stem. This device rests firmly against a bracket mounted on the outside
face of the angle plate and insures that the valve wedge is mounted on
true plumb against the angle plate, By means of an angle plate, the gate
valve wedge receives the correct facing to fit the valve seat.

Machining the gate valve seats is accomplished in similar man-
ner, using a similar angle plate, but the angle plate is constructed with

a five degree deviation from the vertical plate instead of ten degrees as
used on the wedge described above,

OK OK OK

19

Interior - Reclamation - Denver, Coto.


Puncture-proof tubes were not obtainable for the size tire orig-
inally supplied with the mowers. It was necessary, therefore, to change
the wheels to a size which would permit use of standard automobile tires.
This was accomplished by cutting the rims from the original tractor
wheels and welding on rims from automobile wheels obtained from an
auto wrecking yard at a cost of $1.00 each. It was discovered that 1942
Plymouth wheels would fit the Model B, Allis-Chalmers hubs without al-
terations. Total cost of the change over was approximately $60.00 and
this included the preparation of two spare wheels.

ek RRR

VINYL RESIN IS BETTER PAINT FOR INTERIOR

OF WATER STORAGE TANKS

Since the Bureau of Reclamation Paint Manual was issued in
April 1951 (see O&M Equipment and Procedures Bulletin No. 2, page 6),
there has been one significant change recommended in painting practice.
This change applies to the painting of the interior of domestic water stor-
age tanks.

CA-50 is recommended in the Paint Manual for this purpose.
However, experience has shown that unless the CA-50 is allowed to dry
very thoroughly there is a likelihood of imparting a taste to the water.
Present practice is to apply 3 coats of vinyl resin paint. Specifications
for this paint are available from the Chief Engineer's Paint Laboratory.

wk RK

STORAGE BATTERY REJUVINATOR

The January 22, 1953 issue of Engineering-News Record reports
very favorably on a new storage battery rejuvinator being marketed under
the name of ''Rejuvinator AD-X-2" by Pioneers Inc., 2411 Grove Street,
Oakland 12, California. It is stated that the additive consists chiefly of
sodium and magnesium sulfates, with some traces of other elements, and
that sulfation of the lead plates, which eventually makes them hard and
brittle so they will not take a charge, is prevented. The additive is added
to the cells gradually by washing it in with the battery water and the bat-
tery is then placed on charge, One construction company reports savings
of 70 percent in battery replacement costs through the use of this material.

HOR RK

13


CLEANING EXPOSED TYPE MEMBRANE LINED LATERALS

It seems that often when an effort is made to improve one con-
dition on a canal system another problem is created for the Operation
and Maintenance people, Fortunately, they usually come up with a good
solution, The problem of how to remove silt and debris from a small
lateral without damaging the exposed type, heavy prefabricated asphal-
tic membrane lining is being solved by the Salt River Valley Water Users
by use of a Gradall excavator. The completed operation is shown in the
photograph above,

As shown on the facing page, an experienced operator-can make
good progress in removing silt from the lateral without damaging the
membrane,

Incidentally, this is the first installation of the 1/2-inch thick
prefabricated asphalt membrane lining on the Salt River Valley Project.
The lining, designed to function without protective cover has been in
service only 6 months, but is performing well so far in seepage and ero-
sion control in the sandy subgrade material, The membrane was fur-
nished by the Gulf States Asphalt Company of Houston, Texas, marketed
under the trade name "Gulf Seal''.


eliminates an additional pass through the ditch by hand crews at a later
date.

A second bucket, also fabricated for connection to the standard
Gradall unit and used for shaping ditches preparatory to gunite lining,
has proven to be as successful as the demossing bucket. This second
bucket varies from the manufactured bucket designed for the purpose in
that the cutting edges are turned downward and outward slightly. By so
doing, closer control and ease of operation has been accomplished. Sev-
eral of these buckets have been constructed with variable bottom widths
and wings on a 3/4:1 slope to conform to the desired ditch section. The
buckets have a capacity of about 1/3-cubic yard.

In operation, as shown
in the photograph to the left,
the machine travels over the
center line of a new ditch,
digging and shaping as desired.
If an old ditch is to be lined,
it is first backfilled. The back-
fill is compacted and then re-
excavated. Very little hand
finishing remains to be done
in preparing the ditch for lin-
ing and excavation of about
100 feet per hour is usual,
according to information sup-
plied by the project.

Compared with previous
methods of excavation by drag-
line and necessary hand shap-
ing, the use of the Gradall and
project designed bucket has
reduced costs to about 1/5 that
of the older conventional method.
Excavation, shaping and some
small amount of hand finishing
has been done for about $0. 22
per cubic yard. For the ditch
shown in the photograph, the
cost was about $0.11 per linear foot, and the resulting ditches are free
from the usual variations in alignment, are uniform in section, and ready
for lining without delay.

On the Salt River Project, maintenance of the canal system is
complicated by the proximity of many growing residential areas, Limited
right-of-way, the presence of overhead power and telephone lines, and
other residential problems make the Gradall ideally suited for the work
that must be done,

eR KKK

17


Hk KK


A VERY SIMPLE TRASH AND LOG BOOM

At a cost of only $25 to $30 a simple log boom has been installed
by the Buffalo Rapids Farms Association to prevent trash from getting
into the intake bays of their pumping plants during high water. The device
will last indefinitely and makes it possible for one pump man to handle a
plant even during the worst storms without having to call in additional
structure or maintenance crew men to help in cleaning the bays. Thisin
turn gives better service to the water users and reduces cost of operat-
ing.

The boom, as shown in the photograph below, consists of a se-
ries of logs or poles fastened endtoend with chains or cables. The up-
stream end is anchored to the bank and a strut is arranged to hold the
boom out from the bank.

3K KK ok

SHOTCRETE AS A TIMBER PRESERVATIVE

The Salt River Valley Water User's Association in Arizona re-
port that canal bridge timbers are being successfully protected with shot-
crete, Covering the timbers with shotcrete has increased their service-
able life by protecting them against rot and mildew.

Hk KKK


The unusually heavy silt
load in the lateral is aresult
of erosion of unlined portions
of the canal and lateral up-
stream from this point.


REFACING WEDGES AND SEATS OF GATE VALVES

By machining and refacing the wedges and seats, faulty valves
previously replaced by new ones, are quickly and efficiently made serv-
iceable by the Shasta Dam Division of the Central Valley Project. Ap-
proximately 20 valves are repaired annually, with the result that the pur-
chase of new gate valves has been substantially reduced. An angle plate
adapter that fits the lathe face plates is used in the machining and refacing.

The angle plate adapters shown in the accompanying photographs
are used for machining and refacing wedges and seats of 2-inch to 8-inch
valves, Another plate is available for use with larger valves up to 18
inches in size. However, valves larger than 12 inches in size must be
machined elsewhere because the largest lathe in the Division shops does
not have sufficient clearance for handling the larger sizes.

The device illustrated below for machining the valve wedges con-
sists of two circular pieces of 1-inch steel plate 18 inches in diameter,
joined at one edge of the circle to provide an angle of ten degrees between
the angle plate and the vertical plate of the adapter, Attachment of neces-
sary clamps, brackets and spacer plates is provided on the angle plate.

LA
In operation the vertical face of the adapter is attached to the
face plate of the lathe and the valve wedge bracketed to the angle plate

of the adapter. The proper angle on the wedge facing is obtained by
screwing a brass pusher or stem adapter into the threads of the valve

18


COMPACTION OF INNER CANAL SIDESLOPES

Considerable trouble was being encountered in rolling the inner
slopes of the East Low Canal of the Columbia Basin Project by dragline,
because of the dragline brakes heating while holding the roller as itpro-
ceeded down the slopes. To reduce the power required to move the
roller up the slope and reduce the amount of braking necessary in con-
trolling the downward movement of the roller, the dragline bucket was
rigged up as a counterweight.

As shown in the photographs, below and on the facing page, a
two part line connects the roller to the drag drum through the fairleads.
A separate line hooked to the dragline bucket goes to the point of the
boom, then down the boom and through a block to the roller, where itis
clamped, As the roller progresses down the slope the weight of the
bucket is picked up, reducing the amount of braking required.

Using this simple hookup, which is easily assembled and oper-
ated in the field, has materially reduced the heating of the brakes.



Department of the Interior

Bureau of Reclamation

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES
RELEASE NO. 4

May-June 1953

LAST COPY ~ DO

CONTENTS
. ; Gen?
‘The Contra Costa Portable Cofferdam es
Neoprene Water-Proofing Material
Cleaning Exposed Type Membrane Lined Canals ==
A Very Simple Trash and Log Boom es

Shoterete as a Timber Preservative

A Boom is Used to Defleet Weeds into a Wasteway
Compaction of Inner Canal Sideslopes

Are You Planting Trees?

How to Make Quality Conerete-A Movie Film

<..
Puncture-Proof Tubes on Weed Mowers Reduce O & M Costs - ~
Vinyl Resin Better paint for Interior of Water Storage Tanks €
Storage Battery Rejuvinator s
De-lcing by Compressed Air Fed

Bucket Attachments for Gradall Speed Project Operations
Refacing Wedges and Seats of Gate Valves



It is difficult to evaluate the total savings made possible to the
Government by use of the tool, considering the survival of seedlings and
acorns, However, as a labor saving device approximately 6, 000 man-
hours were saved in planting 447, 000 seedling trees during the year 1950
alone,

The tool, as shown in more detail in the photograph below, is
made of 1-1/2-inch OD steel tubing with a tempered steel point. The
handle is set at 90 degrees with the step or saddle for safety during
tamping. Over-all dimension of the tree planting tool is 42 inches, with
*he step or saddle 12 inches from the point.

KK KO

HOW TO MAKE QUALITY CONCRETE

We were recently privileged to view a movie produced jointly
by the Portland Cement Association and the American Concrete Institute
which tells in a very effective way, as the title of the movie implies,
"How to Make Quality Concrete''. The film illustrates the importance of
the water-cement ratio, quality and grading of aggregates, effect of en-
trained air and other factors which contribute to the strength, durability,
and water-tightness of concrete produced.

Li


ARE YOU PLANTING TREES?

If you are planting trees you will be interested in the tree plant-
ing tool developed by the Shasta Dam Division of the Central Valley Proj-
ect which has proven very successful as a labor saving device in the
planting of seedlings and acorns on the Keswick Reservoir watershed.

In addition to the savings in labor, the planting tool has increased
the survival rate of the seedling trees due to the fact that the tool leaves
the soil around the seedling and the ground surface undisturbed. This ap-
parently baffles rodents and keeps them from attacking the seedling trees
and acorns,

The planting tool is effective in all types of soil and is particu-
larly useful in rocky areas, Some of the advantages in using the tree
planting tool are:

The number of trees planted in a given time has more than
doubled,

Loss in planted seedling trees has been reduced by approx-
imately 40 percent.

Ninety percent of the acorns planted with the tool survived.

10


A BOOM IS USED TO DEFLECT WEEDS INTO A WASTEWAY

As shown in the above photograph, a simple floating boom has
been installed across the Gila Canal at the wasteway immediately up-
stream from the Gila River Siphon to deflect weeds and debris into the
wasteway during chaining operations. Short vertical boards on the up-
stream face of the boom, as shown in the sketch below, extend below
the water surface a nominal distance to prevent floating material from
being drawn under the boom,

Logs may be substituted for the horizontal members of the
boom and the length of the boom varied to fit the given canal or lateral.
Although not designed as a platform from which to operate, the boom
could be made so by providing decking.

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2 OK KK



NEOPRENE WATERPROOFING MATERIAL

Neoprene, a synthetic rubber, has been used experimentally on
the upstream face of Gerber Dam, in an effort to decrease seepage known
to be occurring through the construction joints. Placed in the fall of 1952,
a recent report from Region 2 states that ''with the reservoir elevation at
its present high level, only a few signs of seepage are perceptible.

Only one small place ‘where the neoprene application has peeled off has
been reported and that is attributed to deteriorated concrete.

The application of the neoprene was made after sandblasting the
surface and cleaning out and dry packing all crevices and holes withmor-
tar. Several coats of the neoprene were then applied to all construction
joints suspected of contributing to seepage, covering an area six inches
on each side of the joints. The treatment was also given other spots,
where there was evidence that seepage had occurred.

The project plans to mark the remaining seeps, reclean, repack,
and repaint with neoprene as soon as the water level in the reservoir drops
sufficiently, The apparent success of the neoprene on the face of the dam,
where the hydrostatic head is high, may indicate possible use of the mate-
rial for waterproofing other types of structures.

As the treatment was experimental, the material was furnished
to the project by the manufacturer and applied by Government forces.
The many coatings applied to the: joints and seepage areas on the upstream
face of the dam have apparently been sufficient to bridge existing cracks
without rupture, when backed up with mortar. The present cost of the ma-
terial and labor is estimated to be about $2.00 per square foot, however,
more extensive use and experience in application would likely result in
lower costs.

Use of the neoprene as a waterproofing compound is not being
recommended for general use at this time, pending observation of the
treatment at Gerber Dam. However, anyone interested in trial applica-
tions may contact the Chief Engineer's Paint Laboratory, Denver Federal
Center, Denver, Colorado.

ORK KK


DE-ICING BY COMPRESSED AIR

On many of the Bureau of Reclamation projects in the northern
states, ice is prevented from interfering with the operation of gates and
outlet works by the use of permanently installed compressed air ice-
prevention systems, A recent report on the system installed at Angostura
Dam in South Dakota has been received and is worthy of presentation as a
subject of general interest and possible consideration of similar installa-
tions on other projects that have difficulty controlling the ice in and around
gates and outlets during winter operation.

On December 30, 1952, the ice in contact with the faces of the
radial gates of the Angostura Spillway was measured and found to be 6-1/8
inches in thickness. To operate the gates with the ice against them might
have damaged the hoisting mechanism and possibly the gates themselves,
if they could have been operated at all. At 7:15 AM, the ice-prevention
air system was placed in operation, and by 12:15 PM, 5 hours later, the
gate faces were free of ice.

The air outlets of the ice prevention system as shown on the
drawing, page 15, were at a depth of about 36 feet below the water surface
as it existed at the time. At 1:30 PM, a hole was chopped in the ice at a
point about 60 feet upstream from the dam and the temperature of the wa-
ter was found to be 32° F at the water surface and 36° F ata depth of 36
feet; the depth at about which the air system nozzles were located. The
air temperature at the time was 37° F and the surface water temperature
at the face of the dam where the air bubbles from the nozzles were emerg-
ing was about 359 F. The ice melted first at the face of the gates, later
extending the ice-free open water area 8 to 10 feet upstream from the
gates.

The compressed air ice-prevention system installed at Angostura
Dam, is similar in design to installations incorporated into other Bureau
structures, Like the Angostura system the others have aided materially
in preventing ice from interfering with the operation of gates and outlet
works. Some systems have been designed to operate more or less auto-
matically, in that the compressors are started periodically by a time
clock and operate for whatever length of time deemed necessary for free-
ing ice bound gates.

KKK KK

14


BUCKET ATTACHMENTS FOR A GRADALL SPEED PROJECT OPERATIONS

Two new buckets have been fabricated in the shops of the Salt
River Valley Water User's Association in Phoenix, Arizona, for use with
the Association's fleet of 5 Gradall excavators in expediting and facilitat-
ing operation and maintenance work.

The bucket to the left
is used for demossing ca-
nals and laterals. It is
shaped much like the 60-
inch ditch cleaning bucket
supplied by the manufac-
turer. However, the Salt
River bucketis 72ainches
wide, has a serrated cutting
edge, and the bucket plate
has been perforated, as itis
normally used under water.

By use of the new
bucket, demossing on the
Project is done for approx-
imately $68.00 per mile.
This is about one-half the cost of the conventional chaining and discing op-
eration previously used, which involved catching the moss on grates placed
in the waterway and hand forking the moss from the grates.

The unit in operation, photograph above, removes a large amount
of moss and silt with each pass of the bucket, demossing about one mile of
ditch per day, Cleaning of the canal or lateral while demossing also

16


THE CONTRA COSTA PORTABLE COFFERDAM

In case some of you do not subscribe to the Reclamation Era,
or missed the December 1952 issue, the portable cofferdam developed
by Canal Maintenance Foreman Alexander G. McIntyre for use on the
Contra Costa Canal maintenance work on the Central Valley Project will

bear investigation on your part.

The article, ''Contra Costa's Portable Cofferdam," prepared
for the Reclamation Era, by W. G. Waggoner, Region 2, Bureau of
Reclamation, Sacramento, California, very ably described and presented
the construction details, and the simplicity and ease with which the de-
vice can be handled, Two photographs of the cofferdam are reproduced

below.

As pointed out in the reference article, repair work that must
be done without interruption of flow within the canal was the reason for

ve OK eK

development of the device by
Mr. MclIntyre. The device
must of necessity be easily
loaded, transported, and un-
loaded. It must be simple for
handling, erection, and dis-
assembly under difficult con-
ditions. Most of all it must
provide an effective barrier
to the passage of water, The
device incorporates all these
features and has been used
with much success,

If there are details about
which you would like further
information, you may inquire
directly from the Regional
Director, Bureau of Recla-
mation, Sacramento, California.


INTRODUCTION

This is Release No. 4 of the Operation and Maintenance Equip-
ment and Procedures Bulletin, being issued as a joint effort of the Divi-
sions of Operation and Maintenance, and Design and Construction, of the
Bureau of Reclamation. Since Release No. 1 and No. 2 were issued,
some excellent material has been received from Regional and Project
Offices and Water User Organizations. Many comments from the field
indicate that the Bulletin is being received with wide interest among Op-
eration and Maintenance forces. Let's pass along your good ideas and
keep up the interest.

Our last issue, Release No. 3 devoted to Weed Control, should
have been received as we prepare to duplicate this issue. We have re-
ceived additional information items concerning weed control too late for
inclusion in Release No. 3. This supplementary data will be passed
along in future releases. If you have a particular weed problem, possi-
bly some of the operating projects can help you.

It should be remembered that this Bulletin is being circulated
for your benefit. In some instances a particular piece of equipment has
served well ona project. In presenting the story we must disclaim any
endorsement of a manufactured product or piece of equipment. Refer-
ence to a trade name does not constitute an endorsement of that product,
and omission of any particular commercially available item does not
imply discrimination against any manufacturer. We hope that improve-
ments made in commercially available equipment by project people will
be incorporated in the design of manufactured items in the future, and
that some project designed equipment can be duplicated by the manufac-
turing industry and made available at reasonable cost for your use.

RK


Anyone interested in the production of good quality concrete
would also be interested in, and benefited by, viewing the movie. It
has been prepared for appeal to both technical and nontechnical audi-
ences. It is believed it would be of particular interest to maintenance
crews and others engaged in construction or concrete repair work.

The movie is a 16-mm, color and sound film with an excel-
lent running commentary. Showing time for the movie is about 33 min-
utes. The film can be obtained for showing from your nearest Portland
Cement Association office. In the irrigation states these offices are
located at:

114 East 8th St., Austin, Texas

521 Boston Building, Denver, Colorado

816 West 5th St., Los Angeles 17, California

1308 First National Bank Building, Oklahoma City, Okla.
504 South 18th St., Omaha, Nebraska

David Kieth Building, Salt Lake City, Utah

903 Seaboard Building, Seattle 1, Washington

1309 Old National Bank Building, Spokane, Washington
Gold Block, 52 North Main, Helena, Montana.

RRR

PUNCTURE-PROOF TUBES ON WEED MOWERS

REDUCE O & M COSTS

By the use of puncture-proof tubes in the front tires of weed
mowers, the Tucumcari Project in New Mexico, has made a direct sav-
ing of $800. 00 in operation and maintenance costs during 1952. The
pneumatic tires on the mowers are subjected to unusually severe operat-
ing conditions, as they are used to cut weeds on the steep wide slopes of
the canals and borrow pit areas. Pneumatic tires on the weed mowers
were continually being punctured by mesquite thorns, other thorny plants,
debris, nails, and sharp rocks not encountered by other equipment which
normally uses the operating roads exclusively.

The four tractor-mowers used by the project operated during the
entire 1952 season without punctures. This is in contrast with the opera-
tion of these same machines during the 1951 season during which the ma-
chines averaged one puncture per week, at an approximate cost for re-
pairs of $800, 00 for the season's operation. The repair cost was entirely
eliminated by the installation of the puncture-proof tubes, witha resulting
increase in operational efficiency which cannot readily be evaluated di-
rectly in money saved,

12


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