Why Donky Engin?

[TrainClown]

We saw a donky engin in a movie tonight and I said "Look dear! a donky engin!" she asked me why they are called donky engins, and ya know, I couldn't give her a good answear. So can anyone tell me why they are called donky engins?

When something didn't work my dad would say it was being donky. So I'm confused. Dose donky engin mean difficult engin , or what ????????????????????????????????


Also, are there other names for these machines.

 

[TrainClown]

here's one at work

 

[Russ Bellinis]

I believe they were called "donkey engines" because they were a utilitarian beast of burden. They were mounted on skids to be easily moved to where ever they were needed, and could be used to do any job where you needed to move something by cable. A boom could be rigged and the donkey engine could be used to make a lift. In effect it could be used as a subtitute for a donkey or mule.

 

[TrainClown]

Thanks Russ

 

[Clerk]

Someplace in the back of my mind I remember seeing a painting of Donkeys pulling logs through the woods with a cable. Could this be it?