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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001276485-08-000001.txt : 20080610
<SEC-HEADER>0001276485-08-000001.hdr.sgml : 20080610
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080610133611
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001276485-08-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080606
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080610
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080610

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

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KERN MICHAEL E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001276485

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12557
		FILM NUMBER:		08890387

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 20187
		CITY:			PORTLAND
		STATE:			OR
		ZIP:			97294
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5036696300
</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>2008-06-06</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001276485</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KERN MICHAEL E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2201 NE 201ST AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>FAIRVIEW</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OR</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>97024</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP-Construction Attachment Div</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Rights</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>44.24</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-06-06</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2670</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-06-06</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2670</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The stock appreciation rights vest and are exercisable as to 25% of the total on June 6, 2009 and 25% on June 6 of each of the following three years.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The number of shares underlying stock appreciation rights will be determined at the time of exercise by calculating the difference between the closing price of Cascade common stock on the date of exercise and the base price of the stock appreciation rights established at the time of grant (see column 2), multiplying that figure by the number of stock appreciation rights held by the reporting person, and then dividing the product by the closing price of Cascade common stock on the date of exercise.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Michael E. Kern</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-06-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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