Steam donkey

On Dolbeer's first model, a 46-metre (150 ft), 110-millimetre (4.5 in) manila rope was wrapped several times around a gypsy head (vertically mounted spool) and attached at the other end to a log.

[2][3] The invention of the steam donkey increased lumber production by enabling the transport of trees that would previously have been left behind because they were too large to move.

[4] Later, the invention of the internal-combustion engine led to the development of the diesel-powered tractor crawler, which eventually made the steam donkey obsolete.

Later, a "haulback" drum was added to the donkey, where a smaller cable could be routed around the "setting" and connected to the end of the heavier "mainline" to replace the line horse.

A donkey was moved by attaching one of its cables to a tree, stump or other strong anchor, then dragging itself overland to the next yarding location.

[16][19] When the cables were attached, a series of whistle blows signaled the donkey to begin pulling and the choker setters to stay out of harm's way.

[16][20] The process was a closely orchestrated sequence of actions, where mistakes were often fatal and where good men stood in line for the jobs.

Some steamboats used a steam-driven donkey hoisting-engine with capstan, ropes and strong poles (spars) to move "walk" the boat over or away from reefs and sandbars.

[citation needed] A functioning steam donkey is on display and occasionally operated at Fort Humboldt State Historic Park in Eureka, California.

A non-functioning steam donkey accompanied by a plaque explaining the history of the machine is on permanent display at Grizzly River Run, an attraction at Disney California Adventure Park.

On August 1, 2009, a Steam Donkey was officially unveiled at McLean Mill National Historic Site in Port Alberni, British Columbia.

Manufactured by the Puget Sound Iron & Steel Works in the early 1900s, this donkey was abandoned in the woods when the Reiger family finished logging their land in about 1952.