The Legendary Cullen Friestedt Co. Burro Crane
35,075
Published 2014-09-22
All Comments (21)
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Placerville & Sacramento Valley Railroad will be bringing a Burro Model 30 into service in 2019. Formerly at Niles Canyon, this crane was donated to our program several years ago, but we have now grown to the point where we need the capabilities of this amazing machine. This video has been an inspiration to me ever since you posted this! Thanks!
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When I saw this title, I thought it would be obscure information. It was kind of obscure, but it became very interesting. Those little cranes were handy as a pocket on a shirt, for the railroad companies. They had them doing everything, and doing it well and efficiently. I love machinery like this and I really enjoyed watching it. Thanks.
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THAT was a very well thought-out rig and very versatile! Had as many attachments as a Gravely tractor! Very well done!
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Awesome little machines! It's still cool to see these machines at work on the old C&NW Harvard subdivision. Powered by Detroit Diesels, not sure if they were 53 or 71 series, there is no mistaking that sound! Thanks for the history lesson and the awesome video!
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There is one of these Burros sitting in the Glenwood Springs yard, for a few years now, looks like it is in good working condition. Looks old too, along with the snowblade next to it.
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The BC47 featured at the beginning of the video was my machine back in 1991 to 1993 west of Ft. Worth on the UP.
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My Father Ivan Roy worked at the Chicago factory, building these cranes until they moved to Minnesota for some 30 + years before they moved.
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Nice catch, the Burro carnes are almost all obselete now !!
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I used one in the seventys for penn-central
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Wow! They sure move those wheel/axles quickly.
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Guys like these made the USA. nice history to see this was a very important company to the U.S.
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Weel, it's not obselete. In Brasil we still use it. hahaha Why is it called "Burro"?
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Do they still use burro cranes?
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Grande el burrito.
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Back when men were men and no hard hats were needed.
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Used to run one in the Chicago area. Fun little crane. The Ohio was much bigger better ballsier and easier though.
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It would appear that all Burro crane operators were maniacs! I’d love to know how many workers were killed or maimed by these fools! I’ve always been intrigued by Burro cranes, and it’s kind of ironic that I’m within two miles of a Burro crane that’s owned by the Winston-Salem Southbound Railway! It’s still in operating condition, but mostly sits parked on a siding. It’s always been a my belief that these cranes were delivered in the greasy, filthy condition because I’ve never seen a clean one! Ha!
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Odd choice for music but I like it.......
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Thank you for the mention. Mr. Frank J. Cullen Jr., grandson of the founder of the Cullen Freistadt Company provided the video on a CD. Cracking that and uploading it to YouTube took some help, but now it is saved for all times. The Orange Empire Railroad Museum in Perris, CA has a working Model 30 Burro Crane. What a joy to behold.
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The Burro Cranes, especially the Model 30 and 40 had a great power to weight ratio. The operator could move material or equipment at previously unattained speed. The perfect balance or men and machine. Note the complete lack of safety gear.
