If you asked a general contractor or a nature conservationist living in or near the Hyde Park neighborhood of south Boston who James G. Grant Company is, you’d probably get different answers … but their responses would most likely be very positive ones.
James G. Grant Co. is a full-service demolition and debris management company located on a 7-acre site in the Readville section of Boston. Established in 1956, the company serves residential, commercial, and industrial customers throughout New England. This family owned and operated business has built a solid reputation for quality service, fair pricing, and personalized customer service. Its president, Ronnie Nunes, is a third-generation member of the Grant family.
“We’ve been at this location for more than 50 years,” Nunes says, “and employ 30 people, many of whom have 10 or more years of service to the company. We do a little bit of everything … from demolition work to trucking, excavation projects, construction debris hauling to scrap metal processing and more. Our certified transfer station is set up to accept a wide range of materials, including ferrous and non-ferrous metals; asphalt, brick, and concrete debris; and landscaping and yard waste. We serve construction professionals right down to homeowners, and even rent roll-off debris containers that we’ll haul back here when the job is done.”
ECO-FRIENDLY MINDSET
The company also has an eco-responsible side. “The eastern edge of our property is bordered by the Neponset River, which works its way north, eventually dumping into Dorchester Bay,” Nunes explains. “The river has gotten pretty polluted over the years, and we decided to do something about it.”
That “something” was to work with the Neponset Watershed Association, Neponset Greenways Council, and local business leaders to clean the river. As a result, they organized an annual Neponset River Cleanup Day, with six teams of volunteers scouring the river for trash. The first event reclaimed thousands of items, including shopping carts, bikes, tires, appliances, computers, and even a few motorcycles. Even more trash was collected in the second year, and the third Neponset River Clean-up Day will be held in August.
“Our goal is to turn the river back into a more scenic, navigable, and wildlife-friendly place that families can enjoy,” Nunes says.
NEW WAY OF DOING THINGS
That same sense of care and commitment is evidenced in the way James G. Grant runs its business. “We’re always looking for ways to improve our business and be more effective at serving customers,” Nunes says. “So when it came time to look for a replacement material handler for our transfer station we were open to new ideas.”
Brett Pomerleau, Grant’s local sales rep from Link-Belt equipment dealer Chadwick-BaRoss, had the answer: a low-hour, “nearly-new” Link-Belt 360 X2 RT Material Handler. James G. Grant Co. already had several Link-Belt material handlers in their fleet, including a 240 X2 MH and a 350 X3 that were primarily used for demolition projects. The point of difference, however, was tracks versus wheels.
Eric Maher, a machine operator at Grant, was a bit apprehensive when he approached the new machine for the first time. “I had 8 years of experience with tracked machines, including other Link-Belts and Cats, but I hadn’t operated a wheeled excavator before. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.”
“But once I got in it,” he continues, “I found out just how easy and simple it was to operate. All of the primary controls are right there on the joysticks … including the outriggers. We’ve got a large yard, so I appreciated how easy it was to set up and work in one area, then pick up and move quickly to another.”
Maher’s also a big fan of the hydraulic cab riser feature on the 360 X2 RT. “The extended cab is great because it gives me a clear view of my work area, as well as letting me see into loading destinations, such as truck beds, containers, or hoppers,” he says.
LINK-BELT MATERIAL HANDLER
“And the more hours Eric spends moving material, the more money we make,” Nunes adds. “The 360 X2 RT fits our operation well,” he continues, “and with its 56 foot reach, it’s a good match for our loading requirements. After 4 months of daily use in the yard, we’ve been very pleased with the machine … and very impressed with its fuel economy. At $4 or so a gallon for diesel, that makes a big difference.”
The machine is equipped with a Bateman combination grapple/magnet attachment. “The Mag-Grab is a great tool,” Nunes comments. “The magnet alone is strong enough to pick up most scrap bales we handle … and they can weigh as much as 1,000 or 1,200 pounds.”
“But as good as the magnet is,” he continues, “sometimes you need a little more help. If the bale’s a little heavy to start with, or if there’s loose material to deal with, the grapple takes care of it.”
“The 360 X2 RT has been a very productive machine for us,” he adds. “It’s smooth and powerful. We’re able to load trailers faster than ever before, which frees us up to get more work done overall.”
“All that aside, we have another reason to prefer Link-Belt,” Nunes grins. “Red just happens to be our company color.” ■
For more Information TMore information on James G. Grant Co. can be found at www.jamesggrantco.com. For more information about the Link-Belt 360 X2 RT Material Handler, visit www.lbxco.com.
Modern Contractor Solutions, August 2014
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