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Introduction
From humble beginnings as a blacksmith shop in Nanaimo, British Columbia in 1911, S. Madill evolved into one of the most iconic names in North American logging equipment. Known for pioneering the mobile steel spar and producing legendary yarders, Madill’s machines became synonymous with rugged forestry operations across Canada and the Pacific Northwest. This article traces the company’s journey through innovation, expansion, and eventual transformation, highlighting its most influential models and the cultural imprint it left on the logging industry.
Origins and Early Innovations
Founded by Samuel Madill, the company began by serving local logging outfits with forged tools and mechanical repairs. As mechanization swept through forestry in the mid-20th century, Madill transitioned from blacksmithing to manufacturing specialized logging equipment. Its early innovations included:
Terminology Notes
Introduced in the early 1960s, the Madill 009 yarder became the most prolific and beloved model in the company’s history. Nearly 900 units were built by 1984, with configurations mounted on:
Field Anecdote: The Forgotten Yarders of Hoonah
In 2006, two fully operational Madill 009s were scrapped in Hoonah, Alaska—driven onto a barge and dismantled en route to Seattle smelters. Their loss was mourned by local loggers who had relied on them for decades. One operator recalled how the machines had outlasted multiple crews and seasons, becoming part of the landscape.
Expansion and Diversification
Madill didn’t stop at yarders. The company ventured into:
Model Lineup and Evolution
Madill’s yarder lineup expanded across decades:
Corporate Transitions and Modern Machinery
In 1989, Pat Madill tragically died in a plane crash. The company was acquired by Cypress Ltd. of Delta, BC, which continued production under the Madill name. Machines like the Cypress 6280 were rebranded as Madill 6280s, maintaining the iconic orange paint and legacy branding.
Eventually, Modern Machinery took over the Madill line, focusing on parts support and custom builds. The Kalama, Washington plant was closed, but the brand lived on through refurbished machines and loyal operators.
Cultural Impact and Logging Lore
Madill machines weren’t just tools—they were characters in the logging narrative. Operators gave them nicknames, painted them with pride, and passed them down through generations. In shows like “Ax Men,” the Madill 071 on a tank undercarriage became a visual symbol of old-school logging grit.
Stories abound of machines tipping over due to broken guylines or uprooted stumps, only to be righted and returned to service. One operator recalled a 009 that had been moved across Alaska on a lowbed, still bearing the scars of decades in the brush.
Recommendations for Preservation and Restoration
From humble beginnings as a blacksmith shop in Nanaimo, British Columbia in 1911, S. Madill evolved into one of the most iconic names in North American logging equipment. Known for pioneering the mobile steel spar and producing legendary yarders, Madill’s machines became synonymous with rugged forestry operations across Canada and the Pacific Northwest. This article traces the company’s journey through innovation, expansion, and eventual transformation, highlighting its most influential models and the cultural imprint it left on the logging industry.
Origins and Early Innovations
Founded by Samuel Madill, the company began by serving local logging outfits with forged tools and mechanical repairs. As mechanization swept through forestry in the mid-20th century, Madill transitioned from blacksmithing to manufacturing specialized logging equipment. Its early innovations included:
- Custom-built yarders for highlead and slackline logging
- Boom boats for log sorting in coastal waters
- Heavy-duty log loaders and self-propelled carriers
Terminology Notes
- Yarder: A machine used to haul logs from the cutting site to a landing using cables and winches.
- Highlead Logging: A cable logging method using a mainline and haulback line to move logs uphill or downhill.
- Slackline Logging: A more versatile cable system that includes a skyline for longer-distance and multi-directional log movement.
- Boom Boat: A small, maneuverable vessel used to herd floating logs into booms for sorting or transport.
- Self-Propelled Carrier: A mobile platform designed to transport and operate heavy logging equipment.
Introduced in the early 1960s, the Madill 009 yarder became the most prolific and beloved model in the company’s history. Nearly 900 units were built by 1984, with configurations mounted on:
- Wooden sleds
- Military trucks and trailers
- Surplus tanks like the General Sherman
- Custom Madill carriers
Field Anecdote: The Forgotten Yarders of Hoonah
In 2006, two fully operational Madill 009s were scrapped in Hoonah, Alaska—driven onto a barge and dismantled en route to Seattle smelters. Their loss was mourned by local loggers who had relied on them for decades. One operator recalled how the machines had outlasted multiple crews and seasons, becoming part of the landscape.
Expansion and Diversification
Madill didn’t stop at yarders. The company ventured into:
- Log loaders like the Madill 075, popular for roadside loading with booms up to 130 feet
- Hydraulic swing yarders such as the 046 and 052, designed for slackline and skyline operations
- Experimental trucks and carriers, though these proved too cumbersome for widespread adoption
Model Lineup and Evolution
Madill’s yarder lineup expanded across decades:
- 1960s: 009 (highlead), 046 (slackline), 052 (skyline)
- 1970s: 071 (slackline on Terex or tank), 044 (swing grapple), 084 (oversized grapple)
- 1980s: 121, 122, 123, 144 (swing yarders of increasing size)
- 1990s: 120, 124 (hydraulic swing yarders), 172 (mobile slackline tower)
Corporate Transitions and Modern Machinery
In 1989, Pat Madill tragically died in a plane crash. The company was acquired by Cypress Ltd. of Delta, BC, which continued production under the Madill name. Machines like the Cypress 6280 were rebranded as Madill 6280s, maintaining the iconic orange paint and legacy branding.
Eventually, Modern Machinery took over the Madill line, focusing on parts support and custom builds. The Kalama, Washington plant was closed, but the brand lived on through refurbished machines and loyal operators.
Cultural Impact and Logging Lore
Madill machines weren’t just tools—they were characters in the logging narrative. Operators gave them nicknames, painted them with pride, and passed them down through generations. In shows like “Ax Men,” the Madill 071 on a tank undercarriage became a visual symbol of old-school logging grit.
Stories abound of machines tipping over due to broken guylines or uprooted stumps, only to be righted and returned to service. One operator recalled a 009 that had been moved across Alaska on a lowbed, still bearing the scars of decades in the brush.
Recommendations for Preservation and Restoration
- Document serial numbers and model history for legacy machines
- Preserve operational units for educational and heritage purposes
- Share photos and stories to maintain community knowledge
- Retrofit older units with modern safety features where feasible
- Support parts suppliers and rebuilders to keep machines running
- Madill’s journey from a blacksmith shop to a logging equipment legend is a testament to innovation, adaptability, and community. Its machines shaped the forests of North America and the lives of those who operated them. Though many have been scrapped or retired, the spirit of Madill endures—in the stories told, the photos shared, and the machines still working deep in the woods.
