Gradall began producing its famous excavator during the 1940's, during a time in which WWII had caused a shortage of workers. This decrease in the labor force brought a huge demand for the delicate work of finishing and grading highway projects.
A Cleveland, Ohio construction company known as Ferwerda-Werba-Ferwerda experienced this specific dilemma first hand. Two brothers, Koop and Ray Ferwerda had relocated to the United States from the Netherlands. They were partners in the business which had become among the major highway contractors in Ohio. The Ferwerdas' started to make an equipment which would save their livelihoods and their company by inventing a model which will carry out what had previously been physical slope work. This invention was to offset the gap left in the worksite when so many men had joined the army.
The brothers first invented an apparatus that had 2 beams set on a rotating platform, which was attached on top of a used truck. They used a telescopic cylinder to move the beams out and in. This enabled the fixed blade at the end of the beams to push or pull dirt.
The Ferwerda brothers improved on their first design by creating a triangular boom to produce more power. Next, they added a tilt cylinder that enabled the boom to turn 45 degrees in either direction. This new unit can be outfitted with either a bucket or a blade 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 much work to be done.
Many digging buckets were introduced to the market not long after. These buckets in sizes ranging from 15 inch, 24 inch, 36 inch and 60 inch buckets. There was additionally a 47 inch heavy-duty pavement removal bucket which was offered as well.