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Lewis Grundon, founder of the Little Giant Crane & Shovel Co., came by his interest in excavators
honestly. He represented the third generation of the remarkable Grundon family – a family long
involved in the excavating business. What makes this family even more remarkable was their
confidence that they could build a better excavator. Cranes and crane technology were inbred in
the blood of Lewis Grundon. At the turn of the century his grandfather had built and operated a
steam powered ditching dredge incorporating a wooden boom and log chains, instead of cables. His
father built and operated a gas powered machine that utilized wood for clutch surfaces and channel
iron for the boom. His uncle, Fred Grundon, also built excavators and eventually started the Sargent
Crane Co. of Ft. Dodge, IA.
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As a teenager, Lewis was the greaser and the helper for his father. As he grew older he became a
crane and shovel operator and had his own business. Lewis began formulating his own ideas on how
to improve the machines available at the time. The most revolutionary of many ideas, centered on
the rotating surfaces of the crane. Why couldn’t a simple ball bearing be substituted for the bulky,
troublesome hook, roller, and center pin assembly that required frequent adjustment and maintenance?
Not satisfied with existing equipment, Lewis undertook to redesign the turntable on some of his
excavators replacing it with a ball bearing turntable. He was so successful that other users of
excavators became interested. In 1946, he, with the aid of his wife, Marie, and a helper, built a
complete machine which he intended for his own use. It was successful and was soon sold, as were
the second and third machines. Thus was born Little Giant Crane & Shovel Co. of Des Moines, IA.
Lewis patented his ball bearing turntable that same year.
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The Little Giant machine eventually found its biggest market with the railroad companies. The
little machines, perfect for working from a flat car, were subsequently fitted with hi-railer
kits and put to work right on the rails. Maintenance-of-way work is the machine’s forte. After
the patent on the turntable expired, other companies such as Avon and Rotek began manufacturing
the turntable for other machines.
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When John Lewis Grundon died in 1971 his wife, Marie assumed the presidency. The company was sold
to Avis Industrial Corporation located in Upland, Indiana in 1996. Little Giant currently boasts
a product line of over 14 models, most of which can also be rail mounted.
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