In addition to managing and protecting the ancient remnant forest, DOC has also made an effort to explain Pureora Forest's forestry history. On Hill Road in Pureora Forest Park (Pikiariki Road on the DOC site), there is a vintage, well-preserved D7 bulldozer and Hysler logging arch just before the access to the Forest Tower. A panel describes its background and use in forestry activities.
A bit further back on Hill Road, there is a small sign marking the access to more pieces of the old forestry equipment. The first rusting equipment is the remains of a steam log haulier. It was used until the late 1940s to haul logs from the forest. The second, a very short distance away, is a McCormick Deering tractor dating to the 1930s. A panel describes its history.
The two pieces of equipment sit within a part of the forest that had been logged, followed by exotic pines that had been logged and appear to have been replanted in some parts. This area is more significant than the nearby remnant native forest at Forest Tower and the Pureora entrance to the park, a reminder of how close the country got to losing all these forests.
A similar exhibit of old equipment can be found on the Historic Crawler Tractor Track on Link Road.
