-Additional donkey images can be found under the companies listed in the menu at left.-

Building Sled, Silver Falls Timber Co.; OR

Building a Donkey Sled; Vesta, WA

Donkey Sled Under Construction, near Seattle WA, 1919

Camp Lumber Co.

A yarding donkey, or "Yarder", was used to bring logs to a landing, the term "Wide Face" applies to the width of the cable drum when viewed from the front.

It is generally  difficult at best in photos, to differentiate between a Roading Donkey and a Wide Faced Yarder. The differences being primarily, that the yarder had a smaller drum capacity, and a lower gear ratio. But to complicate things further, there were also machines known as "half-breed" yarders, which were geared faster than a standard yarder but slower than a roader. These machines were intended for outfits that had small timber and couldn't afford two donkeys.

Two Boiler Roading Donkey; unknown

Albion, CA

Two Roading Donkeys and Crews; unknown

Unknown Roading Donkey and Crew; Northern California

Donkey and Crew; Black Rock, OR

Yarding to River; near Aberdeen WA. c.1917

Unknown, Columbia River

Skidway, Pacific Northwest

Yarding Donkey, Northern CA; unknown

Brix Brothers Lumber Co.; Grays River, WA

Hume, CA; c.1913

Donkey & Crew; unknown

Brown Lumber Co.; Diston, OR 1911

J.A. Veness Lumber Co., near Winlock WA

Donkey and Crew; Chico, CA

Donkey and 8-man Crew; unknown, (most likely Pacific-Northwest)

Loading Willamette Humboldt Yarder and  Sled on Scow, c.1917

This view clearly shows the extended firebox at the rear of the boiler.

Unknown

[Note the size of the skids, they're almost 5' tall.]

Crew with Donkey at Skid-way; PA; unknown

Elma, WA  c.1907

Donkey Repairs; near Seattle WA

Two views of an A-Frame loader and its crew at the McCloud River Lumber Co.

The mule on the left image is most likely used to haul out the cable for the unloading operation.

A-Frame Loading Donkey; unknown

Vertical Spool Dolbeer Donkey with crew and Family; unknown.

Dolbeer donkey and crew; Mendocino, CA

Dolbeer Donkey & Crew; Unknown, CA

Near Oakville, WA; c.1910. 

[Note Kelley-Springfield truck on the wooden turntable. This is possibly a Union Timber Co. landing. ]

Raft Mounted Donkey

This type of set-up was used for yarding to a river.

Moving a Donkey on a Raft; Lewis River

Donkey on Flatcar; unknown.

Unknown

Donkey #348; unknown

Algoma Lumber Co.; Hoist engine at top of incline.

This appears to be a Washington Iron Works 'Gypsy Drum Type Lowering Engine'. This type of engine was designed for lowering loaded log cars on an endless line, while at the same time bringing the empties to the top. This necessitated a double track system to allow the cars to pass.

"Algoma Lumber Co., Algoma Or., has ordered (1) Prairie type locomotive from Baldwin." [rag_04/23/08]

Donkey Pulling to New Setting; unknown 

Three Donkeys, unknown Pacific-NW

This is a rare view of three donkeys steamed-up and getting ready to pull themselves into the woods, is believed to be at the Smith-Powers Logging Co. operation near Powers, OR

Donkeys Pulling into Woods

unknown Landing

The left had donkey is being used for loading, while the right hand one is yarding the logs.

unknown Donkey and Crew

Unknown Donkey & Crew; Pacific N.W.

B(?) Brothers; Unknown

Donkey and Crew; Unknown

Choker Setters in Clear-cut; unknown

Unknown; Western, OR

Unknown near Astoria, OR

Donkey and Crew; Unknown

Unknown Donkey and Crew, WA

[probably near Elma, WA)

Spar Tree; Shasta or Lassen County, CA.

[Note the two high climbers/riggers on the tree just above the woodpile in the foreground.]

Unknown Donkey and Crew

[Believed to be in WA]

Smith & Watson donkey at Landing with Crew; unknown.

Donkey and Crew; Huntington Lake, CA

Note the steam drag-saw in the background used for bucking the logs into standard/manageable lengths.

This is possibly the Pine Ridge Lumber. Co, After P.R.L.Co's lumber was cut out in 1912, it worked under contract  for So. Cal Edison, clearing out the area that was to become Huntington Lake (the first reservoir in the Big Creek Hydro-electric project.

Donkey and Crew

[Believed to be near Scotia, CA]

Unknown

Unknown

Unknown; ?eenway Sound, 1921

Spar tree, donkey and crew, near Marysville, WA

Spar tree and donkey; Unknown

Donkey and Crew; Unknown

Goodyear Lumber Co.; Clalam Co., WA

Donkey Graveyard, near Satsop WA

Loading Logs; Unknown

Unknown Donkey and Crew; Pacific-Northwest

Unknown

Note the newly constructed frame for the house/roof, and the saw blade used as a spring pole for the jerk wire. When this photo was taken they were waiting for the shingle roof to be installed.

The man in the photo is identified as Fred Swaggart.

Unknown; Donkey and Crew

Unknown

Big Cut CM&StPRR; N. Bend, WA

This donkey was probably used with a grader or drag scraper , to create the cut and grade the roadbed for the new tracks. 

Scraping a Grade; Hamna Creek

[Utilizing a scraper-grader such as a "Bagley Grader/Scraper" or sim.]

Unknown: Puget Sound, WA

Unknown; Idaho

Unknown; Hobart Mills, CA

Unknown; Dolbeer Donkey

McCaughey Mill Co.; Arlington, WA

Donkey and "Art" 

Unknown Landing

Unknown, WA

Donkey & Crew; unknown, OR

Unknown, WA

Unknown

Unknown

Yarder & Crew; unknown

unknown Spar Tree landing

Donkey with Heisler Trailing Logs; Shelton, WA c.1899

Cover for the Sept. 1917 "The Clyde Diamond"

Advertisement from St. Louis Lumberman; Aug. 1901

A Few Suggestions For The Care And Maintenance Of Logging Engines & Boilers

(reprinted from the 1920 Washington Iron Works catalog)

GENERAL:  Systematic attention and care of a logging engine will cause a vast difference in the cost of repairs, the life of logging equipment, and in the number of log hauled.

SLED:  As a logging engine is put to the severest service, it must have a strong and rigid foundation to support it, and a properly designed and well constructed sled will add greatly to the life and successful operation of a logging engine. Cross rods and hold-down bolts should be examined regularly and kept tight.

LUBRICATION:  A new engine requires a greater amount of oil than for the first few days, and oil pump should be carefully regulated. See that all bearings are well lubricated. Keep oil cups, grease cups and oil pump filled regularly.

DRUMS:  The spring cage should be adjusted to give the drum a free unwinding movement by tightening or loosening bolts until there is one-eighth inch play when the friction is set. If springs are adjusted too tight there will not be enough travel of spring to release the drum from the friction blocks, and if adjusted to loose, there will be excessive wear on the spring cage, which drags and prevents the free unwinding of the drum.

Improper adjustment of spring cage also prevents the proper lubrication of the face of the spring cage. Care should be taken to keep oil and grease off from friction blocks. When necessary friction blocks should be cleaned with hot water containing lye. Rosin should not be used.

BEARINGS:  Nothing will more quickly destroy the life of a logging engine than loose and rattling parts. Keep all bearings, brasses and running parts adjusted and free from lost motion. Tighten bolts, nuts and screws at regular intervals. When tightening screws or nuts, be careful to set them up as much as they will stand, so that they will not be continually loosening, as the working of these parts soon destroy the fits.

Dirt is destructive of bearings; hence engine and all parts should be kept clean, and all lubricating oil strained if necessary.

STARTING ENGINE:  In starting up engine, cylinder cock should be wide open and throttle opened slightly until cylinders are well warmed up and free of all water. Be especially careful in starting a new engine, as boiler may foam and water be carried over into cylinders, and severe shock thrown on crank shaft and damage done to cylinders (see remedy for foaming boiler).

Don't forget to open cylinder cocks if engine has been idle a few minutes.

REPAIRS:  Unless thoroughly competent to make necessary repairs or check valve setting of engine which is not pulling properly, call in an expert mechanic as soon as possible.

When laid up for the season, engine and boiler should be thoroughly cleaned, greased, painted and housed, and stack covered to keep water off tubes and boiler head.

BOILER:  Fireman on taking charge of a boiler each morning should always ascertain whether there is sufficient water in boiler. He should see that the gauge glass is clear and in proper working order. Do not rely on the glass altogether, but use the gauge cocks also, and try each of them several times a day.

Fire should be started in ample time to have pressure up at required hour without forcing. In no case should a hot fire be started in the firebox when water in boiler is cold, as a too rapid change in temperature will strain boiler and may cause a permanent fracture. Leave the top gauge cock open at time of starting fire, and until steam flows through it.

Each morning blow off valve should be opened for a short period just before circulation is started to remove sediment. Blow off valve should always be opened and closed very slowly to avoid shock from water hammer action.

Pop valve in particular should be kept in good working order. Allow pop valve to blow off at least once a day. If pop valve blows at a higher or lower pressure than at which it is set, a new steam gauge should be installed at once, and old gauge tested.

Good practice demands that a logging engine steam gauge, which is subject to severe service, should be tested once each season.

Where water of average quality is used, a boiler should be opened at least one a month and thoroughly washed, and all sediment and scale removed from tubes, crown sheet and water leg. About twice a week boiler should be blown out 6" or 8". Never blow off a boiler under a pressure exceeding 15 pounds.

Tubes and all parts of boiler exposed to fire should be cleaned frequently.

Leaks when found should be caulked, and made tight without delay. Repairs should never be made however, while boiler is under pressure.

Staybolts of old boiler should be tested occasionally with hammer, and cracked or broken staybolts replaced.

Foaming in boiler is generally due to swampy or dirty water, accumulation of oil in boiler, or attempting to force boiler beyond it's capacity for furnishing stem. A foaming boiler should be blown down often under pressure not exceeding 15 pounds, and filled with clean water. Sometimes a few handfuls of  Saleratus injected into the boiler will stop foaming.

Remember, violent foaming is dangerous, and if necessary boiler should be cooled and thoroughly washed out.

Don't neglect to put strainer on suction hose and see that the water barrel or tank is kept covered to keep out cinders and dirt.

In putting boiler out of service for any length of time, it should be emptied and thoroughly cleaned inside and out, drained, and the exterior painted with a good preservative boiler paint.

Saldern Logging & Lbr. Co. camp at Grays Harbor; using 2 Lidgerwood donkeys, and to install a third. [t_11/1899]

Yosemite Lumber Co.: Sept. 14, 1929 placed order with W.H. Worden & Co. (agents), for a Washington Iron Works diesel yarder and loader. [t_09/1929]

Star Logging Co., 12x15 Mundy in use at Rainier ,OR camp [t_12/1899]

Mason County Logging Co., Monday January 8, a donkey boiler in Camp 5 , near Lake Newatzel, blew up. [t_01/00]

Wolff & Zwicker Iron Works, Portland, OR.

This company built logging engines between 1898 and 1901. They were bankrupt and for sale in 1901. The Phoenix Machine Works took over the Plant in February 1902 and built a few more donkeys to the W&Z design. The W&Z donkeys were of standard 2-drum vertical boiler design. 

Simon Benson operated 2 W&Z donkeys at his Waterford camp in 1894. [t_11/99]

Simon Benson had three machines on order for his Oak Point (Bunker Hill, camp), WA operation in March 1898.

In May 1899 it was reported that the company had built and delivered twelve donkeys in the previous six months, working 225 employees.

Simon Benson operating 3 W&Z donkeys at the Bunker Hill Camp [t_11/99]

Simon Benson has ordered 2 W&Z donkeys for the new camp at Slide Creek [t_11/99]

Wolff & Zwicker Iron Works is preparing  a logging locomotive for J.H. Peterson, Rainier; and widening (sic) the gear of a Climax for C.C. Masten (see C.C. Masten listing for further information on this engine) [t_01/00]

Wolff & Zwicker Iron Works has been closed by the receiver. it is to be offered for sale. [t_07/00]

Wolff & Zwicker Iron works is turning out logging cars for Grays Bay Logging Co., and also for C.C. Masten [t_02/01]

Henry Colvin purchased a Wolff & Zwicker donkey – “cutting out his string of bulls forever,” so he says. [t_08/01]

Simon Benson operating one Smith & Watson donkey at the Bunker Hill camp (Oak Point), in the spring of 1898 [t_11/99]

Simon Benson purchased a Lidgerwood donkey in 1892 for his camp at Cathlamet. [t_11/99]

Arnold Eccles, 12 year old son of William Eccles, supt. for the Oregon Lbr. Co., Viento, was killed when he was caught in the line of a hoist engine. He was operating it in the absence of the regular operator. [t_07/00]

Portland Iron Works have sold the first logging engine to Johnson & Lindburg, Chinook, Wash. [t_04/01]

Advertisement from The Lumberman; Aug. 1901