The donkey engine was a steam-powered mechanical pulley system used in the logging industry in the 19th century. It was invented by John Dolbeer in 1881 and was efficient at transporting large logs. Although it was largely abandoned with the creation of more sophisticated logging machines, some can still be found in forests and museums around the world.
A donkey engine, or steam donkey, is a type of mechanical pulley system that was often used in the logging industry during the 19th century. Donkey engines were often powered by steam, making them very efficient for transporting wood. In addition to being a popular fixture within the logging industry, these engines have also been used for mining and marine applications.
John Dolbeer is credited with inventing the donkey engine in 1881. The invention of the internal combustion engine in the mid-1850s largely eliminated the need for the steam-powered donkey engine, but this record-breaking machine was put to good use before the 1850s. This machine was not only relatively easy to operate, but also very efficient at transporting large logs.
With the help of a work horse, a donkey motor cable was dragged into a wooded area where trees had recently been cut down. This cable was then securely connected to a large trunk intended for a lumber mill. When the cable was securely connected, a donkey motor operator would open the throttle on the machine. This allowed the machine to act as a mechanical pulley slowly pulling the trunk towards the machine. Once the record reached the machine, the record was uploaded to another vehicle. Eventually all the logs that were removed from the forest were sent to the mills by rail.
As donkey motors were large in size and quite heavy, moving this type of machine proved to be a problem. Eventually, loggers learned that a donkey motor could move only if the motor’s cable was attached to a tree. By securing a motor’s cable to a tree, the donkey’s motor would simply move closer to the tree. Therefore, the machine could be moved without much manpower.
As sophisticated logging machines were created, the donkey engine was largely abandoned. In fact, many of these engines can still be found in forests around the world. Since the machines were difficult to move, even when the tree removal method was employed, many logging companies simply left the donkey motors to waste rather than haul them out of a forest.
Some of these engines are currently on display in museums around the world, although most of them have never been recovered. The modern logging industry has no use for donkey engines, as these engines are not as effective as modern machines. However, without the invention of the steam donkey, the loggers that existed during the 1880s would have had a much harder life.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
