| This very early steam donkey was built in Humboldt County by the California Iron Works before the turn of the century. Bull donkeys were used to replace bulls on long skid roads before many logging companies had access to railroad equipment. Bull donkeys are characterized by very large, wide faced drums with tremendous line storage capacity. The large donkey utilized a single steam cylinder, banked controls and manual frictions, all relatively rare on more modern steam donkeys. The donkey engine also had link reversing gear which is also extremely rare on a logging donkey.
The donkey was found on Hammond Lumber Company land and was acquired by its successor Louisiana Pacific. Louisiana Pacific Corporation donated the donkey to Roots of Motive Power in 1998.
|