CherryT Ball Drop!

Another year in the books, and another successfull CherryT Ball Drop! The non-profit organization holds the Times Square-esque New Year's Eve event each year in downtown Traverse City.

If you've ever attended the event, surely you've seen our Team Elmer's crane suspending the brightly lit cherry 115 feet in the air! As the countdown nears closer to midnight, the cherry draws closer to the stage, changing to read '2016' as midnight hits and an exciting fireworks display begins behind it!

2015 CherryT Ball Drop

A suggested donation of $3 or 3 non-perishable food items from those who attend are donated to food pantries and other designated charities.

Roughly 8,000 people braved the brisk December weather to ring in the new year, supporting a great cause in the process!

Stream Relocation on McKeese Road

Looking back into 2015, Team Elmer's crews performed work on McKeese Rd, just north of Suttons Bay, Michigan. The team assembled and installed an extremely large culvert, spanning 19'10" by 12'1" (our largest to date!), as well as resurfacing 3600 linear feet of existing asphalt.

A temporary rip-rap bypass stream was installed to allow work in the existing culvert area.The culvert replacemet required the installation of sheet piling, as well as five (5) electric pumps running 24 hours a day to dewater the new culvert area. Once dewatering was complete, a stone bed was installed to place the new culvert. 

Aside from the new culvert, the team installed storm sewer and retention ponds for the newly revitalized roadway, in an effort to control storm water on the steep hill. To top it off, we installed two (2) courses of fresh asphalt for a nice, smooth riding roadway!

Team Elmer's Update - Episode 12: McKeese Road

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Celebrating 60 Years!

This year, 2016, marks our 60th anniversary of business! Originally founded in 1956 by Elmer Schaub and his wife, Edna, Elmer's Crane and Dozer started small with a single dragline crane and D-4 CAT dozer. 

In 1977, Butch Broad purchased the company, which then included 7 employees, 4 tandems, 1 loader, 3 dozers, 2 cranes, and 1 lowboy. 

In fact, loaders proved to be very valuable when the blizzard of '78 and the blizzard of '82 rolled through the area. During the blizzard of '78, the loader ran for over a week straight (24 hours a day) before being forced to shut down briefly for an oil change, and then quickly resuming work clearing the heavy snowfall. The blizzard of '82 brought a snow blower and much needed assistance pushing back tall banks along the roadside.

Nearly 40 years later, Team Elmer's employs roughly 450 employees across the state of Michigan, operating hundreds of various pieces of equipment! Yet, the most rewarding aspect of our 60 year journey continues to be the positive impact we are able to have on our communities. Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to the next 60 years of service!