Customer Reviews

Euclid and Terex: Earth-Moving Machines

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've thoroughly enjoyed reading Orlemann's book. As both a user and a fan of "green iron", I'm glad someone went through all the work to research the subject. Although it reads a bit on the dry side, the detailed technical data is appreciated. The most pressing questions I had, such as what happened to the Terex line and why, are sufficiently addressed by Orlemann. He also covers the transformation of Euclid from a family owned and operated company to GM's heavy equipment division. To top it all off, there is a chapter on prototypes that never made it to production, including 92 series trackloaders and an 82-30C.

This book does a very fine job of chronicling the history of Euc and Terex from the start of the companies to the last round of buyouts and mergers. Although it doesn't do a complete job bringing the equipment into present day, it had to stop somewhere. It does however mention the present day incarnations of these machines.

Any fan of the "Green Weenies" will love all the data presented here. There is a complete description of the Euclid numbering system. Pictures of experimental models that will make you wonder "What were they thinking?" Some of the old pictures that have been found in the Euc archives probably didn't reproduce the color as well as one would have hoped. However they are pictures of machines that you will probably never see again. Well worth the effort to produce what was done. Newer color pictures are of the high standard that one would expect from this author.

I have used this book as reference guide so many times that it has become indespensible.

Another fine job by Eric C Orlemann

I found this book to be quite informative from the beginnings of Euclid to the present day Terex.With a heavy emphasis on such machines as the 82-80 Super Dozer,the famous Titan as well as a definitive account of the entire scraper line,this book was easy reading for any earthmoving enthusiast.The book did tend to bog down a little with product id numbers I also wish it would have explored the competitions role of how euclid evolved into a major player on the heavy equipment marketplace. The pictures were as good as it gets with many action shots as well as great factory pics. As someone who owns mostly caterpillar equipment but no Terex,I still found this book to be very concise and most facinating.I highly recomend this book for anyone with interest in this subject matter.

It is sad that Terex and Euclid are no longer part of GM, much due thanks to the government at the time, and also GM's lack of interest later on.
This book goes into the History of Euclid and then TEREX. the origins behind the name Terex, Featuring B&W and Color pics, some interesting history, Featuring the Mighty TEREX TITAN(not to be confused with Chevy Titan) and much more on "The Green Machine". Highly recommend for any GM/TEREX/EUCLID Fan like me or Heavy Equipment fan like myself.Very Good Book,Hopefully someone will author another one.

The book covered what it did very well. It mainly concentrated on bulldozers and scrapers and left mining trucks somewhat glossed over. The book mainly concentrated on post WW II equipment. I was hoping to see some more history on the pre-war 15 and 20 ton trucks, and the post war 34 and 50 ton trucks.

Also the book seemed to short change the current Euclid mining truck line, which is very impressive and no. 3 in the industry, for the Terex modern equipment line.

Unfortunately, the color reproduction of the Euclid calendar pictures in the bood was very poor with a heavy red cast. Hope this improves in later editions of the book.

The book fills a need where no one else has been. I thank the author for his time and effort, it is appreciated.

As great as the GM Next website may be, it doesn't fully celebrate General Motors' advancements over the past century. Do you see any mention of transit coaches? How about two-stroke diesels? Anything about diesel-electric locomotives?

While most see today's conglomeration that is GM as little more than a car builder, forty years ago, it was so much more. It led the field in multiple industries - earthmovers being but one. Since others choose not to celebrate this oft-forgotten chapter of GM's history, I'd recommend - especially now, of all times - to pick up this book, even if used.

Orlemann may not be able to go as in-depth as some naysayers would like, but the fact is he's able to compact an expansive amount of history - a good forty or fifty years' worth, almost - into this book. Not only does it give you a good look at Euclid's beginnings, but it provides a substantial amount of information about its absorption into GM, and how the giant influenced its products (did you know that Chuck Jordan, a former vice president of design at GM, had his start with bulldozers?).

Some photos didn't reproduce as well as could be hoped, but there's still some great imagery here. I sympathize with the author's note about building the book; finding behind-the-scenes photographs from GM, let alone from a division all have seemingly forgotten, is a substantial task. Orlemann has succeeded, giving us a look at the wacky innovations that could have been.

This book was nearly $32 when brand new; I'm seeing it now sells used for nearly double that. Expensive, perhaps, but it's worth it, especially if you want to learn as much as possible about GM - or what it once was. Along with your books on Cadillac, Buick, Pontiac, GMC, Chevrolet and Oldsmobile, place this piece on your bookshelf. You'll be glad you did.