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[IMG]http://img63.echo.cx/img63/3998/lombardloghauler2qi.th.jpg[/IMG] 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...
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