SAGINAW AND MANISTEE; MECHANIZED OPERATIONS 1928-1941

October 12, 2021

SAGINAW AND MANISTEE; MECHANIZED OPERATIONS 1928-1941

The Saginaw and Manistee Lumber Company was no foreigner to the idea of modernizing operations. Throughout their history, the Company strove to improve and modernize the mill and logging operations whenever it meant additional profit and greater efficiencies. Auditors continually monitored and made recommendations, while the superintendents introduced the new innovations in the woods or at the mill.

A major technological shift was taking hold across the the United States. The age of the Industrial Revolution was giving way, or more appropriately evolving, into the Mechanized Revolution (so ascribed by the author.) Horses and wagons were soon to be replaced by the automobile for passengers, and the truck for transporting goods. For the logging operations in the high country, the adoption of the truck would spell the beginning of the end to the reign of the iron horse.

Starting in 1928, major changes occurred in the woods operations. The last of the "Big-Wheel" logging horse teams were sold; they were replaced by mechanized equipment. It is worth noting that in 1930 some horse teams were still in use at Tusayan. A blacksmith and hay car were provided to keep the animals in prime condition. These teams appear to have provided support for the camp, as Caterpillars had taken over harvesting operations.

At first introduced on a small scale, the evolution to mechanized logging practices began to take hold. Caterpillar model 30 and 60 tractors pulled the logs to the loading sites in the woods. Trucks took over the the haul from the south of Williams to the mill complex. Where practical, trucks hauled the logs to other railroad spurs (Fuchs 23, 273; Stein E-9.)

As early as 1925, the company was purchasing vehicles. These consisted mostly of used vehicles, such as Ford trucks, touring cars, etc. In November 1928, the S&M began modernizing in earnest, with the purchase of eighteen Model 30 and 60 Caterpillar tractors from Arizona Tractor and Equipment Company (the sales manager must have had a very good day, collecting the sales commission on so many machines.) In May of 1929 two additional Model 60s were purchased (MS No 84, box 15 of 15, S&M Collection, folder 518, Cline Archives.)

The company maintained a good relationship with the Caterpillar brand. However, in December of 1929 they purchased an Allis-Chalmers "75" Logging Tractor for $6482.60. Additionally a Model "Y" Isaacson Hoist Arch Top was purchased for $1688.40. This may be the first reference of using an arch device to pull logs from the Company's land. According to the records, the purchase of the new Allis-Chalmers was a one-time event. Cats dominated the woods in Saginaw country.

The Balance Sheet of January 1, 1932 (included in the December 25, 1932 Report) shows the purchase of three Model 60 Caterpillars for $15279.95, and one Adams Leaning Wheel Grader for Railroad (operations) at $2040.00. An interesting entry is for Donations at $418.15, going to various churches and civic organizations. The Company may be frugal, but they did remember their local community of Williams.

In 1936, the Company spent $63,701.12 on three Caterpillar tractors, twelve White Truck (manufacturer) logging trucks and trailers, and one Ross Lumber Carrier. The Company was then harvesting an area called the "south area operations," and it was lamented that the wet weather had affected production, "a disadvantage over railroad logging, which was the method used by the Company prior to 1936 ( 16th Annual Report, Saginaw and Manistee Lumber Company-1936; MS No 84, Box 12 of 15, pages 4,5; S&M Collection, NAU Archives.) "

In January of 1937 company records indicate that they owned 12 - 1936 White Truck log bolsters, and 13- homemade semi-trailer bolsters (Box 15, folder 519.) Additional trucks were purchased, with 2 GMC T-23HB trucks in July of 1937. This would indicate that the company had a significant fleet of logging trucks roaming the woods and highways of the Williams area. It would be of interest to find a photograph of one of these trucks.