Blakelee's industrial cyclopedia; a simple practical guide A ready reference and reservoir of useful information. More than two hundred illustrations - Tapa blanda

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1889 edition. Excerpt: ...if the wagon box is narrower than the sled, the same trouble arises. Even if there are to be boxes made for both, I would still have them the same width as above suggested, for wood racks, manure boxes, etc., may as well be used on either as the case demands. Height of a Sled.--Use deep beams; it is but little more work to load a log upon a sled twenty inches high, than one fifteen, and the high sled will be found much more convenient when passing around in the woods. Timber for a Sled.--Oak, beach and white ash make the best runners. Hickory splits too easily, unless very tough. Red elm is best for beams, and tough white oak for pins. Sugar, or hard maple, makes excellent shoes, but the timber should be seasoned before used. Hickory makes the best roller. The tongue should be of ash, oak or hickory. Length of Sled Pole.--The pole should be nine feet long from the doubletree to the end, and the doubletree set as far back as it can be, and not be liable to hit the end of the runner when in use. The closer a team is to a load the better, providing the animals have free use of their limbs. A good rule is to set the doubletree eight inches front of a line from the front of one runner to another. The cheapest and best pole is made by framing it into the center of the roller and bracing it with seven-eighths round rod. Square iron should never be used for braces in this place, for if anything should occur to bring the horses upon them, serious damage might result. How to Set a Sled Roller.--Another important thing in the construction of a sled is, putting the roller into the runners at the proper point. If the roller is set too high, the draft is downward; if too low, the sled is lifted. In either case the draft is not direct from the seat of the load,...