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Origins of the Pierce Tower
In the 1970s, Pierce Pacific Manufacturing—based in Portland, Oregon—ventured into the design and production of specialized logging towers. These vertical steel structures, often referred to as yarders or tower yarders, were engineered to support cable logging operations in steep terrain. While Pierce was already known for its hydraulic attachments and forestry conversions, the tower yarder represented a bold move into high-line logging systems. Only a handful of these towers were ever built, with most deployed in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.
Pierce Pacific, founded in the mid-20th century, had a reputation for building rugged, purpose-built machinery for rail, forestry, and demolition. Their tower yarders were designed to compete with established names like Berger, Madill, and Skagit, but production remained limited—likely fewer than five units were ever completed.
Terminology Clarification
Most Pierce towers were used in Alaska, where vast tracts of timber and remote terrain made cable logging essential. A few units were also spotted in Washington state, including one repurposed as a signpost in Yelm—a creative reuse that saved it from the scrapyard. These towers were known for their height and heavy-duty construction, often exceeding 70 feet and weighing several tons.
In Aberdeen, Washington, one tower was installed by Bill Paulson, a respected yarder operator and owner of McPaul Cat & Crane. Paulson was known for his deep knowledge of tower systems and played a key role in deploying Pierce towers in the region. His storage yard once housed one of these rare machines, a testament to their durability and niche appeal.
Design Features and Engineering Challenges
Pierce towers were built with modular steel sections, allowing for transport and assembly in rugged terrain. Their drum winches were powered by diesel engines, and the towers featured multiple guy line anchor points for stability. Unlike some yarders that used telescoping masts, Pierce towers were fixed-height, requiring careful planning during setup.
Challenges included:
Decline and Disappearance
By the late 1980s, tower yarders began to decline in popularity as helicopter logging and mechanized ground-based systems gained traction. The cost of transporting and maintaining towers, combined with environmental regulations and changing timber practices, led many units to be scrapped or repurposed.
One Pierce tower in Washington was reportedly dismantled and sold for scrap, while another was converted into a permanent landmark. The lack of advertising and documentation from the 1970s has made these machines difficult to trace. Unlike Madill or Berger, Pierce never mass-produced their towers, and few photos or spec sheets remain.
Preservation and Historical Value
Today, surviving Pierce towers are rare artifacts of a transitional period in logging history. Their design reflects the ingenuity of regional manufacturers responding to the demands of steep-slope forestry. Enthusiasts and historians have begun documenting these machines, often relying on personal recollections and field sightings.
Recommendations for preservation include:
Conclusion
The Pierce tower yarders were bold, functional, and built for the unforgiving terrain of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Though few were made, their impact on cable logging operations was notable. As the industry continues to modernize, remembering and preserving these machines offers a window into the craftsmanship and challenges of a bygone era.
In the 1970s, Pierce Pacific Manufacturing—based in Portland, Oregon—ventured into the design and production of specialized logging towers. These vertical steel structures, often referred to as yarders or tower yarders, were engineered to support cable logging operations in steep terrain. While Pierce was already known for its hydraulic attachments and forestry conversions, the tower yarder represented a bold move into high-line logging systems. Only a handful of these towers were ever built, with most deployed in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.
Pierce Pacific, founded in the mid-20th century, had a reputation for building rugged, purpose-built machinery for rail, forestry, and demolition. Their tower yarders were designed to compete with established names like Berger, Madill, and Skagit, but production remained limited—likely fewer than five units were ever completed.
Terminology Clarification
- Tower Yarder: A vertical steel structure used in cable logging to support skyline and haulback lines.
- Skyline Logging: A method where logs are suspended and transported via cables over long distances.
- Guy Lines: Steel cables anchored to the ground to stabilize the tower during operation.
- Drum Winch: A rotating spool used to control cable tension and movement.
- Landing: The area where logs are gathered after being yarded in.
Most Pierce towers were used in Alaska, where vast tracts of timber and remote terrain made cable logging essential. A few units were also spotted in Washington state, including one repurposed as a signpost in Yelm—a creative reuse that saved it from the scrapyard. These towers were known for their height and heavy-duty construction, often exceeding 70 feet and weighing several tons.
In Aberdeen, Washington, one tower was installed by Bill Paulson, a respected yarder operator and owner of McPaul Cat & Crane. Paulson was known for his deep knowledge of tower systems and played a key role in deploying Pierce towers in the region. His storage yard once housed one of these rare machines, a testament to their durability and niche appeal.
Design Features and Engineering Challenges
Pierce towers were built with modular steel sections, allowing for transport and assembly in rugged terrain. Their drum winches were powered by diesel engines, and the towers featured multiple guy line anchor points for stability. Unlike some yarders that used telescoping masts, Pierce towers were fixed-height, requiring careful planning during setup.
Challenges included:
- Transporting the tower to remote landings
- Anchoring guy lines in rocky or unstable soil
- Coordinating skyline rigging with ground crews
- Maintaining winch systems in harsh weather
Decline and Disappearance
By the late 1980s, tower yarders began to decline in popularity as helicopter logging and mechanized ground-based systems gained traction. The cost of transporting and maintaining towers, combined with environmental regulations and changing timber practices, led many units to be scrapped or repurposed.
One Pierce tower in Washington was reportedly dismantled and sold for scrap, while another was converted into a permanent landmark. The lack of advertising and documentation from the 1970s has made these machines difficult to trace. Unlike Madill or Berger, Pierce never mass-produced their towers, and few photos or spec sheets remain.
Preservation and Historical Value
Today, surviving Pierce towers are rare artifacts of a transitional period in logging history. Their design reflects the ingenuity of regional manufacturers responding to the demands of steep-slope forestry. Enthusiasts and historians have begun documenting these machines, often relying on personal recollections and field sightings.
Recommendations for preservation include:
- Photographing and cataloging surviving units
- Interviewing retired operators and riggers
- Archiving technical drawings and manuals
- Collaborating with museums and forestry schools
Conclusion
The Pierce tower yarders were bold, functional, and built for the unforgiving terrain of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Though few were made, their impact on cable logging operations was notable. As the industry continues to modernize, remembering and preserving these machines offers a window into the craftsmanship and challenges of a bygone era.
