S. Madill, Blacksmith, Founded in 1911 in Nanaimo BC

A worn out 5-300.

Steve's other one?

Yeah he moved it and some other stuff down here from Dayton.

It's funny how cumbersome & oddly configured the Madill carriers used to be but the 071, 171 and 172 were absolute winners.
The 071/171's just need hydraulic unders, transmissions & a 5th guy on the 171.

Curious if anyone on here has any input or experience with the 2850C set up as a processor - good, bad, ugly, winning.
I've ran the 2850C as log loader / shovel and then 3800C with 630 SouthStar is my only Madill processor experience, but curious about purchasing one potentially.

Would love a 3800 and easier to find, price is about the same, but way way too big of a machine for my area unfortunately.

Thanks!

If you're dead set on one then I'd say go for it but personally you couldn't give me one of them things.
As far as a Carrier they are great for flow and pressure but they are miserable to run, rough on the body and those cabs are nothing but a damn ice Box. They drink fuel like they're never gonna get another drink and honestly they're just old and worn out.

I've always been very impressed with the performance of the Madill hydraulic machines, and the serviceability is superb in my book. Thats what I really love about them: power and simple. They are thirsty for sure as a trade off.

But comfort or cab quality is not at the top of the list by any means, so I can understand your opinion on that. Very simple / crude and LOUD. The Cat 324D we had as well was whisper quiet compared to the 2850C or 3800C.
But likewise, easy control box to open up and work on electrical / no plastic to get loose and rattle around or unnecessary cab parts / sort of dummy proof since no one takes care of gear any ways / bare bones minimum type of deal but I like that.

Ironically, I never had the heater on in any of the ones I ran, so I'll have to take your word on the ice box. I've stood in the back of them during Washington visits watching guys work, but it wasn't frigid cold out by any means, just drizzle.

My concern is the age of the machines and parts for sure, and Madill being what it is today doesn't help by any means.
Even a Series II C machine is 2016 or 17 absolute latest I believe before they dropped to the 3000 / 4000, which have gone over so well (not).

I would really just like to have a high rise, rear entry cab machine with some actual reach and power.
And it won't be a Gosh Darn Doosan, will guarantee that - hate those machines.

Our local service for any brand (TC, JD, Cat, LinkBelt) all equally blow because it doesn't exist out here. You are on your own for most repairs and parts are constantly flown in regardless - so it doesn't matter what you buy.
You call dealers for parts, and they have no idea what type of machine you are even talking about. We make lots of calls to the PNW and Canada for support or ordering.

The 2850C would be a very large machine for Rocky Mnt region, but guys do run 325D as well - same size.
I would consider a 865 or 875 Tigercat, but that type of money is out of the question since its new machine territory and I've never been on any TC shovel / processor in the past.

skadill said:

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Most of your pics. seem to come from old RB auctions brochures. It would be very helpful if you could list the dates they're from. Nice to get an idea how old machines are and when companies closed, liquidated or re-organized their fleets.

skadill said:

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Looks like the 1997-98 KP auction.

When Ritchies were still running the Surrey yard down by the river in Vancouver i remember seeing a couple of 009s go for 5000.00 each .Everything on them ,butt rigging guy line extentions , probably a power saw stashed in them. Unfortunatly there was a huge scrap operation next door.

Welder Dave said:

Most of your pics. seem to come from old RB auctions brochures. It would be very helpful if you could list the dates they're from. Nice to get an idea how old machines are and when companies closed, liquidated or re-organized their fleets.

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Hi Dave,the majority of these are from the 1980's brochures. The photos were mostly taken years ago by myself of the brochures, so finding which pic matches which auction would be an all day task .I totally get the interest in the times, location and companies the gear came from. That's why I 'have' and 'have access to most every sale ever put on. I do post the full brochures and videos of them completely on my youtube channel though, if you ever want to cruise back through equipment history. They are in a dedicated playlist.

skadill said:

Hi Dave,the majority of these are from the 1980's brochures. The photos were mostly taken years ago by myself of the brochures, so finding which pic matches which auction would be an all day task .I totally get the interest in the times, location and companies the gear came from. That's why I 'have' and 'have access to most every sale ever put on. I do post the full brochures and videos of them completely on my youtube channel though, if you ever want to cruise back through equipment history. They are in a dedicated playlist.View attachment 274291

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I never noticed the auction brochure before. Somebody bought a new Madill yarder crane in 1979 and it's up for sale a year later. Curious why it was auctioned off basically new. Mind you I've seen other companies auction almost new machines off but not usually something the scale of a yarder. You wouldn't typically buy a yarder for 1 job.

Lots of times it's a company that's been around for years and just grown their fleet and updating and then all of a sudden boom a huge market shift and they decide to hell with it we're going to sell out. Usually they've got so much paid for gear that they can just pay cash for or hardly owe anything on the new machine so when it goes to auction they'll eat a little bit of the difference as they're coming up with 100% equity on everything else.

Welder Dave said:

I never noticed the auction brochure before. Somebody bought a new Madill yarder crane in 1979 and it's up for sale a year later. Curious why it was auctioned off basically new. Mind you I've seen other companies auction almost new machines off but not usually something the scale of a yarder. You wouldn't typically buy a yarder for 1 job.

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Chopper95 said:

I would really just like to have a high rise, rear entry cab machine with some actual reach and power.

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Usually draw up a list of suitable processors first and then match them to a list of suitable carriers.
A Madill 2850C could be a rebuild option. Junk the Cummins for a Cat 9 liter ACERT 270+hp.
The Cat 325 D FM was offered as a 'cab less' version from factory so there are 325D FMs around with aftermarket 'fridge door' rear entry cabs. Put on some hydraulic folding engine cover guards so there is a platform to walk on when engine servicing. (Downside of the 325 was it's 204 hp?)
A rear door 325D FM would probably be one of less expensive options (Also machines like 2014 Komatsu 290's with rear door cabs and forestry booms by Pierce)
Could look at Cat 558 with high rise cab (but side entry) and retrofit a rear entry cab later (240hp and 85K lbs)