8 hours ago
The Rise of the Super Snorkel Line Loader
The Super Snorkel is a specialized line loader used in steep-slope logging operations, particularly in the Pacific Northwest and parts of British Columbia. Developed during the height of cable logging’s dominance, these machines were engineered to combine the reach of a tower yarder with the mobility of a tracked loader. Their defining feature is an extended boom—often exceeding 60 feet—mounted on a crawler base, allowing them to yard logs from deep draws and load trucks with precision.
Manufacturers like Madill, Washington Iron Works, and Cypress produced various models of Super Snorkels throughout the 1970s and 1980s. These machines were often custom-built or heavily modified in the field to suit specific terrain and timber profiles. At their peak, dozens operated across North America, especially in regions where helicopter logging was impractical and traditional tower yarders were too cumbersome.
Operating a Super Snorkel
Running a Super Snorkel requires a unique blend of finesse and spatial awareness. Unlike standard loaders, the extended boom makes the machine sensitive to road grade and balance. Operators must constantly monitor boom angle, cable tension, and machine stability—especially when working near road edges or on narrow landings.
The controls resemble those of a conventional line loader, but with added complexity due to the boom’s reach and the grapple’s swing radius. Skilled operators can yard logs from over 100 feet away, sort multiple species, and load trucks with minimal repositioning. The job demands high situational awareness and a deep understanding of terrain, timber weight, and cable dynamics.
One veteran operator described the experience as “the best job in the woods,” noting that the machine’s capabilities allowed him to work efficiently in areas where other equipment would struggle. He recalled walking his machine over 10 kilometers to reach a new site, preferring the hike over the risk of lowbed transport on narrow roads.
Decline and Displacement
Despite their effectiveness, Super Snorkels are becoming increasingly rare. The shift toward direct haul operations, narrower road construction, and smaller truck configurations has reduced the need for large-scale dryland sorts and grapple yarding. Logging companies now favor shovel logging, processor-forwarder systems, and smaller, more agile machines that can navigate tighter corridors.
The transition is driven by economic and logistical pressures. Highway trucks, which are only 8 feet wide, require narrower roads than the 11–12-foot-wide off-highway rigs used in the past. As a result, landings are smaller, and the infrastructure no longer supports the size and weight of Super Snorkels.
In some regions, companies like IPL have been sidelined by contract disputes and shifting priorities from major timber buyers. With fewer opportunities for traditional yarding, Super Snorkels sit idle, awaiting legal resolution or sale. Operators and mechanics worry that these machines will be scrapped or forgotten, despite their historical significance and remaining utility.
Preservation and Sentiment
Among logging veterans, Super Snorkels evoke deep respect. Watching a skilled operator maneuver one is considered an art form, honed over decades of experience. The machines themselves are seen as endangered species—symbols of a bygone era when cable logging ruled the forest.
Some operators have begun documenting their machines through photos and videos, hoping to preserve their legacy. Others advocate for museums or heritage fleets to keep the machines operational for demonstration and training purposes. The sentiment is clear: these machines deserve recognition before they vanish completely.
One retired logger reminisced about pushing line loaders onto lowbeds with HDX or P16 trucks, navigating hairpin corners and narrow bridges. He noted that today’s hydraulic machines wear out their undercarriages faster than the old mechanical loaders, which could last decades with proper greasing and occasional rebuilds.
Modern Alternatives and Adaptation
While Super Snorkels are fading, their influence lives on in modern forestry equipment. Track-mounted yarders, swing boom processors, and long-reach loaders borrow elements of their design. However, none match the combination of reach, power, and cable control that defined the Super Snorkel.
For operations that still require long-distance yarding, some companies retrofit excavators with extended booms and grapple systems. These hybrids offer partial solutions but lack the stability and precision of purpose-built snorkels.
To adapt, operators recommend:
Super Snorkels once stood as giants in the forest, bridging the gap between tower yarders and mobile loaders. Their decline reflects broader changes in logging logistics, equipment design, and market demands. Yet for those who ran them, maintained them, and watched them work, the Super Snorkel remains a symbol of ingenuity, skill, and the golden age of cable logging. As the industry evolves, remembering and honoring these machines ensures that their legacy continues—even if their tracks no longer carve through the timber roads.
The Super Snorkel is a specialized line loader used in steep-slope logging operations, particularly in the Pacific Northwest and parts of British Columbia. Developed during the height of cable logging’s dominance, these machines were engineered to combine the reach of a tower yarder with the mobility of a tracked loader. Their defining feature is an extended boom—often exceeding 60 feet—mounted on a crawler base, allowing them to yard logs from deep draws and load trucks with precision.
Manufacturers like Madill, Washington Iron Works, and Cypress produced various models of Super Snorkels throughout the 1970s and 1980s. These machines were often custom-built or heavily modified in the field to suit specific terrain and timber profiles. At their peak, dozens operated across North America, especially in regions where helicopter logging was impractical and traditional tower yarders were too cumbersome.
Operating a Super Snorkel
Running a Super Snorkel requires a unique blend of finesse and spatial awareness. Unlike standard loaders, the extended boom makes the machine sensitive to road grade and balance. Operators must constantly monitor boom angle, cable tension, and machine stability—especially when working near road edges or on narrow landings.
The controls resemble those of a conventional line loader, but with added complexity due to the boom’s reach and the grapple’s swing radius. Skilled operators can yard logs from over 100 feet away, sort multiple species, and load trucks with minimal repositioning. The job demands high situational awareness and a deep understanding of terrain, timber weight, and cable dynamics.
One veteran operator described the experience as “the best job in the woods,” noting that the machine’s capabilities allowed him to work efficiently in areas where other equipment would struggle. He recalled walking his machine over 10 kilometers to reach a new site, preferring the hike over the risk of lowbed transport on narrow roads.
Decline and Displacement
Despite their effectiveness, Super Snorkels are becoming increasingly rare. The shift toward direct haul operations, narrower road construction, and smaller truck configurations has reduced the need for large-scale dryland sorts and grapple yarding. Logging companies now favor shovel logging, processor-forwarder systems, and smaller, more agile machines that can navigate tighter corridors.
The transition is driven by economic and logistical pressures. Highway trucks, which are only 8 feet wide, require narrower roads than the 11–12-foot-wide off-highway rigs used in the past. As a result, landings are smaller, and the infrastructure no longer supports the size and weight of Super Snorkels.
In some regions, companies like IPL have been sidelined by contract disputes and shifting priorities from major timber buyers. With fewer opportunities for traditional yarding, Super Snorkels sit idle, awaiting legal resolution or sale. Operators and mechanics worry that these machines will be scrapped or forgotten, despite their historical significance and remaining utility.
Preservation and Sentiment
Among logging veterans, Super Snorkels evoke deep respect. Watching a skilled operator maneuver one is considered an art form, honed over decades of experience. The machines themselves are seen as endangered species—symbols of a bygone era when cable logging ruled the forest.
Some operators have begun documenting their machines through photos and videos, hoping to preserve their legacy. Others advocate for museums or heritage fleets to keep the machines operational for demonstration and training purposes. The sentiment is clear: these machines deserve recognition before they vanish completely.
One retired logger reminisced about pushing line loaders onto lowbeds with HDX or P16 trucks, navigating hairpin corners and narrow bridges. He noted that today’s hydraulic machines wear out their undercarriages faster than the old mechanical loaders, which could last decades with proper greasing and occasional rebuilds.
Modern Alternatives and Adaptation
While Super Snorkels are fading, their influence lives on in modern forestry equipment. Track-mounted yarders, swing boom processors, and long-reach loaders borrow elements of their design. However, none match the combination of reach, power, and cable control that defined the Super Snorkel.
For operations that still require long-distance yarding, some companies retrofit excavators with extended booms and grapple systems. These hybrids offer partial solutions but lack the stability and precision of purpose-built snorkels.
To adapt, operators recommend:
- Investing in modular grapple systems for smaller machines
- Using drone mapping to optimize landing placement
- Training younger operators in cable techniques before the knowledge disappears
- Preserving one or two snorkels per region for specialty work and education
Super Snorkels once stood as giants in the forest, bridging the gap between tower yarders and mobile loaders. Their decline reflects broader changes in logging logistics, equipment design, and market demands. Yet for those who ran them, maintained them, and watched them work, the Super Snorkel remains a symbol of ingenuity, skill, and the golden age of cable logging. As the industry evolves, remembering and honoring these machines ensures that their legacy continues—even if their tracks no longer carve through the timber roads.
