Washington Iron Works and thier machines

[Contract Logger]

There seems to be alot of interest the the Washington yarders and log loaders, so here's a thread devoted just to/for them. Share your pictures, your stries, or just sit back and enjoy ours if you like!

I suppose I'll have to start, so here goes...............

[Contract Logger]

This machine was purchased NEW in 1968 by St Regis at Mineral Washington. It was scrapped in Haines, Alaska in 2008 at the old Schnabel Lutack Inlet mill.

This particular machine is on the 3-axle version carrier, and has electric guyline drums on the gantry.

I saw it work in both Washingon and Alaska.

[Contract Logger]

I took these pics the summer of 2008. 2 days later she was gone.........

[Contract Logger]

I think there were 35 or so of these built. Probably less than 15 of them working today.

Features were running skyline, 2 guylines, 360 degree swing. Yarding distance was limited to about 1,000 feet.

[JTL]

Once again, very nice pictures. I'll have to dig around and see if I can find some pictures from my logging days.

[Wolf]

Really awesome pictures, bro. You have seen a lot of cool stuff. Thanks for posting.

[580bruce]

I live in North Central Washington.You still see some ofthese old girls parked on the brush here and there.Next time I see one,it will need a closer look!Please keep the Pics a commin!Where were they built?

[Contract Logger]

And pics from Malaysia of sled yarders.

[Contract Logger]

Different views of them- AND with a TL15 loading.

[trainwreck]

sad to see those old rigs get cut up. I work for the company that did the mill scrap job in haines.

[Contract Logger]

sad to see those old rigs get cut up. I work for the company that did the mill scrap job in haines.

I was up there several times during the scrapping. Got some great pics of the RF Hitachi's that were there. I suppose there's a place on the forum here for those pics too..........Scrap and Demo?

[John C.]

Washington Iron employed a bunch of mechanics over the years and I was fortunate to have worked with a few of them. Back then you had to be pretty good working on all the components and subsystems that made those things work. Engines, torque converters, gear trains, hydraulics and welding were all required in normal work. Throw in the rigging and setup that goes with operating these monsters and you had wrenches that could pretty well go anywhere. Many filtered out through the other dealer networks when Washington quit business.

I don't remember hearing any of the guys I worked with over the years make an excuse why something couldn't get done. They figured out the problem and found a way to fix it.

Thanks for the photos. Now I know a little more of what they were talking about in some of the stories they told.

[Big Iron]

Nice photos really brings back the memories for sure. Heres a pict of our first 78 we ran a Danabo slack line carriage on it and if you could keep it running it was a real log getter out to about 700'. somewhere i have some of our very 1st yarder a skagit SJ4RT with a 4-71 in it i'll see if i can round up

[Iron Art]

New to the forum and saw this thread on the Washington Iron Works. These old yarders were the Cadilac of the big iron. Theres' a company near my home here in western WA. that uses them in their business of long line drag- line digging. They rebuild, update, setup and train the operator in the yarders use. Heres a link to their website. Fred
http://www.ramseycoinc.com/Photos.htm

[Contract Logger]

Hey Iron Art-- Ramsey has a couple of 217 Slackline Washington's there on Hamilton Rd.
It would sure be neat if you could take some pics and post them. You must live there in Chehalis?