Development began on what was to become the 82-40 in 1964 following numerous requests from contractors for a machine a little larger and heavier than the very popular 82-30. By Richard Campbell
The Euclid 82-40 was added to the range of Euclid track type tractors during 1966 and joined the already established 82-30 (introduced 1958) and TC-12/82-80 (introduced 1954).
As can be seen from the model number, the 82-40 fitted between the other two machines and was, in industry terms, a D8 sized tractor, weighing in, fully equipped, at around 35 tons.
More than just a scaled-up version of the smaller 82-30, the 82-40 had Euclid engineers breaking in quite a bit of new technology for the time in order to produce a workable and reliable product. Test machines went to the Milford, Michigan proving grounds in 1965 and, subsequently, prototypes were sent to selected contractors’ jobs where they could be monitored carefully under actual working conditions.
These trials all proved successful and very few changes were required before the type was put into quantity production.
First off the line was the 82-40AA followed by the 82-40BA (1967) and 82-40CA (1968).
The most numerous production model was the 82-40DA, which incorporated all of the upgrades and changes that had come about through experience with earlier versions of the tractor. During this period the name of the company was changed from Euclid to Terex.
While not as big a seller as the 82-30, the 82-40 was nonetheless a well-respected tractor and was particularly popular in logging and general earthmoving fleets where it gained a reputation as being particularly rugged.
In 1971 a turbocharged engine version was also added to the product range, and, as it turned out, this was to be the last production model of the 82-40, the type being discontinued completely when the newly developed 82-20, 82-30B and 82-50 were introduced in 1973.
Built at the Hudson, Ohio and Lanarkshire Scotland plants, total production of the 82-40 was approximately 1700 machines.
The 82-40 described
Detroit Diesel-Allison provided the heart of the 82-40 in the form of a GM 8V-71 naturally aspirated V8 diesel engine rated at a very conservative 275 flywheel horsepower. This in turn was connected to an Allison CRT6031, three-speed planetary powershift transmission, which gave the 82-40 a top speed in third range of 6.1 miles per hour.
Euclid built all of the rest of the drive train including the planetary final drives, steering clutches and brakes.
As per usual Euclid practice, the radiator was located at the rear of the machine and driven by an extension shaft and V-belts. This allowed an unobstructed mounting for the hydraulic controls and cylinder in the nose and kept the radiator out of harm’s way, which was a big plus in logging and land clearing operations and particularly so in landfill applications.
A 78 inch gauge machine with a seven-roller track frame, standard track shoes were 22 inches with options ranging from 20 inch through to 26 inch.
Euclid used a pivot shaft and pinned equalizer bar to allow track frame oscillation and keep the track frames in alignment. This arrangement was very strong and durable and allowed some 15 inches vertical oscillation to ensure good ground contact at all times.
Simplicity was a feature of the operator’s area. Steering was accomplished by two levers that were suspended just under the centrally mounted instrument panel. Half a pull on the lever released the steering clutch while further movement applied the brakes. A central master brake pedal was centrally placed on the floor.
An ‘open’ type shift gate allowed easy operation of the powershift transmission. The decelerator was on the floor, directly below the throttle control. Blade and ripper levers were situated to the operators right with the blade lever featuring a ‘flip up’ extension to allow easy access to the operator’s seat.
When equipped with an S or U blade, a tilt cylinder control pedal was placed on the floor, usually to the right of the decelerator pedal.
Visibility was excellent except for directly ahead, which was obscured by the air cleaner mushroom, exhaust pipe and blade lift cylinder. In push loading situations the operator tended to push slightly off center for a better view of what was happening.
Work tools
A great range of tools were provided for the 82-40. These included an S-blade, U-blade and an angle blade, rippers from Euclid, CRC-Kelly and Ateco, winches manufactured by Carco and Hyster, rear push blocks and counterweights, plus specialist land clearing equipment built by Ashland.
A rear mounted double drum cable control was also offered for those machines intended to tow scrapers.
Although some of the prototype 82-40s were equipped with a cable controlled bulldozer, all the production machines used a front mounted Variacs (Hydreco) 4000 series hydraulic control with a single lift cylinder.
From the operator’s seat
I have had quite a bit of ‘seat time’ on 82-40s as my first employer owned a couple. They were used mainly for push loading and ripping, the latter a task in which they excelled, especially in the Mangawekas.
Not the fastest tractor as a pusher (I personally preferred the 82-30 over the 82-40 for this task) nonetheless the 82-40 was a very stable and reliable machine and a great way to turn diesel fuel into noise.
The New Zealand connection
During the machine’s production life, the then New Zealand distributor, Clyde Engineering, imported 23 Euclid/Terex 82-40 tractors of both American and British manufacture, all apart from two being 82-40DA models.
As far as I am aware, there were no private imports of 82-40s.
Delivered to contractors throughout New Zealand, users included JR Philp, WG Evans, Feast Contractors, NZ Forest Products, H Allen Mills, Fenton Bros, BA Miller, M Henderson & Son, Carson Contracting and Taylor & Culley, to name a few.
A ruggedly built tractor, the occasional example can still be seen working.
For the model collector
I have only ever seen one model of a Euclid 82-40 and it was a cast bronze paperweight rather than an actual scale model. It was produced for Euclid by a promotions company and was to approximately 1:40th scale. It is probably best regarded today as something of a curious collectors item rather than a model.
It is to be hoped that some enterprising model company will produce one in the future.
Brief specifications – Euclid/Terex 82-40DA (the most common NZ variant)
Engine: General Motors 8V-71N, naturally aspirated V8 diesel rated at 275 horsepower at 2100 rpm
Transmission: Allison CRT6031 three-speed fwd/rev powershift transmission
Top Speed: 6.1 mph
Track Gauge: 78”
Std,Track Length: 40 section
Std.Track Shoe: 22”
Carrier Rollers: Two per side
Bottom Rollers: Seven per side
Length: 20’ (with S-blade and ripper)
Width: 12’ 3” (with S-blade and ripper)
Height: 8’ 4”
Operating Weight: 35 tons (with blade and ripper)