1962 Grove RT-58 Still Going Strong For Detroit Crane Company

    Posted On: October 12, 2018

    The JJ Curran Crane Company has been using this Grove RT-58 since 1962, and the machine shows no signs of slowing down. (Photo courtesy of Manitowoc.)

    Manitowoc, a global lifting equipment manufacturer that builds cranes under the Grove, Potain, National, and Manitowoc brands, recently published a story about Detroit, Michigan-based JJ Curran Crane Company. The company is still using a Grove RT-58 that it purchased in 1962, and it’s still a staple of the company’s day-to-day operations.

    What Reliability Looks Like

    When John “JJ” Curran started his crane company, the first machine he purchased to launch the enterprise was the Grove RT-58, a mobile hydraulic crane that has proven to be as reliable as it is versatile in the ensuing six decades. Jeff Curran, the company’s current co-owner and CFO, estimates that the Grove RT-58 has lifted its share on more than 300 jobs in the past seven years. According to Curran, “The crane is very mobile and can fit into tight spaces, and it’s great for pick-and-carry operations. It is still generating revenue for us almost 60 years later!”

    The Grove RT-58 may not be able to keep pace with the latest mobile cranes from Grove, but it has not outlived its usefulness. To say that this dynamic little machine has paid for itself several times over would be an understatement. JJ Curran Crane Company still deploys the RT-58 in a variety of space-constrained lifting tasks, such as moving materials around steel mills, refineries, and cement plants. The crane is also adept at hauling boats, toting around jobsite materials, and performing other outdoor lifting operations.

    Grove Loyal

    The aging Grove RT-58 is more than just a plucky piece of equipment, it has also been an enduring reminder of the manufacturer’s commitment to lasting quality. As a result, JJ Curran Crane Company has purchased more than 80 Grove machines since 1962, and the company’s current fleet boasts several modern Grove cranes.

    You’ll find an abundant selection of new and used Grove cranes for sale on CraneTrader.com, including many used Grove RT-58 cranes.

    Source: Manitowoc

    Questions? Comments? Visit our forums to ask questions, get answers, and share your thoughts.

      Blog Archive
    Economic Uncertainty Extending Sales Cycles in Used Heavy Equipment Market
    Posted 9/4/2026
    New Sandhills Global market reports show continued inventory decreases for used heavy-duty construction equipment on MachineryTrader.com and other Sandhills platforms. ...
    Read the full blog post
    Inventory Management Lets You Enter Data Once, Sync Everywhere
    Posted 8/27/2026
    Inventory Management is your single point of data entry for every machine, truck, aircraft, RV, trailer, heifer, bass boat—everything you’d like to sell on a Sandhills Global platform. ...
    Read the full blog post
    UCC Search Lets You Look Up Lien Records Before You Buy
    Posted 8/26/2026
    UCC Search makes it simple to look up Uniform Commercial Code filings for a business or person before you buy from them. ...
    Read the full blog post
    What's New At Sandhills Global
    Posted 8/26/2026
    Learn about the latest Sandhills features, including the new inventory Quick Add tool, a 120-day no-payment financing offer from Currency, and more. ...
    Read the full blog post
    Heavy-Duty Trucks Racking Up More Mileage While Used Truck Inventory Levels Continue to Fall
    Posted 8/10/2026
    Inventory levels of used day cab and sleeper trucks continued to decline in July, with overall used heavy-duty truck inventory 36% lower than last year. ...
    Read the full blog post
    What's New At Sandhills Global
    Posted 7/17/2026
    Find out about the latest Sandhills news, including AI to write your asset descriptions, the new UCC Search app, a new e-commerce solution, and more. ...
    Read the full blog post
    Sandhills Market Reports Show Continued Inventory Declines Across Used Equipment and Truck Markets
    Posted 7/6/2026
    New Sandhills Global market reports show ongoing inventory declines across several key used equipment and truck markets in June. ...
    Read the full blog post
    What's New At Sandhills Global
    Posted 6/4/2026
    Find out about the latest Sandhills features and news, including the new Bloomberg/Sandhills dealer survey, the new parts hub, Hot Lists, and more. ...
    Read the full blog post
    Used Construction Equipment Rentals Remain Strong as Sales Cool
    Posted 6/4/2026
    Used construction equipment inventory levels continued to decline in May, led by crawler excavators and wheel loaders, according to the latest Sandhills Global market reports. ...
    Read the full blog post
    Cross-Promote Your Trucks & Trailers With One Listing In Multiple Markets
    Posted 6/2/2026
    One of the greatest advantages of advertising with Sandhills Global is that you only need to enter inventory once to open up cross-marketing possibilities on multiple sales platforms simultaneously. ...
    Read the full blog post