
The full counterweight package gives us
flexibility to add capacity as needed.”
Matthew says mobility was also a factor
in their crane-buying, decision-making
process.
“Both the National and Grove cranes
allow us to drive from project to project,
which saves time and is more efficient
than moving a larger crane in pieces and
taking hours or days to set it up,” he says.
“With these cranes, we can pull onto the
site and be ready to pick in minutes.”
The Unverfehrts worked with Kirby-
Smith Machinery’s St. Louis Branch
Manager Ray Jost on the purchase of both
the National and Grove products.
“Like us, Kirby-Smith understands the
importance of backing what they sell
with exceptional service,” says Larry.
“We’ve developed a great relationship with
Kirby-Smith, working with Ray Jost and
Dave Hoeft, before he retired. They’re
knowledgeable in what the cranes will do,
and Kirby-Smith service techs are well-
trained to handle anything we’ve needed.”
Gus and Irene couldn’t be prouder of the
company and their family. “Much of the
growth we’ve experienced is directly due
to Larry, Kevin and their families’ efforts
in seeing an opportunity and running
with it,” says Gus.
■
During assembly, Gus C. Unverfehrt Farm
Supply uses a National boom truck to lift
grain bin pieces into place.
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