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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001258364-04-000002.txt : 20041228
<SEC-HEADER>0001258364-04-000002.hdr.sgml : 20041228
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041228190926
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001258364-04-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040526
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041228
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041228

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KNUDSEN C CALVERT
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001258364

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12557
		FILM NUMBER:		041229325

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P.O. BOX 20187
		CITY:			PORTLAND
		STATE:			OR
		ZIP:			97294

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CASCADE CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000018061
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	INDUSTRIAL TRUCKS TRACTORS TRAILERS & STACKERS [3537]
		IRS NUMBER:				930136592
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OR
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0131

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2201 N.E. 201ST AVE.
		CITY:			FAIRVIEW
		STATE:			OR
		ZIP:			97024-9718
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5036696300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2201 N.E. 201ST AVE
		CITY:			FAIRVIEW
		STATE:			OR
		ZIP:			97024-9718
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-05-26</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000018061</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CASCADE CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CAE</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001258364</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KNUDSEN C CALVERT</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2201 NE 201ST AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>FAIRVIEW</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OR</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>97024-9718</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Right</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>21.15</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-05-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-05-26</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Stock Appreciation Rights were granted on the date of shareholder adoption of Cascade Corporation's Stock Appreciation Rights Plan, at the market price of a common share as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The Stock Appreciation Rights vest and are exercisable as to 25% of the total on May 26, 2005, and 25% on May 26 of each of the following three years.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>C. Calvert Knudsen</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-28</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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