I have been researching the last dozen or so McGiffert log loaders built. These run from 1926 into the 1930s. Since the remaining records end in 1927 information after that is hard to find. I would be glad to share what I have and would welcome any additional information. The last known McGiffert built went new to the USSR.

I don't know if there are ex-Soviet historical sources for information on their logging equipment, or any historical museums, but I would be very surprised if they did not reverse-engineer the McGiffert and put it into production for themselves, just as they did with the B-29, the Alco 539 engine, and other things.

If they did the job the same way as the 539, in fact (the copy still had the engine-builder's casting numbers in the block according to a Trains article I remember reading about one of these engines observed working in Cuba) it is possible that some Russian designs would be highly useful as material, especially in cases where the domestic equivalent may be 'gone without a trace' in scrap drives etc.