Thunderbird Yarders, Loaders, and Etc from the Murray's in Eugene Oregon

[Contract Logger]

When the big yarder maufacturers went broke in the early 1980's, Ross Murray (Ross Equiment) jumped in and built a fine line of yarders, and then starting in 1988 built hydraulic log loaders, delimbers, and processors. I have owned several of these machines over the years, and no doubt you guys have owned or run them as well. Ross/Thunderbird was such a threat to barely-surviving Madill, that Madill actually purchased them and phased thier product out altogether.

That decision/aquisition put Madill in a debt situation that led to thier bankruptcy a couple of years ago.

[Contract Logger]

I should disclose I guess that at different times I worked for both the Murrays and the Madills. Both very successful, but very different families. The old guard of both companies retired, and the companies that ended were run by corporate managers, not the owner operators who founded them.

[Contract Logger]

Machine was purchased new by 'Red' MacKenzie out of Northern California.
It has a set of Pullmaster 25H hydraulic winches on the off-side, officially making it a 'yoder'.

Red loved the machine, and after he passed away in 1995 it was sold to a logger in Texas.

[Steve Frazier]

One thing that has intrigued me is the component that rides the cable pulling the logs up the hill. From what I've seen on these logging shows I'm guessing it has a combustion engine in it of some sort to drive it. Is there any chance you can get some close up pics of the unit, with the cover open and perhaps explain how it works? Thanks!

[JTL]

One thing that has intrigued me is the component that rides the cable pulling the logs up the hill. From what I've seen on these logging shows I'm guessing it has a combustion engine in it of some sort to drive it. Is there any chance you can get some close up pics of the unit, with the cover open and perhaps explain how it works? Thanks!

Steve,
That thing that rides up and down the skyline is called a motorized carriage. They have a little diesel engine in them that is started or stopped by the rigging crew or the yarder operator with thier Talkie Tooters. (the beeping you hear all the time on those shows, not just the cussing being beeped over!) The engine turns a drum full of cable either in or out to provide slack for the rigging crew to get to the logs.

Heres a couple links to carriage manufactures. I'm sure they would have some up close pics and mabey a video of how they work.

http://www.acmecarriages.com
http://www.eaglecarriage.com

I couldnt find a web site for the Bowman Skycar, but the Google search brought up a lot of sites with info about them.
Good luck!!

[Steve Frazier]

Thanks for the link! Here's a page with a few of them opened up: http://www.acmecarriages.com/Equipment/carriages.html

Those things must be big bucks, they are selling for between $10K and $20K used! You say they are controlled by the tooters, is there a wire to them or do they hear the toot? Or perhaps wireless control?

[JTL]

They are pretty spendy! A brand new big Boman Mark V will set you back about 100 grand! Owners seem to get a little upset when a yarder operator breaks a skyline and crashes one.
The Tooters are a wireless remote system. Heres a link to them.
http://www.rothenbuhlereng.com

[EGS]

JTL I could be wrong but didn't Finnly Hayes from Loggers World help produce the first Talkie Tooter?

Contract Logger keep up with pictures, I really enjoy looking at and learning about cable logging.

[John C.]

There were a bunch of Thunderbirds around for awhile. Too bad the industry really isn't healthy enough to support many manufacturers anymore. I've heard the Madill story had a lot more twists and turns than just swallowing too much in the purchase of the Thunderbird line.

[JTL]

EGS- I cant answer that question for ya. He very well could have been involved with making the first Tooters. It really would'nt surprize me a bit though, after reading the Rigging Shack for so many years.

John C- I've been wondering what happened to the Madill line since Modern Machinery bought them out. Is Modern just suppling parts, or are they planning on building the line now? Without Madill around, Diamond S will be the only outfit building any yarders these days.

[Contract Logger]

JTL I could be wrong but didn't Finnly Hayes from Loggers World help produce the first Talkie Tooter?

Contract Logger keep up with pictures, I really enjoy looking at and learning about cable logging.

Howard Rothenbuhler invented the Talkie Tooter. Finley Hayes was the first salesman there. This was before the Loggers World days.

Sorry fellows, just got home from a long day here in Juneau.

[Contract Logger]

EGS- I cant answer that question for ya. He very well could have been involved with making the first Tooters. It really would'nt surprize me a bit though, after reading the Rigging Shack for so many years.

John C- I've been wondering what happened to the Madill line since Modern Machinery bought them out. Is Modern just suppling parts, or are they planning on building the line now? Without Madill around, Diamond S will be the only outfit building any yarders these days.

Russ Smith at Modern's Rochester Wa, store is the man who is currently working on that. He is a friend and I speak with him often. They are currently quoting new Madills for sale, and will biuld one right now with an order and a deposit.

As many of you will know, Russ Smith was 'Mr Madill' and spent many years with that company. He personally handed the keys to the Kalama Wa building to its new owners a year or so ago.

[Contract Logger]

Off the Thunderbird topic, kind of. Anyway, went into my office for you guys a second ago and got something that Finley Hays gave me years ago.

These are taken-just-now pics of the first and original Talkie Tooter printed advertisement from 1963. Enjoy.

I know, I have lots of wierd things around here...........

[JTL]

Russ Smith at Modern's Rochester Wa, store is the man who is currently working on that. He is a friend and I speak with him often. They are currently quoting new Madills for sale, and will biuld one right now with an order and a deposit.

As many of you will know, Russ Smith was 'Mr Madill' and spent many years with that company. He personally handed the keys to the Kalama Wa building to its new owners a year or so ago.

I think anybody wanting to buy a new yarder these days needs to have their head examined!

Just last May I was driving up I-5 and saw the Madill building. In late August I made the same trip and the big Madill sign was gone, the building repainted, and some marine works company sign on the side.

Those old Talkie Tooter adds are hilarious!

[Contract Logger]

LOL, well dont tell Russ, he's out there full time trying to sell new yarders!