Gradall started producing its well-known excavator during the 1940's, during a time in which the second World War had created a scarcity of workers. This decrease in the labor force brought a huge need for the delicate work of finishing and grading highway projects.
A Cleveland, Ohio construction company referred to as Ferwerda-Werba-Ferwerda experienced this particular problem first hand. Two brothers, Koop and Ray Ferwerda had moved to the United States from the Netherlands. They were partners in the firm which had become one of the major highway contractors within the state of Ohio. The Ferwerdas' set out to build an equipment that will save their company and their livelihoods by making a model which would perform what had before been physical slope work. This invention was to offset the gap left in the worksite when so many men had joined the military.
The first device these brothers invented had 2 beams set on a rotating platform and was fixed directly onto the top of a truck. They utilized a telescopic cylinder to be able to move the beams out and in. This allowed the attached blade at the end of the beams to pull or push dirt.
After a short time, the Ferwerda brothers improved on their initial design. They created a triangular boom to produce more strength. Next, they added a tilt cylinder which allowed the boom to turn 45 degrees in either direction. This new model can be outfitted with either a blade or a bucket and the attachment movement was made possible by placing a cylinder at the rear of the boom. This design powered a long push rod and allowed a lot of work to be completed.
Not a long time after, many digging buckets became available on the market. These buckets came in 15 inch, 24 inch, 36 inch and 60 inch sizes. There was also a 47 inch heavy-duty pavement removal bucket that was available as well.