180 LOGGING 
forward part of the boiler. The log hauler weighs from 17 to 22 
tons when loaded with fuel and water. 
Steam log haulers are used extensively in the Lake States, 
in the Northeast and in Canada. 
Some advantages possessed by the machine are that the an- 
nual depreciation^ and repairs are less than the depreciation on 
an equivalent number of animals, the necessity of bringing in 
large quantities of feed is obviated, and the machine can be 
operated day and night by employing two crews. Hauls exceed- 
ing 4 miles generally can be made cheaper with a log hauler 
than with animals. 
Under average conditions a cord of 2-foot fairly dry wood 
will run a hauler approximately 8 miles, while a ton of soft coal 
will run it about 24 miles. Watering places must be provided 
along the road at intervals of from 3 to 5 miles. 
The operation of a steam log hauler requires a crew of from three 
to five men; namely, one engineer, one fireman, one pilot and when 
from ten to twelve sleds are hauled one or two trainmen. 
The average speed, with loaded sleds, is 4^ miles per hour, 
and with a train of empty sleds the speed is about 6 miles per 
hour. 
Gasoline caterpillar tractors- of several types have been 
introduced for sled hauling within the last few years and are 
rapidly replacing the steam driven ones since they weigh less, 
have their center of gravity lower and, therefore, are more diffi- 
cult to upset; require a very small amount of water daily; have 
a more simple fuel problem because sufficient gasoline can be taken 
on at one time to run the machine for a day; thej' have no boiler 
flues to burn out on steep grades; and one-third less labor is re- 
quired for the operation of a machine because a fireman and 
pilot are not needed. 
The cost of road construction for both types of log haulers is 
greater than for animals because stronger bridges must be built, 
steep down-grades side-banked and timbered, all curves strongl}^ 
side-skidded to prevent the sleighs leaving the road, and a "go- 
back" road built so that the haulers can return with empty sleds 
at full speed. Sharp curves should be avoided because it is 
difficult to keep a train of sleds in the road. 
1 The average annual depreciation is 15 per cent. 
2 See Chapter XIII. ' 
