Because of the modern-day development of high-quality roads and railways, it is easy to overlook the way logs are transported from the forest to the mills. One of the greatest obstacles in the lumber industry a century ago was how to move felled trees from the forest. Before high-technological equipment and forestry trucks that are used in the industry today, there were just big wheels to move that lumber.
Following are some interesting facts regarding those big wheels and the biggest issues that were faced during that time, how they were resolved, and how this applies to the means of transportation today.
An Invention
Timber harvesting many years ago was quite limited and was only done when the ground was icy. Winter was the best time for harvesting because lumber movement was easier on the harder ground. This was extremely limiting as it meant waiting for the harvesting season which meant that buyers had to wait until the harvesting season for any timber product needs which only happened once a year. Fortunately, this scenario was altered by the invention of "big wheels" by an engineer named Silas Overpack.
This new product originated in Manistee, Michigan some time after the end of the Civil War. A farmer approached Silas Overpack and asked if he could build eight foot wheels; out of curiosity, the engineer asked why such large wheels were needed. The farmer explained that they could be used for skidding harvested wood.
It was almost two decades later when those big wheels began to be manufactured regularly by Overpack, displaying a set of them at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. When his invention was displayed at such a large gathering, the new big wheels invention caught the attention of investors and were quickly accepted by some of the biggest companies in the Pacific Northwest forest industry. One of those supporters and producers who supplied the entire western part of the country was Redding Iron Works in California.
Safety
One of the biggest problems with this invention was a lack of brakes, since the inventor was from a relatively flat area. It became a serious concern in areas where there were many hills. Redding Iron Works eventually developed a solution called the "slip-tongue." This mechanism worked perfectly and eliminated many hazards along the way, increasing transportation efficiency and productivity.
Forestry Trucks
Today's primary mover of timber from the woods to mills are forestry trucks, playing a large role in this industry as a speedy solution to lumber demands. This modern equipment has many technological advancements to efficiently perform its tasks and is equipped with a wide variety of accessories that are important for safe operation. The big wheels from the past can be compared to the present-day wheeled equipment in that they were, and are, strong, powerful, efficient and safe.
It is important to choose the right forestry truck in compete in the forestry industry. That big wheel vehicle invented by Silas Overpack suited the needs of its time. Now a lumber company can be assured that visiting a nearby forestry trucks dealer, the right vehicle can be found that will be perfectly suited all forestry business needs. Success in this industry can be traced back to how those big wheels kept the logs rolling!
Christopher M. Hunter is an expert in commercial specialty trucks. To find out more about Forestry Trucks, go to the main website at: http://www.firstfleettrucksales.com/home.
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