To promote and support business; to improve trade and commerce; to enhance civic and social welfare in Mackenzie and area.

Trade Show 2007 May 4, 5 and 6

THE GREAT MOVE

For years, there had been talk of moving the Le Tourneau G175 Tree Crusher from Cut Thumb Creek (38.5 mile) to Mackenzie, to become one of the town's major tourist attractions.  Suggestions on how to move the Tree Crusher ranged from "driving" it through the forest, getting an army corps of engineers to move it, or that it simply could not be done.

Finally, on May 28, 1984, the Municipal Council of Mackenzie took the first positive step and appointed a "Tree Crusher Committee," led by Arnold Boomhower, to undertake the relocation of the giant piece of equipment.

The first meeting of the "Committee" took place on June 27, 1984.  Originally, it was anticipated that the move would take place in the summer of 1985, but after the committee members reported back to the second meeting, it was discovered that the equipment and manpower were readily available.  Therefore, the move was scheduled for Friday, October 19, 1984.

In short, British Columbia Forest Products Limited was responsible for the disassembly and reassembly of the Tree Crusher; Finlay Forest Industries Ltd. arranged the transportation of the six massive parts; the Municipality prepared the site on Mackenzie Boulevard; and the Ministry of Forests provided pilot vehicles, crowd control, and security.  All time and equipment were donated.

From 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., two cranes loaded the six massive pieces of the Tree Crusher onto two low beds, two high boys, and two logging trucks.  At 2:30 p.m., the convoy, complete with pilot vehicles, wound its way down the Parsnip North Forest Service Road to the Municipal Yard, arriving at 3:45 p.m.  Here they remained overnight.  Over the next two days, the Tree Crusher was reassembled on its new site on Mackenzie Boulevard.  It seemed like half of the population of Mackenzie was snapping pictures of the several phases of reassembly.  Camera film was at a premium, and the stock in local stores quickly sold out.

The Le Tourneau G175 Tree Crusher

HISTORY OF THE TREE CRUSHER

The Le Tourneau G175 Tree Crusher, similar in principle to a steamroller, was fabricated in Louisiana, USA in 1960.  On November 9, 1964, the machine arrived at Kennedy Siding on six flat cars.  It required four days to unload and assemble.

From November 21, 1964, to December 9, 1964, an attempt was made to drive the machine across country to the work area, which was approximately four miles away.  Various problems were encountered:  the machine got stuck a number of times; one hill had to be cut before the machine could climb it; the weather took a turn for the worse, and the rollers iced up stopping all further activity.  The machine was left for the winter about two and one-half miles in from the assembly site.

During the first part of the summer of 1965, the machine was plagued with troubles.  It became stuck a number of times, and mechanical failures were common.  A total of 340 acres were downed from mid-May to the end of July.

During the latter part of the summer, production was increased and the whole operation began to function more smoothly.  From August 1, 1965, to November 17, 1965, the Tree Crusher downed 2,250 acres.  The Tree Crusher operation was shut down for the winter at Cut Thumb Creek on November 17, 1965.  And now you know the rest of the story!

The G175 Le Tourneau Tree Crusher in action, circa 1965.

THE LE TOURNEAU G175 TREE CRUSHER

General Information

THE MACHINE

Manufactured by Le Tourneau, the machine is electrically powered.  It is similar in principle to a steamroller.  The main components are two, 8' diameter by 30', grouser covered rollers, connected by a mainframe assembly.  Steering is achieved by angular rotation of the front roller assembly.

The G175 is the only self-powered tree-crushing machine of this size.  It was fabricated in Louisiana, USA, with the main components being manufactured in Longview, TX.  It was experimentally in Louisiana where it cleared about 4,800 acres.  It was then shipped to Thurso, Québec, where it cleared a nominal amount of acres before being shipped in November 1964 to BC for clearing experiments in the Pondage area of the Peace River Power Project.

QUICK FACTS

PURPOSE

The Tree Crusher is designed specifically for land clearing.  It has no other use.  As advertised by Le Tourneau the purpose of the machine is to:

TREE CRUSHER COMMITTEE

VOLUNTEERS

To all those volunteers who worked collectively to bring Mackenzie's major tourist attraction to its rightful home, Thank You.

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Copyright © 2006 Mackenzie Chamber of Commerce
Last modified: January 17, 2007