Euclid Trucks

The Euclid Crane and Hoist Co., formed in 1909 and owned by George A. Armington and his five sons, had become a large, respected and profitable operation by the early 1920s.

[3] In 1953, the Euclid Corporation was purchased by General Motors, in what the leaders of both companies saw as an advantageous deal, given their complementary product lines.

The youngest son Ray, the last Armington, retired in 1960 after seven years as General Manager of GM's Euclid Division.

In 1951, the company produced the industry's first 50-ton, three-axle dump truck, with twin-engined Cummins power.

During that period, Euclid produced two- and three-axle dump trucks with capacities up to 105 tons.

It charged that GM was too dominant, and its business methods stifled competition in the off-road hauler and earthmoving market.

GM fought the suit for eight years, finally surrendering in 1968 and agreeing to sell its Euclid Division.

GM equipment dealers in the US were offered a franchise deal from White to sell the White/Euclid line of trucks for a period of four years.

GM produced haul trucks in the 1968-1972 period that it had developed during its ownership of Euclid, using plants in Canada and Scotland that it had been allowed to keep.

The Euclid Company lost its prominence after the sale to White, and never achieved the standing that it enjoyed before the GM acquisition.

The trucks were are equipped with mufflers and computer controllers to meet environmental requirements for sound and exhaust emissions.

There are some trucks currently in use in mines in the US, and they can be seen in Canada at Fort McMurray, and throughout China, Australia, Africa, Indonesia and South America as well.

They are smaller trucks using older technology, and were previously manufactured in Poland under license from VME (Volvo Michigan Euclid).

In December 1993, VME North America entered into a joint venture of its own with Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd., called Euclid-Hitachi Heavy Equipment.

Hitachi, a manufacturer of hydraulic construction machinery such as excavators and cranes, gradually increased its share of the joint venture until it owned 100% of the organization by 2000.

Ranging from 10 to 62 ton capacity, the giants roamed strip mines, heavy construction sites and quarries worldwide.

This combined an off-road tractor (with a fifth wheel) and a very large, up to 100-ton capacity, belly dump trailer.