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

Rusty Grapple

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2011
Messages
117
Location
Alaska
There were only a couple of those ty80 Slackline machines built. Eric Krume has the other one here in Southwest Washington.
1 highlead and 3 TY-80 slacklines were built. One is currently with Krume (Castle Rock, Wa), one is currently with Dancer (Camas valley Ore), and the 3rd went new to NZ and has always remained there.

The slackline machine Krume has (SN Y8038) was new to Weyerhaeuser in Cottage Grove Oregon
The slackline machine Dancer has (SN Y8037) was new to PLS at Randle, Wa then bought by Weyco Cosi from PLS in 1998. Dancer picked it up a couple years ago.
The slackline machine in NZ (SN Y8036) was sold new to PND Logging in 1992.

The other (and first built) TY-80 (SN Y-8035) is the highlead machine that Weyco Raymond ordered new, currently with Wallace at Toledo Wa.
 

Rusty Grapple

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2011
Messages
117
Location
Alaska
Just a quick question. The 6355 operators manual states


Pull clutches are hydraulic operated, 26” dia x 7” wide internal expanding BFG located outside of main frame. Machines with S/N S5188 and previous use air-operated, 36” diameter x 5” wide internal expanding shoe style.

So how many machines were built after S5188?

Only one serial number appears on my printed list after S5188, and it is S5189. There is no owner or ship date shown, so at the time my list was printed, it may still have been new in inventory. My digital list shows that it went to Finning in September of 1999. There is no record of who they sold it to. Finning was the Thunderbird dealer in Canada so it ended up in BC somewhere after that.
 

John C.

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2007
Messages
12,865
Location
Northwest
Occupation
Machinery & Equipment Appraiser
I spent a long day and early evening changing a pump in a Komatsu with Jerry many year ago. Later he took over the service manager job from Mike Knight who was moved over to the truck boss job. Is Weyerhaeuser Cosy shut down now? Are they still working the woods in the Aberdeen area?
 

Hallback

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 1, 2011
Messages
2,306
Location
Aberdeen Wa.
Occupation
Gyppo tower logger
No, Cosi is still running but they just call it Weyerhaeuser Aberdeen Timberlands now. They have no more yarders and no more boots on the ground. It was bittersweet moving that yarder out of there today as I was happy to get it but sad for the conditions why I was able to get it.
 

John C.

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2007
Messages
12,865
Location
Northwest
Occupation
Machinery & Equipment Appraiser
I've worked with two generations of mechanics out there and guess that I'm a third generation. I haven't been out there in about ten years so wonder what the fourth is and the fifth generation will be like. I agree about it being bittersweet and having a lot of feelings of nostalgia for my years of running in the service truck down on the harbor. I met a lot of really good people out there. Worked on machines in the saw mill when I started, down at the sort yard shop and the woods shop for Cozy before I moved out of the truck and on to my own path. Lots of jobs in that area lost in the last twenty years.
 

Hallback

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 1, 2011
Messages
2,306
Location
Aberdeen Wa.
Occupation
Gyppo tower logger
I lied, it has a Cummins 10.

It is a 1990 model TSY 155. It has a 55 foot boom it has Detroit 8V-71 T power and an Allison Transmission. It is setup to run MSP running skyline or grapplw yard. It is not designed for standing Skyline yarding in its current configuration.
 

Hallback

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 1, 2011
Messages
2,306
Location
Aberdeen Wa.
Occupation
Gyppo tower logger
Today I received Factory manuals that have never even been opened for Thunderbird swing yarder and 800, 900, 1100 and 1200 series loaders. I am beyond grateful and thankful to have received these. They are in mint Immaculate condition and I found these inside of them as I thumbed20190914_181317.jpg 20190914_181317.jpg 20190914_181412.jpg 20190914_181422.jpg 20190914_181519.jpg 20190914_181317.jpg 20190914_181412.jpg 20190914_181422.jpg 20190914_181519.jpg through.
 

cubanator

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2013
Messages
50
Location
WA
Didn't realize TB made Shovels that big... I know they made beasts but dang! Any pics of Road Builders on those larger carriages?
 

Hallback

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 1, 2011
Messages
2,306
Location
Aberdeen Wa.
Occupation
Gyppo tower logger
Looks good! They obviously don't have any height restrictions when moving because that cab doesn't look like it tilts? The one thing I do not like is the main line and skyline sheave/threading at the top of the tower how they changed them.
 
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