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Skagit Iron and Steel Works, Sedro Wooley, Washington

Hallback

Hallback

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 1, 2011
Messages
2,331
Location
Aberdeen Wa.
Occupation
Gyppo tower logger
GW,
Thank you for the kind words. In regards to the down drive I had the one in our BU-94 rebuilt and it only cost twenty-five hundred bucks and that was a shop doing it. In all reality it is not that bad. The biggest thing to watch out for with those down drives is water getting into them. Change the oil in them every spring and if you're going to be moving that much in the winter time after it sits on a landing for a while pull the plug and drain any water out of it. If you have a hard pull up a hill assist it with a skidder or something so you're not putting all that weight on it. You won't break it down drive you will break an axle or a U joint before that. Good luck in your search and make sure to post up photos for us to see.

PS, what area are you from?
 
Hallback

Hallback

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 1, 2011
Messages
2,331
Location
Aberdeen Wa.
Occupation
Gyppo tower logger
There is currently a 737 of unknown ownership at Modern Machinery right now getting some work done to it and a 737 owned by ENB logging at Way Machine right now.
 
grapplewrench

grapplewrench

Active Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2018
Messages
31
Location
State of Jefferson
Thank you for the info and reply there Hallback.
We are right near the foot of Mt Lassen.My son and I are starting in on yarding as soon as the snow lets us get in the haul road. I've been running hotsaw (buncher) for 20 years and we are both sick of mechanical logging as it's becoming more and more like a factory job. So we got yarder work offered to us by a land owner and we are jumping in with both feet for something that feels more like logging used to when I was in my 20s.If we get the SJ4,I will document it's return to it's full glory right here. Long range planning,I'm thinking about a rig that will hang out a ways with a decent sized skyline.
I like the looks and feel of the 3 drum BU84's but a 737 might be better.
Either way,I hope to have many empty blue and white paint cans around
my shop here on the ridge.
GW
 
P

Plebeian

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2009
Messages
434
Location
NZ
How far does the roadside logger need to go out on the slope?
Probably be the workers compensation people and the like that insist that modern diesels are used one day in the old haulers like the Skagit SJ4R. There are known health risks from the diesel fumes
"Diesel Exhaust Associated With Higher Heart Attack, Stroke Risk In Men"

Depending on the size of the wood, the Skagit GT3 might be a better starting point for a $$ upgrade (new cab etc) for the end result wheeled out of the shop.

Summit's H100 tower yarder started from a Skagit frame but a total rebuild for all hydraulic winches, 750 hp cummins etc.

Old Yoders - probably the more than 15 year old madill 3800 or similar if you don't want a def yoder. The 3800 still had a simple old detroit engine in it, good level of cab protection, generic track gear. and can also use it for a fairly able log loader when not been used hauling wood up slopes. Also has the space to retrofit a modern bs compliant engine if necessary.
 
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grapplewrench

grapplewrench

Active Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2018
Messages
31
Location
State of Jefferson
GT3s were common here 20+ years ago,but moving them around here on the highway can be a pain these days,where as the SJ4 will be our secondary "corner getter" where the TMY45, abeit a slightly smaller tower will be our main production machine.Our shovel has a grapple processor and I intend to put
a pullmaster drum or two on it at some point.The SJ4 was purpose built,smaller
by a ways than a GT3.
I looked at a 3800 madill,but the TMY 45 as a main rig was a better choice as on the first job we have a couple 2500'+ hangs,and It would be hard to get a large tube in there,so for the cost,speed,and drum size
the TMY also won the battle over all those rigs with WW2 tank carriages (78sl, 071 etc.). For a main carriage,and long hangs,I have decided on the Eagle V
with the drum. I think it would serve us well for a long time.Some of the slopes where we'll be logging haven't been touched since Cats were skidding right down the draws back in the 50's or before,so we have to be able to yard everything from toothpicks to 6' 16s. It will be something different almost every day.
 
Hallback

Hallback

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 1, 2011
Messages
2,331
Location
Aberdeen Wa.
Occupation
Gyppo tower logger
Just my two cents here but I would go with a Boman Mark V over that eagle internal drum Carriage as they are nearly twice as fast and are lighter on your Skyline. Yes they will bend up easier if dropped than an eagle but in all reality if you drop a motorized Carriage with an internal drum from any height it is going to get damaged. Also that yarder that Eric crume built at Summit does not work. Those hydraulic winches build far too much heat and it is an ineffective machine. If you are looking to get a big yarder I don't care what anybody says the old style cone frictions like the 94 has are way more reliable and better performing hoist than a 737 or an 84. A 737 is a little faster but when you are out over six or seven hundred feet just thread your haulback through your skidding boss and you will have all the speed you need.
 
T

Tacodriver

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2006
Messages
105
Location
East Kootaneys
Occupation
Yarder op, hoechucker, lowbedder etc..
Hallback said:
Also that yarder that Eric crume built at Summit does not work. Those hydraulic winches build far too much heat and it is an ineffective machine.
Click to expand...
I was wondering how that hyd tower works our EMS harvestline on the tigercat carrier burns a huge amount of fuel for what it does.
 
hoechucker

hoechucker

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2011
Messages
250
Location
n.cal
grapplewrench said:
GT3s were common here 20+ years ago,but moving them around here on the highway can be a pain these days,where as the SJ4 will be our secondary "corner getter" where the TMY45, abeit a slightly smaller tower will be our main production machine.Our shovel has a grapple processor and I intend to put
a pullmaster drum or two on it at some point.The SJ4 was purpose built,smaller
by a ways than a GT3.
I looked at a 3800 madill,but the TMY 45 as a main rig was a better choice as on the first job we have a couple 2500'+ hangs,and It would be hard to get a large tube in there,so for the cost,speed,and drum size
the TMY also won the battle over all those rigs with WW2 tank carriages (78sl, 071 etc.). For a main carriage,and long hangs,I have decided on the Eagle V
with the drum. I think it would serve us well for a long time.Some of the slopes where we'll be logging haven't been touched since Cats were skidding right down the draws back in the 50's or before,so we have to be able to yard everything from toothpicks to 6' 16s. It will be something different almost every day.
Click to expand...
I used to work under and around a tmy 45 that had the frame stretched to accommodate an Alison transmission and that thing would pull like a striped ape. We ran it with a Bowman,acme,eagle and a maki. Definitely liked it with the Bowman the best.
 
grapplewrench

grapplewrench

Active Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2018
Messages
31
Location
State of Jefferson
From the perspective of the type of wood and distances you guys are probably
going after up there,the Boman is the tool of choice.Seems like all the big tubes up there run 'em,especially the TY90s.
The Eagle V may be slower but,with 32,000 lb capacity and 700' of line it is
purpose built for the crazy terrain I will have to navigate with cable. There
will be some 3 log loads along with everything else.
A BU94 would be ideal,but our roads have a lot of steep grades and tight switchbacks,so I have to be mindful of the size of iron I try to drag into a job.
The size and weight of something on a T90 trailer I think would be on the sane
side as far as moving it in goes.
I've cut very challenging jobs with a hotsaw,crawling through the brush with a flashlight at 2 a.m. looking for marked trees,under the gun to "make my loads".
I think this first cable job will be the most challenging thing I'll have ever done,
but we'll get 'er,and we've got great help.
Thanks a bunch for the help and advise guys.
GW
 
grapplewrench

grapplewrench

Active Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2018
Messages
31
Location
State of Jefferson
Birken Vogt said:
Where in the state of Jefferson are you located?

Try and get some pictures, if you have time in between working.
Click to expand...

Yer down there in Robinson's country.They lowbeded my first Timbco 445 to it's
first job back in '97. I'm up here by Lassen. When things get rolling,I will
bring my daughter out to catch the action with her camera.She is a great
photographer,loves logging,and makes the best spicy beef jerky in the State of Jefferson.
 
B

Birken Vogt

Charter Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2003
Messages
5,324
Location
Grass Valley, Ca
My grandfather may have been the first cat skinner that worked for Robinson. Not quite sure about that story. Right after the Empire mine closed. The main shop is 5 minutes from my house. Their fuel is in my tanks and their oil and tires are on my truck.

Maybe after the secession, I will come look you up if you are needing help wrenching.

Have your daughter make some youtube videos if you can.
 
grapplewrench

grapplewrench

Active Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2018
Messages
31
Location
State of Jefferson
I know I'll need a good wrench pilot.I won't have much time myself.
Yeah,some videos would be cool.That one of the Chilton's TY90
is just about my favorite.Something like that with Lassen as the backdrop.
 
grapplewrench

grapplewrench

Active Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2018
Messages
31
Location
State of Jefferson
Great photos,thanks for posting them.
Thats an SJ2-R "mobile thinning machine" ,1000' of 3/4 and 1000' of 5/8.
Three guys could have gone out and made a living with one of those.
That little 50,000lb rig brought 'em in the landing and sent 'em out on a truck.
Very cool.The "R" meant fully rotational upper as opposed to the SJ4 (no R)
and the SJ8 that had 180 degree upper turn via a ram.
 
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P

Plebeian

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2009
Messages
434
Location
NZ
SJ-4-RT are the line specs correct? 840 ft - 3/4" mainline, 1900 ft - 1/2" haulback, 2090 ft of 5/16" strawline. 2 guylines (Just put on an extension for more distance)?
Is there any state/ authority assistance for engine upgrades?
------------------------------
Small comparison with super-yoder.
Alpine super-yoder excavator conversion (300 hp/ 90K lb excavator) requires brand new excavator for best warranty. (doosan dx300LL-5 266hp and 82K lbs or Doosan dx380LL-5 - tier 4 312hp, 114K lbs or Kobelco 350 high and wide 270 hp, 88K lbs, Madill 3000 etc )
drum specs 1740 ft - 3/4" mainline, 3444 ft of 5/8 haulback, 3280 ft of strawline. Hydraulic and mechanical interlock. German winch components. (weight after conversion @ 111K lbs with lines on & if any $ left for a full tank of diesel)
---------------
swing yarders TB tsy 6140, 230hp - 63K lbs and the T-Mar LC550 - 105K lbs (one truck shift) (Will there be a market to go back and make a new 6140 weight swing yarder again for steep tree farms - small trees?)
 
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grapplewrench

grapplewrench

Active Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2018
Messages
31
Location
State of Jefferson
Those specs are correct,and I love those 6140s,for 1500' swing grapple rigs.
If I ever work just clearcuts like I did in my hotsaw days Id buy one...or a 255.
Our tmy45 and an SJ4 with rigging and carriges together will cost half what one
of those machines will and don't have the planned obsolescence built in.

These newer machines are good for a year or two and then the cost of maint.
curve gets steep fast. That 550 is a nice rig on paper,with reputable engineers
behind it,but the CAT engine and electronics IMO should be pulled out ,just like CAT pulled out of logging.The last CATs worth owning had 3304s or 3306s in 'em. The cost of Tier 4 maint. parts in one of those Doosans would pay for a rebuild of the Allison transmission in the SJ4.
Like the 1951 Maytag Model J I wash my gloves and rags in,Skagit products were built for the long haul,because in that time,a manufacture's reputation depended on that,not government manipulating the market.
 
Hallback

Hallback

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 1, 2011
Messages
2,331
Location
Aberdeen Wa.
Occupation
Gyppo tower logger
I have to agree with you! Our swing yarder is a 1991 model and what an expensive sumbitch to maintain! The Skagit and westcoaster are reliable, run everyday machines. You can get parts for them at any local Napa and they are simple to work on. The Thunderbirds, not so much.

grapplewrench said:
Those specs are correct,and I love those 6140s,for 1500' swing grapple rigs.
If I ever work just clearcuts like I did in my hotsaw days Id buy one...or a 255.
Our tmy45 and an SJ4 with rigging and carriges together will cost half what one
of those machines will and don't have the planned obsolescence built in.

These newer machines are good for a year or two and then the cost of maint.
curve gets steep fast. That 550 is a nice rig on paper,with reputable engineers
behind it,but the CAT engine and electronics IMO should be pulled out ,just like CAT pulled out of logging.The last CATs worth owning had 3304s or 3306s in 'em. The cost of Tier 4 maint. parts in one of those Doosans would pay for a rebuild of the Allison transmission in the SJ4.
Like the 1951 Maytag Model J I wash my gloves and rags in,Skagit products were built for the long haul,because in that time,a manufacture's reputation depended on that,not government manipulating the market.
Click to expand...
 
grapplewrench

grapplewrench

Active Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2018
Messages
31
Location
State of Jefferson
Yeah,I was pleasantly surprised when I started doing a parts rundown of the SJ4.
Clark rear axles that are still made,same with the shular front,and an Allison
transmission that I could have a new one in a couple days. Rebuild kits for the
Cat 330TA are reasonable. Timkin seals and bearings all over. Napa indeed,
and you know the guys that designed these Skagits, knew that a logger appreciated that in no small way,especially in the days before cell phones.
You didn't have to wait for some technician to show up days later with a $8000 aluminum case with an lcd screen to plug in and send you a bill for a software update.
 
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