Hough-International Harvester employees and Pay Loader, Libertyville, IL.
Ray "Steve" Miltimore is in the driver's seat. Circa 1965. Dunn Museum 2006.15
In 1939, the Frank G. Hough Company in Libertyville built the world’s first production payloader tractor shovel.
The company became the largest employer in central Lake County with 3,000 employees, and eventually the world’s largest manufacturer of rubber-tired tractor shovels.
Inventor Frank G. Hough (1890-1965) coined the term "payloader." Hough was working as a mining engineer in Wisconsin in 1920, when he conceived of the idea of "moving bulk materials in large quantities with hydraulically operated, mobile equipment."
The company became the largest employer in central Lake County with 3,000 employees, and eventually the world’s largest manufacturer of rubber-tired tractor shovels.
Frank G. Hough (1890-1965)
By 1933, his company was incorporated and operating out of Chicago.
Hough Company, Libertyville, Illinois, 1939. Dunn Museum 2010.34.
In 1939, Hough opened his plant in Libertyville, which covered 14,400 square feet. This is where the first Model HS Payloaders were manufactured. Payloaders arrived on the market at a time when there were no machines with shovels attached to the front or rear, and it provided speed, maneuverability and fast cycle times.
Hough was an industry and community leader in Libertyville. Under Hough's leadership and legacy, the company defined the modern wheel loader, and accomplished such achievements as four wheel drive, torque conversion and the hydrostatic transmission.
In 1952, Hough sold his company to International Harvester, and became a division of that conglomerate. Frank Hough continued as the chief designer, and the Payloader name was retained. By then his plant occupied over 312,000 square feet and employed more than 1,000 people.
Photo of employees with work anniversaries (above) featured in company newsletter, The Payloader. Left to right: G.A. Gilbertson (management); William F. Pentzien, 15 years; Floyd F. Patrick, 10 years; Betty L. Cazel, 5 years; Fred A. Arnold, 10 years; Edgar White, 10 years; Richard H. Moore, 10 years; Minor B. Williams, 10 years; Jack Forney, and George J. Stedronsky, 10 years.
Hough dissolved in 1966 and became a division of Harvester. Dresser Industries bought the plant from Harvester in 1981. Komatsu Ltd. formed a joint venture with Dresser in 1988. Komatsu is a Japanese company that manufactures construction and mining equipment, and was founded in 1917.
Komatsu and Dresser Industries established Komatsu Dresser to make mining tractors and related equipment. This 50-50 ownership lasted from September 1988 to August 1994, when Komatsu bought out Dresser's share.
In 1995, Komatsu America Corporation purchased the plant. The Libertyville plant closed in 1996 when Dresser and Komatsu reassessed their manufacturing capacity in the United States. Komatsu's mining products were consolidated under the name Komatsu Mining Systems in 1997.
Like Hough and International Harvester before them, Komatsu still uses the Antioch Proving Grounds for testing earth-moving machines.
Komatsu's headquarters are now in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Komatsu America is the second-largest, fully-integrated manufacturer and supplier of construction equipment in North America.
In recent years, the museum has received several generous donations of Hough and International Harvester items from the company and former employees, including photographic images, newsletters, Payloader models, and even a drafting table and drafter's tools. A sample of the photographs and slides have been shared in this post.
The earliest Hough donation was made to the museum in 1961 by the company itself. The 1939 Hough Model HS Payloader (Dunn Museum 61.51) is shown in front of the company plant in Libertyville.
Hough Company entrance, Libertyville, IL. Dunn Museum 2010.34.32.
Frank G. Hough's office at the Hough plant in Libertyville, IL, circa 1940. Photo by Carl Ullrich. Dunn Museum 98.8
Hough-IH employee anniversary photo featured in company newsletter, The Payloader, November 1957. Dunn Museum 2010.34.43.
Photo of employees with work anniversaries (above) featured in company newsletter, The Payloader. Left to right: G.A. Gilbertson (management); William F. Pentzien, 15 years; Floyd F. Patrick, 10 years; Betty L. Cazel, 5 years; Fred A. Arnold, 10 years; Edgar White, 10 years; Richard H. Moore, 10 years; Minor B. Williams, 10 years; Jack Forney, and George J. Stedronsky, 10 years.
Drafting department, Hough-International Harvester, Libertyville, circa 1965. Dunn Museum 2010.34.19
Offices at Hough-International Harvester, Libertyville, circa 1965. Dunn Museum 2010.34.5
View of the manufacturing operations at Hough-International Harvester, Libertyville IL, circa 1965.
Dunn Museum 2010.34.35
Assembly Department, Hough Company, Libertyville, IL. Photo by Carl Ullrich. Dunn Museum 98.8
Hough dissolved in 1966 and became a division of Harvester. Dresser Industries bought the plant from Harvester in 1981. Komatsu Ltd. formed a joint venture with Dresser in 1988. Komatsu is a Japanese company that manufactures construction and mining equipment, and was founded in 1917.
Komatsu and Dresser Industries established Komatsu Dresser to make mining tractors and related equipment. This 50-50 ownership lasted from September 1988 to August 1994, when Komatsu bought out Dresser's share.
H-65C Pay Loader, Libertyville, IL, circa 1970. Dunn Museum 2006.15
Aerial photograph of Libertyville IL plant looking southeast from Route 176,
circa 1975. Dunn Museum 2010.34
Like Hough and International Harvester before them, Komatsu still uses the Antioch Proving Grounds for testing earth-moving machines.
Komatsu's headquarters are now in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Komatsu America is the second-largest, fully-integrated manufacturer and supplier of construction equipment in North America.
In recent years, the museum has received several generous donations of Hough and International Harvester items from the company and former employees, including photographic images, newsletters, Payloader models, and even a drafting table and drafter's tools. A sample of the photographs and slides have been shared in this post.
The earliest Hough donation was made to the museum in 1961 by the company itself. The 1939 Hough Model HS Payloader (Dunn Museum 61.51) is shown in front of the company plant in Libertyville.
32 comments:
check the pictures of the loaders the one shown at the conexpo is a terex brand and the one shown in the working shot is a caterpillar brand. What happen to Hough pictures?
Thank you for your comment. I've replaced the non-Hough related images with Libertyville plant views.
Diana
The aerial photo of entire plant is a reverse negative photo. With highway 176 shown in foreground, the front entry circle drive should have been to the right (west) of the photo.
Thanks, Lou. I've flipped the aerial photo to the correct orientation.
Diana
My first job after high school was for International Hough, in 1985. Looking at the dates listed in this article, apparently Harvester and Dresser had already bought them out. It was my job to use an electric eraser to remove the old company name and logo off of the blueprints in the engineering department and stick a new company label on in it's place. I was told at the time that the room where the blueprints were stored and where I worked was an underground bomb shelter. The building was located off Rockland Road.
Does anyone know a thomas Nielsen who worked for either hough / international or UAW 1643 in libertyville ill in 1967? He was fiends w Gerry clary who also worked there...
Any info please contact me at
Vixion2go@hotmail.com
Thank you
I found a Frank G Hough toy payloader in a cellar. It is 17X7X6 in tough shape but I found the name and Rockford, Ill. on a front logo. Any worth?
gregchurchill@ymail.com
Greg,
Thanks for your comment. I replied to you via email.
Diana
The Hough plant had a very large testing ground that ran from the plant building almost all the way west to St Mary's road.
They tested payloaders there and created and leveled little mountains and valleys all over what had to be 30 acres of land. For a kid who could sneak under/over the fence on weekends, it was the greatest unsupervised playground ever.
It was most likely made by nylint in Rockford. Look on the tires for the possible manufacturer. Condition establishes price. Nothing else it is good for parts for a collector to repair another toy.
I worked there late 60's & 70's Does anyone remember Ed Krumely the boss.H e had realtives in Willard wi. stoneeeee451@hotmail.com
Hello , I'm searching for any information on my grandfather. he worked at the Hough plant for 20 years as the Forman of the implement division. His name was Irvine Feltner, any information about him please contact me at wfeltner18@Gmail. Com thank you.
Hello,
My name is Rick Sparks. I worked in assembly at the Hough plant from 69-72. I initially worked on the H65-80 line. Most of my time there was spent building D-500's. I built the front half on second shift.
I have a lot of history to share if anyone is interested!
You can contact me at sparkdog1@gmail.com.
It was one of the most interesting jobs I ever had.
My dad transferred from Milwaukee to the plant in 1973-1988 retired. His name was Richard "Dick" Langlois. He was a Machine Repairman. Usually worked 2nd shift. He and my mom Lucy got a place in Florida for their retirement. Mom got real sick January 1988, she died August 29, 1988, dad retired August 31,1988. International Harvester was an amazing company. Blessings to you all. Linda
Thank you for sharing this story, Linda. All best wishes!
I worked at the plant from 1966 thru 1973. I started in production stores and ended up in cost accounting. I have a lot of good memories.
I most receintly have inherited a 1970 Hough H60-G payloader and cannot find what the difference is between a H60 and H60-G. Looking to purchase a parts book, but all that I find is for just the H60. Can anyone tell me what the difference is?
Google Tractor Parts, Idaho. General Tractor? anyway, Google people who work on Hough tractors and they will tell u. I called one and they thought "gas". Oddly, I worked across from that line for three years, 1969-71 and never paid any attention! Build H65 and H80 and found a home building 500D's. Good luck and have fun!
Rick Sparks
The following picture "Aerial photograph of Libertyville plant looking southeast from Route 176, circa 1975. (LCDM 2010.34)" is before 1975. I know this as my father (Rodney Anderson) worked in the Engineering Division off of Rockland Road, which is not in the picture. I know this as I was a freshman at LHS. It's a great picture but it may even be prior to 1972 as we moved to Libertyville at that time.
Greg Anderson
I worked as Bilingual Secretary at Dresser's plant in Mogi das Cruzes SP Brasil, prior to joint venture with Komatsu. Anyone from Brazil here? In 1987 I was about to move to Libertyville IL to work as secretary, but changed my mind. Instead I remained in Brazil working as missionary on behalf of streetkids. Anyone from Libertyville here? Sorry, I couldn't come, but it's never too late! Who knows? ;D
My dad worked at Hough in the 40's-60's before they were changed to Intl. Harvester. He was offered a buy-out which he took. He was a machinist. Arthur Curtis Evans. I remember the lavish Hough family christmas parties where they had gift for all the children and pictures with Santa. We got miniature sized Hough Payloaders with moving parts. They were great fun and I'm sure we played them to death in the sandbox moving materials around. Nice memories. I looked at the group picture to see if I could spot my dad but it's a bit too grainy. Thanks for the history.
Thanks for your comment Aleata. It made me think back. It was IH Hough when I worked there. One Christmas we got a turkey. The next year we got a window scraper! An IH toy D500 is what I want!
Rick Sparks
F.C., CO.
Looking for dealership photos of Hough, Dresser, or IH or any cons. equip dealership photos from the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's
Would have an engine repair service manual for a 1969 Int'l 100 series C crawler? If you can help call me at 2187708115
Hello,
The majority of the Dunn Museum's Hough/Int'l Harvester/Komatsu Collection contains employee newsletters dating from 1947 to 1978. There are few manuals in the collection, and unfortunately not for the 1969 Int'l 100 Series C Crawler.
Good luck in your search.
Why can't I get any info on a model 79 hough tractor shovel it's a tack loader serial number 66322
Hi! I worked there from 1965 -1972. Hired by Nick Schotanus and over the years worked for/with Daryl Luce, Russ Christian, Bill Hanke (and his brother), and the Auditor Frank (don’t recall his last name). Great company to work for!
My father Mariano Rolon worked at the Libertyville plant on 2nd shift from 1967- 1984. He still has fond memories of that place, AMF what a great company it was. He's 84 years young now, and still talks about it.
What department did your father,Mariano Rolon work in?
My Dad, Ken Thomas worked there from early 60’s till about 81. Great memories of their holiday parties with Santa.
My father worked there, he started while it was still hough then international harvester the dresser and Komatsu. His name was Joe McDonough. He was a inspector 1st shift
My name is Dick Unger. I worked at IH from 1968 to 1981 when I got laid off. I worked in fabricating. General
Foreman was Wally Misavice who happened to be my uncle.
Next I worked in Bldg. 36. Which was the home of Axel Assembly, Engine Assembly and Transmission Assembly. My General Foreman was Bruce Priebe.
Next I worked in Production Stores. The General Forman was Irv Krumery.
Finally I worked in Yard Stores. My General Foreman was Gerry Meyer.
My dad, Jerry Unger started working for the original Frank G Hough from about 1950 until he passed sway in 1980. He was the receiving Forman in the 1950’s and became the Material Handling Engineer from about 1960 until he passed away.
I grew up as a Hough brat attending all the wonderful picnics and Christmas parties. They were pretty awesome. If anyone wants to get a hold of me my email address is richardu71@icloud.com
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