Can you identify this?

[highwayghost]

Coming from the Acme area it's a 'shine making tool.

That's where I was going! Found in woods. Deals with heating. Pressure monitoring..... Moonshine!

 

[Ronsii]

Coming from the Acme area it's a 'shine making tool.

And it's original use location may be nearby where it was found... maybe they had a slight accident with pressure and it jumped by itself

 

[callingtheshop]

I've slept on it for a couple nights now and can only offer the following:
1/ A lost nuke that the military says never occurred. Santa will be requesting your presence as a tail light/marker for his sleigh as handlers man-hoods will be totally radiated and glowing red.
2/ Sewer pump, loggers of long ago had big ones.
Hope this input helps...

 

[callingtheshop]

On the serious side, have you asked anyone in other forums on this site?
Lots of talent here and a lot of guys don't go into forestry, just saying.

 

[Truck Shop]

Scroll down to steam heating-a possibility.

https://www.achrnews.com/articles/87035-an-early-history-of-comfort-heating