Exhibit 24.1


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,  that each  individual  whose signature
appears below hereby  constitutes and appoints Ronald M. DeFeo and Eric I Cohen,
or either of them, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full
power of substitution  and  resubstitution,  for him and in his name,  place and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Terex Corporation Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 (including,  without  limitation,
amendments), and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and all document in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting said
attorney-in-fact and agent, and each of them, full power and authority to do and
perform each and every act and thing  requisite  and  necessary  to be done,  as
fully to all  intents  and  purposes  as he might or could do in person,  hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said  attorneys-in-fact  and agents, or any of
them, or their or his substitute or substitutes,  may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.


     Signature                        Title                             Date
     ---------                        -----                             ----
/s/ Ronald M. DeFeo       Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
Ronald M. DeFeo                    and Director                   March 21, 2001
                            (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Joseph F. Apuzzo      Chief Financial Officer                 March 21, 2001
Joseph F. Apuzzo            (Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ Kevin M. O'Reilly     Controller                              March 21, 2001
Kevin M. O'Reilly           (Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ G. Chris Andersen     Director                                March 21, 2001
G. Chris Andersen

/s/ Don DeFosset          Director                                March 21, 2001
Don DeFosset

/s/ William H. Fike       Director                                March 21, 2001
William H. Fike

/s/ Donald P. Jacobs      Director                                March 21, 2001
Donald P. Jacobs

/s/ Marvin B. Rosenberg   Director                                March 21, 2001
Marvin B. Rosenberg

/s/ David A. Sachs        Director                                March 21, 2001
David A. Sachs