Re: Steam engine question

Posted by Maine Fordson on May 11, 2005 at 23:10:06 from (172.132.65.139):

In Reply to: Re: Steam engine question? posted by Coloken on May 11, 2005 at 20:16:28:

[URL=http://img63.echo.cx/my.php?image=lombardloghauler2qi.jpg][IMG]http://img63.echo.cx/img63/3998/lombardloghauler2qi.th.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Here in Maine a hundred years ago they used "forest locomotives" (steam-powered, track-driven tractors) to haul logs, and *only* in the winter: The "roads" were frozen (and often, after a fresh snowfall, glazed with a dose of water from a sled with a sprayer) so the logs would slide right along. A bit dangerous for the horses to work on, especially on steep grades...

"Lombard Log Haulers, produced in Alvin O. Lombard's Waterville (Maine) factory, featured the first-ever useable patent on a track-driven vehicle. In 1903, the founders of the Caterpillar Corporation paid Lombard $60,000 so they could produce vehicles under his patent. Every track-driven vehicle in the world today, including army tanks, snowmobiles, and heavy equipment, all stem from Lombard’s original patented invention. Lombard’s original hauler was driven by steam, but he continued to adapt it to the times, eventually producing a gasoline-powered hauler as well. The eventual arrival of gasoline-powered lumber trucks rendered the Lombards obsolete; there are currently a handful of these vehicles still in existence, mostly in New England."

Because these machine were costly to purchase, the lumber companies kept them operating 24/7 (after all, they were paying interest on the note, so they might as well be getting some work out of the iron beasts...). So, it was never really a question of antifreeze, because the boiler was almost always fired up and at (or near) operating temperature.

Several of the lumbermen's museums here in Maine have working examples of these; they're certainly a sight to see.

The image hosting link I have been using isn't working for me tonight, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the pic will show up OK...

• Lombard Log Hauler

Follow Ups:

• Re: Steam engine question G.King 06:22:31 05/13/05 (0)

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