Every logging operation needs a log loader and there are all types of them. This pen and ink is of a Barnhart log loader from back in the railroad logging days. It was a big steam-powered loader for loading big logs.
The Barnhart Log Loader
Here are some of today’s loaders.
The heel-boom loader is today’s log loading staple. It is also referred to as a shovel by the loggers.
The front-end loader was the standard for years, but is still common in the woods.
The logging truck hauls the trailer, also known as a log dolly, in a piggy-back configuration. Here the front-end loader unloads the log dolly.
The self-loading logging truck has its own loader built-in.
I thought it was odd that the operator lowered the hood when he loaded his truck. I assumed it may be running hot. However, when he finished loading the truck, he went over to the engine compartment and pulled out a stick, which caused the engine to throttle down. He had wedged the stick into the throttle to keep the engine revved up while he was running the loader. He then put the stick in the tool box and said, “I gotta put it up here or the dog will run off with it!” Good thing I left Blitz in the truck.
In this picture, they used a front-end loader to assist the self-loader. Normally they use the self-loaders when another loader isn’t available.
This old green beast of a front-end loader was barely running, which is why they were using the self-loader. These were two weary old machines.
Blitz is seriously wanting the throttle stick right now.
THE FORESTER ARTIST 
Very nice pen & ink; do you find that it’s harder on your eyes than it was when you were younger? I miss having that ‘eagle’ eye that i had when younger! now my eyes get tired easily when working on meticulous detail. it’s worth it, of course! z
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Thanks Z. Yes I do find it more difficult. My eyes get a little twitchy when they get tired. It is annoying, but what are you going to do other than keep going.
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Your drawaing is very nice, Tim! I am writing it from known artistic colony Kazimierz Dolny. It isn’t suggestion that I am a big connoisseur :-). I just seen in my life so many drawings, engravings and oil pictures etc. therefore I can choose!
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Thank you Wanda. What do you do at the Colony?
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I am a staff member of Nadwislanskie I am working at literary and memorial branch of it.
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Wow, that is awesome.
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I’ve forgotten one word: Nadislanskie MUSEUM
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I understand. I thought the colony was different from the museum.
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Lovely detail in your pen and ink picture there Tim …
Log Dolly.. just the sound of it makes me smile .. but gosh a pretty impressive bit of equipment !
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Thanks Poppy. I don’t know the etimology of the name “log dolly”. I might have to look into that.
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My 13 yr old loves this.
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Now that makes me smile! 🙂
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He told me when he was 3 while playing with Lincoln logs that he is going to build me a Lincoln log home when he grows up! It was very cute!
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What a good boy. Now if He still says that at 19, that would be awesome!
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Wow….Love it! :)… I see a person in there too… Great detail…!!… You have perfected ink….
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Thank you Divya, you are too kind
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Interesting post, Tim. A few years ago I was writing an article for Timber Harvesting magazine and visited a logging operation where they used two Belgian draft horses to skid the logs out. Ever seen that? Once the horse was hitched to the log, she pulled it to the log yard, was unhitched, and went back for the next log with one of the guys riding her. They used a log truck with a Prentice self-loader. Awesome to watch.
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That is awesome that you got to experience horse logging. It is pretty rare these days. When I was still in college, I spent one summer on Latour State Forest and we actually did a production study involving a horse logger as compared to a conventional logger. The horse logger used Belgians also. He had a team of mares and a single stallion that he used. He also had the logs loaded with a self-loader. When I would go home at the end of the day after working around the Belgians and I saw regular horses during my drive home, they always looked emaciated compare to those big strong Belgians.
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The neatest thing (besides the narrow 2-foot skid trail) was that the horses seemed to really enjoy the work. They headed back up into the woods with the guy on their back who wasn’t really directing them, just hitching a ride back up. They say animals like to have a job to do and I agree.
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The crew that I worked with had the logger’s 8 year old son ride the horses back and forth to the landing. After a while the horses memorized the route and would go on there own. I couldn’t agree more about these animals having a job. I certainly see in with our dogs. I wrote about it in this post, https://theforesterartist.com/2013/04/02/pheasants-and-the-meaning-of-life/
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haha, but why isn’t Blitz getting the stick… I can almost imagine their conversation!! :D… (Also you made learning about loaders interesting in this post…Now have a first hand idea about logging)…
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She sure wanted the stick. She thinks all sticks belong to her! I glad you enjoyed the post, thank you.
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Very very nice pen and ink, Tim!
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Thank you again!
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