Steam Donkey
The only rigged and operational steam donkey in Canada.
2011 Demonstrations:
Sundays - July 3 to September 4
Steam Donkey:
- Built—1929, by the Washington Iron Works (Seattle)
- 9 x 10 1/4 Washington yarder with extension fire box boiler
- Operating Pressure—150 lbs
- Horse Power—58 hp
- 21 staybolts replaced in 2008
Spar Tree (& Rigging):
- Douglas-fir, 75’ tall with 24” top
- Topped and rigged by Aaron Thom, Active Arborist
- Block rigged (hung) at 65’
- Main line—1,700’ of 7/8” (donated by AGG Logging)
- Guy Lines (6)—4 x 300’, 2 x 150’ of 7/8” (donated by AGG Logging)
Heel Boom:
- Boom—40' long x 6 1/2' wide, with 12” x 24” timbers
- Heel Grid—Five 8" x 10" timbers, 10 rails, and 27 bolts
- Fair lead on the nose of the boom
- Powered by a flat head Ford, Murdie winch
Volunteers:
Special thanks to Jack James—consultant, foreman, storyteller and friend.
- JJ Logging—yarding crew
- 2010 = 900 volunteer hours
- 2009 = 600 volunteer hours
Chronology:
1929 to 1965—McLean Mill Lumber Company
1986—restored and operated for Expo 86
2008—sled rebuilt
2009, June—boiler certified, spar tree topped and rigged
2009, Summer—demonstrations on Special Event days
2010, Spring—heel boom, and loading pot completed
2010, Summer—Sunday demonstration, steam donkey and heel boom
