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

HCF

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 23, 2010
Messages
192
Location
Springfield, Or.
Occupation
Fabricator
Ross Corp shop in Eugene OR from a 1990 brochure. Am curious as to what the facility is used for now.


View attachment 74908

Edit: I was thinking of the wrong location. There is actually a hub for NPE trucking in there. Papé is on the left side of the photo. There are a bunch of different shops back there. I can take some pictures of the place tomorrow if anyone would be interested.
 
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Roadswitcher

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 3, 2010
Messages
123
Location
NSW AUSTRALIA
Thanks Jeremy and HCF - posts 300/301

Yes please, some pics would bring back some memories. As I remember too there was a favoured Country and Western Bar nearby (towards top right of pic I think) that was frequented to 'finalize' the occasional deal.

Pic of 1989 visit - I think that 255 on rubber is down our way now.

yarder 6 640.jpg
 

HCF

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 23, 2010
Messages
192
Location
Springfield, Or.
Occupation
Fabricator
I will have to get pics tomorrow. Got roped into going out with my lady tonight. That's ok though. She let me work on some 1/50 stuff most of the morning. Haha. I'll get them up the day I take em.
 

HCF

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 23, 2010
Messages
192
Location
Springfield, Or.
Occupation
Fabricator
Well. I hope this doesn't post twice but I lost an Internet connection when I tried to post the pics. They're a little dark but they should work. If not I'll get some more. Here it goes:
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Hope this works fellas. It's split up into a bunch of different outfits now. I never knew that was the old residence of the Ross Corporation.
 

HCF

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 23, 2010
Messages
192
Location
Springfield, Or.
Occupation
Fabricator
I agree. I wish they were still operating. I'm actually a fabricator and think that would be an awesome job. I can still keep my fingers crossed that one day there will be someone building logging equipment around here again. I was surprised to find there were a bunch of mechanics working on an older Deere stroker at 5:00 on a Saturday.
 

J&R_INC.

Active Member
Joined
Nov 14, 2010
Messages
44
Location
N. California
Occupation
Logging contractor
Tsy 155 #s-5117

Here are more pics of the repower. Totally rebuilt transmission. $10,000 turned into $30,000
IMG_0088.jpgIMG_0087.jpgIMG_0089.jpg
 

J&R_INC.

Active Member
Joined
Nov 14, 2010
Messages
44
Location
N. California
Occupation
Logging contractor
Tsy 155 #s-5117

More pics. the first is the new cooling package with intercooler and rad side by side. the second is the modified rad cover. The new cooling package is about 8" taller. The last pic is of the new engine all chained up so we can mate the trans. It has all been dry fitted so it should go fairly quick now.IMG_0090.jpgIMG_0091.jpgIMG_0092.jpg
 

J&R_INC.

Active Member
Joined
Nov 14, 2010
Messages
44
Location
N. California
Occupation
Logging contractor
TSY 155 #s-5117

First pic and last are of cab notice new engine monitor in last pic. The others are of the engine. Second pic is from Haulbak drum side. She is finally finished we will bring her home and put drums in and go to work.
IMG_0100.jpgIMG_0094.jpgIMG_0096.jpgIMG_0095.jpgIMG_0099.jpg
 

J&R_INC.

Active Member
Joined
Nov 14, 2010
Messages
44
Location
N. California
Occupation
Logging contractor
We should have it back this week. The transmission turned out to be quite a boondoggle. It ran fine but we decided to rebuild it since we were so far into the machine, well one thing led to another and what we thought would take a week and about $10000 ended up almost a month and $32000. Those twin disk transmissions aren't cheap but the total heart of the yarder is all new. We did the testing late last week and everything looks good. The state will inspect it this week and provide the project funding. We are hoping to bring it back to the yard this week and put the drums back in it and put it all together and get it to work. It needs to go to work I'm starting to run out of money and it's far too wet for the cat side to do anything.
 

tree farmer

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2011
Messages
59
Location
NW Oregon
Thunderbird Series " B"

This is a July 1977 publication
 

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Gyppo Logger

Member
Joined
Oct 29, 2010
Messages
8
Location
Wenatchee WA
I have many fond memories of the T-bird Series "B". Newell Logging in Plain WA bought one in the spring of 1978, I worked on that machine for the next 8 years. I have photos and video of that machine to share when probation is over.
 

tree farmer

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2011
Messages
59
Location
NW Oregon
I have many fond memories of the T-bird Series "B". Newell Logging in Plain WA bought one in the spring of 1978, I worked on that machine for the next 8 years. I have photos and video of that machine to share when probation is over.

I only got to set chokers for a few days on a Series "B". Mead Logging finished a highlead setting then we moved a 1/4 mile and set up a shotgun carriage show the same day. We used a JD 440 skidder to string and move the skyline which was nice since they were using a 3-4 man yarder crew. They would chain a short log to the cab side of the yarder so the operator could step out of the cab and run down the log and unhook the turns.
 
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