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

Contract Logger

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He's back! I have a few pictures of this model too from a logging company right next to Willapa Logging in South Bend.

Great pics Jeremy. I have seen a zillion of these but really struggled to find any decent pictures! I have a box of them someplace. Anyway you bailed me out on this one- nice pics.

Also- the access cover on one track is missing and I see blue paint inside there....

The tan color scheme was introduced by Thunderbird on thier machines in 1983/84, and was copied by Ross from Ketchikan Pulp Company- who had been using this color scheme since the mid-70's. I hate to use the word 'copied', but, well, you know.

Thanks for the pics- post more if you have them!
 

Contract Logger

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Here are a couple pics of the PSY-200 swing yarders. They were painted blue-and-yellow and blue-and-white in the beginnings. Most have been repainted tan by now.
 

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Contract Logger

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The Thunderbird TMY-50 quickly became the rave of the NW contract loggers. Small, fast, highway-legal moves, it was an incredible machine for its size. Sales took off, and soon the were working in every corner of the NW. They could be ordered with Cat, Cummins, or Detroit Power.

All of the machines built were on 4-axle rubber, except for one which was custom-built for More Log Inc. Pics of this machine to follow.
 

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Contract Logger

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SW Washington, SE Alaska
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Here are some pics of the only TMY-50 that was put on tracks. I'll have to come back later with the serial number and delivery date. I cannot find my Thunderbird builders list copies right this second. The originals are in a safe location my Washington State residence.
 

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JeremyM70

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376
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SW Washington
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Great pics Jeremy. I have seen a zillion of these but really struggled to find any decent pictures! I have a box of them someplace. Anyway you bailed me out on this one- nice pics.

Also- the access cover on one track is missing and I see blue paint inside there....

The tan color scheme was introduced by Thunderbird on thier machines in 1983/84, and was copied by Ross from Ketchikan Pulp Company- who had been using this color scheme since the mid-70's. I hate to use the word 'copied', but, well, you know.

Thanks for the pics- post more if you have them!

This was the only pictures I had, I did kind of a quick hit and run. I was looking for a model/serial plate as I had no idea what model it was, but the yarder was sitting in the middle of about a foot of water.
 

Contract Logger

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Thunderbird TMY-70, TTY-70

Well it didnt take too long for the TMY-50 to get re-designed and upgraded to a 70' telescoping tower and 5 guylines (up from 4, the TMY-45 only had 3), and named the TMY-70. These were offered on tracks as well, lots were built this way, and the track version was called the TTY-70, or 'Thunderbird Track Yarder 70'. I guess TMY was OK for a track 45 but not a track 70.

These machines were great and for awhile the were being ordered at a rate much faster than they could be delivered.

Weyerhaeuser bought a fleet of them on both tracks and rubber.
 

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JeremyM70

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Ty90 (ty80-sp) ?

This is an interesting one CL, maybe you have some insight? The name plate says TY80-SP, but has TY90 on the outside decals. It's in pieces at the JM Browning yard outside of Astoria.
 

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Contract Logger

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Thunderbird TMY-70 S/N R-7056

TMY-70 S/N R-7056.
This machine was purchased new by L. Jepson and Sons of McMinnville Ore in 1987 to be used on thier logging operations at Clatskanie/Vernonia for Longview Fibre Company. I have pictures of it brand new I took in 87' someplace, and various pics of it throughout its life as I was around it often. They logged with it up until this year and in March of 2010 it was sold to Mike Papac of Montesano Wash for his logging operations at Craig, Alaska. 3 weeks ago I was on location in Craig (naturally) and took these pics for your viewing pleasure. Mike has several other yarders in Alaska including an 071, a TMY-45, and a big Berger Marc 2. He is logging for Viking Lumber of Craig on this job and is one of the last outfits logging in Alaska today.

I will continue to follow this yarder as I have in the past, and I cannot say too much right now, but Axe-Men is here filming right now and you will be able to see this machine in action in Alaska on the next season's lineup.
 

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JeremyM70

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more TY80-SP

TY80-SP at Brownings
Looks like Wimer Logging of Albany Oregon, related to Willamette Industries I think, who was later bought out by Weyco.
 

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JeremyM70

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TMY-70 S/N R-7056.
This machine was purchased new by L. Jepson and Sons of McMinnville Ore in 1987 to be used on thier logging operations at Clatskanie/Vernonia for Longview Fibre Company. I have pictures of it brand new I took in 87' someplace, and various pics of it throughout its life as I was around it often. They logged with it up until this year and in March of 2010 it was sold to Mike Papac of Montesano Wash for his logging operations at Craig, Alaska. 3 weeks ago I was on location in Craig (naturally) and took these pics for your viewing pleasure. Mike has several other yarders in Alaska including an 071, a TMY-45, and a big Berger Marc 2. He is logging for Viking Lumber of Craig on this job and is one of the last outfits logging in Alaska today.

I will continue to follow this yarder as I have in the past, and I cannot say too much right now, but Axe-Men is here filming right now and you will be able to see this machine in action in Alaska on the next season's lineup.

Very nice, I have a friend who drives chip truck for Jepson. Axemen in Alaska, I guess that's better than in Florida or Louisiana.

Do you know what kind of yarder Teevin Brothers has? I didn't know they even had one until the other day I heard them talking about it being down on their radio channel.
 

Contract Logger

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Very nice, I have a friend who drives chip truck for Jepson. Axemen in Alaska, I guess that's better than in Florida or Louisiana.

Do you know what kind of yarder Teevin Brothers has? I didn't know they even had one until the other day I heard them talking about it being down on their radio channel.

Shawn Teevin has owned many yarders over the years. I dont know how many yarders he is running right now, but they had a Skagit GT-3 working at Gnat Creek not long ago.
 

Contract Logger

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Boy, this old girl is looking sad.

In the late 1960's Wimer Logging Company of Sweet Home Ore was logging with several Washington 208's all over Oregon- mostly in the old growth in the Cascades in those days. By 1988, these 208's were well worn out and it was time to do something about it. The decision was made to strip the 208's down to the frames and put new TY-90 hoists on the carriers. The carriers were shortened by 3 feet, and the TY90 hoists were designed with downdrives to accomodate the Washington- to get the pwer from the transmission to the Clark BD series drive axles you see here. It worked really well. The carrier, guyline drums, and 110' tower were old reconditioned Washington 208, and the brand new Thunderbird TY-90 yarding hoist was bolted on and the whole rig was painted TB colors. The yarder in your picture was on proud display at the Eugene OLC show that year (1988) and I have scanned the pic so you can see how beautiful she was in her day!

In all, 4 Washington 208 yarders were converted over to TY-90 Thunderbirds. 2 were built for Wimer Logging, and a third for Fred A. Moore of Junction City Ore. The 4th of these was painted yellow and was a beautiful machine- sold to Bill Bremmeyer of Ravensdale Washington in 1989. It was the only TY-90 painted yellow brand new.

I have attached some pics of this machine in 1987 (show) and 1988 (working).
 

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Contract Logger

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Contract Logger, I have an off-topic question for you what type of equipment do you own/run now?

None at all, being run or used anyway. I just buy/sell/broker whatever to whoever. Some people enjoy flipping houses, I enjoy flipping machinery. Most of my clients now are tribal and municipal contractors, though there are a few loggers left.

I have a few items leftover from the logging days, mostly for sentimental value. I do enjoy trucks and have a few of those around yet also.

I am working now on a KW C-500 Brute lowbed truck, for shows and parades.

The last round of new log loaders I bought were Cats. I dont think Cat has the best product but thier service and parts availability can't be beat. You can buy Cat reman components literally anywhere, anytime. They are just more available, which meant more uptime for us.
 
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Contract Logger

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Here are a few more pics of that Thunderbird TY-90 Yarder, Washington Iron Works Carrier and Tower. If you dont have many highway moves these were great. Over the highway moving is tough, as the tower has to come off, cab, steer tires are removed and a 5th wheel gooseneck installed to pull the whole works behind a lowbed tractor.
 

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JeremyM70

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Shawn Teevin has owned many yarders over the years. I dont know how many yarders he is running right now, but they had a Skagit GT-3 working at Gnat Creek not long ago.

Thanks for the yarder info, Teevin's must have a job nearby, at least a trucking one, as I have been seeing their trucks alot coming thru town. DNR has opened up a bunch of timber sales in the area lately.
 

jm89

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None at all, being run or used anyway. I just buy/sell/broker whatever to whoever. Some people enjoy flipping houses, I enjoy flipping machinery. Most of my clients now are tribal and municipal contractors, though there are a few loggers left.

I have a few items leftover from the logging days, mostly for sentimental value. I do enjoy trucks and have a few of those around yet also.

I am working now on a KW C-500 Brute lowbed truck, for shows and parades.

The last round of new log loaders I bought were Cats. I dont think Cat has the best product but thier service and parts availability can't be beat. You can buy Cat reman components literally anywhere, anytime. They are just more available, which meant more uptime for us.


That sounds like a interesting gig, Do you have any pics of th KW?
 

JeremyM70

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Messages
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Boy, this old girl is looking sad.

In the late 1960's Wimer Logging Company of Sweet Home Ore was logging with several Washington 208's all over Oregon- mostly in the old growth in the Cascades in those days. By 1988, these 208's were well worn out and it was time to do something about it. The decision was made to strip the 208's down to the frames and put new TY-90 hoists on the carriers. The carriers were shortened by 3 feet, and the TY90 hoists were designed with downdrives to accomodate the Washington- to get the pwer from the transmission to the Clark BD series drive axles you see here. It worked really well. The carrier, guyline drums, and 110' tower were old reconditioned Washington 208, and the brand new Thunderbird TY-90 yarding hoist was bolted on and the whole rig was painted TB colors. The yarder in your picture was on proud display at the Eugene OLC show that year (1988) and I have scanned the pic so you can see how beautiful she was in her day!

In all, 4 Washington 208 yarders were converted over to TY-90 Thunderbirds. 2 were built for Wimer Logging, and a third for Fred A. Moore of Junction City Ore. The 4th of these was painted yellow and was a beautiful machine- sold to Bill Bremmeyer of Ravensdale Washington in 1989. It was the only TY-90 painted yellow brand new.

I have attached some pics of this machine in 1987 (show) and 1988 (working).

You are just a wealth of information! So apparently the SP was for SPecial? I had heard from the shop foreman that they were getting rid of it last year, but it was still there as of a month ago hiding behind their BU-737
 

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72V

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Boy, this old girl is looking sad.

In the late 1960's Wimer Logging Company of Sweet Home Ore was logging with several Washington 208's all over Oregon- mostly in the old growth in the Cascades in those days. By 1988, these 208's were well worn out and it was time to do something about it. The decision was made to strip the 208's down to the frames and put new TY-90 hoists on the carriers. The carriers were shortened by 3 feet, and the TY90 hoists were designed with downdrives to accomodate the Washington- to get the pwer from the transmission to the Clark BD series drive axles you see here. It worked really well. The carrier, guyline drums, and 110' tower were old reconditioned Washington 208, and the brand new Thunderbird TY-90 yarding hoist was bolted on and the whole rig was painted TB colors. The yarder in your picture was on proud display at the Eugene OLC show that year (1988) and I have scanned the pic so you can see how beautiful she was in her day!

In all, 4 Washington 208 yarders were converted over to TY-90 Thunderbirds. 2 were built for Wimer Logging, and a third for Fred A. Moore of Junction City Ore. The 4th of these was painted yellow and was a beautiful machine- sold to Bill Bremmeyer of Ravensdale Washington in 1989. It was the only TY-90 painted yellow brand new.

I have attached some pics of this machine in 1987 (show) and 1988 (working).
Wouldn't that be Fred Moore Logging of Mill City? I'd never heard of them being in Junction City.
 

JeremyM70

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Jeremy, are those two Thunderbirds still for sale? Just curious. Thanks for your assistance.

Stingray

Yes they are, found out who is trying to sell them. The TY80 and BU739 are at the freeway still and the TY90 is at the gravel company a few miles away.

PM me for details.
 

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