Draft:Letourneau D40 Tree Crusher

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World largest tree crusher

The LeTourneau D-40 Tree Crusher was a heavy-duty, self-propelled land clearing machine developed by R.G. LeTourneau, Inc.. Designed during the mid-20th century, it represented the company's penchant for creating exceptionally large and powerful heavy equipment. The primary purpose of the D-40, like other LeTourneau tree crushers, was to rapidly clear large tracts of forested land or dense vegetation by literally rolling over and crushing trees and undergrowth.[1]

Development and Design

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R.G. LeTourneau was renowned for innovation in earthmoving and heavy machinery, particularly his pioneering work with diesel-electric drive systems. Instead of complex mechanical transmissions, LeTourneau favored designs where a diesel engine drove generators, which in turn powered electric motors located directly at the points of power application – often within the wheels themselves (known as the "Electric Wheel").[2] This system allowed for immense torque, relatively simple operation for large machines, and flexibility in design.

The Tree Crusher concept emerged from the need for efficient large-scale land clearing for agriculture, infrastructure projects, and military applications.[3] The D-40 incorporated these LeTourneau hallmarks:

  • Massive Scale: Built to handle substantial trees, the machine was exceptionally large and heavy.
  • Diesel-Electric Drive: Providing high torque and eliminating conventional drive shafts and transmissions.
  • Large Roller Drums: Massive steel drums equipped with grousers provided both propulsion and the crushing force. Each roller was equipped with 6-inch steel grousers that would rip and destroy vegetation.[1]
  • Elevated Operator Cabin: Positioned high on the machine for visibility over the terrain and the crushing operation.

Operation

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The D-40 Tree Crusher operated by driving directly over the vegetation intended for clearing. Its immense weight, concentrated on the surfaces of the large steel roller drums, would break, splinter, and crush trees and brush beneath them. The machine would typically make passes over an area, flattening the forest and leaving behind a mulch-like layer of compacted debris, which could sometimes be burned off or incorporated into the soil later.[1] Its slow speed was offset by the wide path it could clear in a single pass, with most tree crushers operating at a maximum speed of approximately 3 mph.[4]

Specifications

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The LeTourneau tree crushers, including the D-40 model, had these general specifications:

  • Type: Self-propelled Tree Crusher / Land Clearing Roller
  • Manufacturer: R.G. LeTourneau, Inc., Longview, Texas[1]
  • Drive System: Diesel-Electric, with diesel engines powering generators that supplied electricity to motors in the rollers[1]
  • Configuration: Typically two large roller drums (front and rear) mounted to an all-steel welded frame[1]
  • Weight: Often in the range of 50-150 tons, with some models like the Tree Stomper variant weighing approximately 120 tons[5]
  • Engine: Large diesel generator sets, with some models using V12 Cummins engines, and the Tree Stomper variant using a 475 hp Detroit Diesel engine[4][6]
  • Controls: Simple finger-tip switch controls for operation[1]
  • Size: Various models had different dimensions, with some having rollers up to 30 feet wide and 8 feet tall[4]

Operational History

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LeTourneau Tree Crushers were used in various large-scale land clearing projects globally. While specific deployments attributed solely to the "D-40" model need further documentation, LeTourneau crushers saw documented use including:

  • Commercial Land Development: Clearing land for farming, plantations, reservoirs, and construction projects.
  • Forestry Operations: In northern areas like British Columbia, tree crushers were used to deal with leftover brush and unwanted trees after harvesting commercially valuable timber.[7]
  • Military Use: In 1968, the United States military leased LeTourneau Tree Crushers for use in Vietnam to clear dense jungle vegetation.[8]

The G-175 model, manufactured by LeTourneau, operated in Mackenzie, British Columbia starting in 1964. This specific machine crushed approximately 2,590 acres of forest before being retired and eventually moved to become a tourist attraction in Mackenzie in 1984.[9]

Legacy

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The LeTourneau D-40 and its sibling machines represented an era of bold engineering and massive scale in heavy equipment. They demonstrated the effectiveness of the diesel-electric drive system for very large, specialized tasks. While highly effective, their operational scope was limited to specific large-scale clearing projects. Due to their size, specialization, and the evolution of land clearing techniques, few examples of these massive machines survive today.[8] The remains of some LeTourneau Tree Crushers can reportedly be found in Longview, Texas, where parts of the machines are rusting away behind a workshop.[8]

In 2011, Joy Global purchased LeTourneau Technologies, and the LeTourneau name was dropped from the company's manufacturing plant in Longview, Texas, though the LeTourneau name continued to adorn the company's iconic loader products.[10] The tree crushers remain iconic examples of R.G. LeTourneau's "bigger is better" engineering philosophy.

See Also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "LeTourneau Tree Crusher". Mackenzie & District Museum. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  2. ^ Orlemann, Eric C. (2000). LeTourneau Earthmovers. Motorbooks International. ISBN 0-7603-0840-3.
  3. ^ "The Letourneau Tree Crusher Is Possibly The Coolest Thing We Have Ever Seen". Bangshift. June 11, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c "Letourneau Tree Crusher". Heavy Equipment Forums. June 26, 2023. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  5. ^ "1964 – "Tree Stomper" – Robert G. LeTourneau (American)". Cyberneticzoo.com. October 30, 2012. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  6. ^ "1964 – "Tree Stomper" – Robert G. LeTourneau (American)". Cyberneticzoo.com. October 30, 2012. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  7. ^ "Largest Tree Crusher". Arborist Site Forum. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  8. ^ a b c "LeTourneau Tactical Tree Crusher Location". Overland Trains. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  9. ^ "Tree Crusher". Mackenzie Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  10. ^ "Manufacturing plant to drop LeTourneau from name". The News Journal. 18 May 2012. Retrieved April 10, 2025.

Further Reading

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  • Orlemann, Eric C. (2000). LeTourneau Earthmovers. Motorbooks International. ISBN 0-7603-0840-3.
  • Orlemann, Eric C. (2008). R.G. LeTourneau Heavy Equipment: The Mechanical Drive Era (1921-1953). Iconografix. ISBN 978-1583882146.
  • Orlemann, Eric C. (2014). R.G. LeTourneau Heavy Equipment Photo Gallery. Enthusiast Books. ISBN 978-1583883174.
  • Gowenlock, Philip G. (1996). The LeTourneau Legend. Paddington Publications Pty. Ltd.
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