_--~ Elbow to handle a full drum alone.
ff a It was decided to try some-
a thing else.

; Barrel pumps were tried
S and were an improvement.
H However, the barrel
H pumps broke down occa-

_--Valve stem H sionally, and sometimes
fs i oil was spilled on the floor.

— Mr. Robert N. Weibel then

~>--Small plug ~--Lorge plug = suggested a way to dis-
pense with the oil pumps
by using air pressure, to
force the oil out of the
barrel.

Clearance for 5
gallon oil can-~~__

_---Gate valve

|, ----Oil borrel As shown in the sketch at
left, a valve stem from an
old inner tube was found
and a hole was drilled in

a small oil drum plug
_[----4" Pipe slightly larger than the
valve stem. The valve
stem was placed in the
hole and brazed in the plug
to make the joint airtight.
Similarly a hole was drilled
and a half-inch pipe was
brazed in the large plug.

: The length of the pipe was

fj such that the end inside the
[oe wt U barrel was one-eighth inch
from the bottom of the barrel
and the other end protruded through the plug a sufficient length to per-
mit a 1/2-inch gate valve to be placed on it. Two short pieces of pipe,
two elbows, and a short nipple completed the piping assembly as shown.
The arrangement of pipes screwed into the gate valve must be of proper
dimensions to allow clearance for a 5-gallon oil can to be placed on top
of the barrel under the nipple as shown in the drawing. The elbow
between the horizontal pipe and nipple need not be tightened any more
than hand tight. This allows it to be turned upward to stop any oil from
dripping from it.

Pressure to operate this device is furnished by a tire pump through the
valve stem in the small plug. Mr. Weibel recommends that one should
be careful about the amount of air pressure used. If the man operating
this arrangement will place his oil container under the spout and open
the gate valve, and then start pumping air into the barrel, excessive
air pressure will not be developed. He should stop pumping air into
the barrel when the oil starts flowing into the oil can.

17



|

By- pass
channe!

Baffles on

PLAN VIEW OF TYPICAL
INSTALLATION ON WEST CANAL

Angle of upstream water velocity... - - See Detail A
100-0 150 ~ 200
72 at
40° Baffle angle A

ye
oO

Downstream 3°

avg. direction

of water velocity

DETAIL OF WATER VELOCITY DISTRIBUTION

Baffle placed
to support post

Diverter ‘for angle adjust.

wire-.

‘Hinged

connection “Angle adjust

point - stud
and nut.

WEED DIVERTER
DETAIL A IMPROVEMENT

11



REINFORCING STEEL BENDER
(Suggestion R5-RG-61-5)

The Rio Grande Project manufactures concrete piling for use on the
project in which rings of reinforcing steel are used. It is required
that these rings have an overall diameter of 6-5/8 inches with two
legs 2 inches long and 5-1/2 inches apart as shown in Figures 1 and
2. These rings are very difficult to bend by hand because of their
small diameter and of the two legs sticking out from the side of the
ring.

Mr. Robert P. Marin, Machinist, on the Rio Grande Project, solved
the problem by making a roller-type reinforcing-steel bender which
is shown in Figures 3 and 4. Mr. Marin states that his bender per-
mits one man to make one of these rings in 1 minute. Should the
personnel of any project be interested in getting more information
about this device, it is suggested that they write to the Project

Fig. 1--Re-bar ring made with Fig. 2--Re-bar ring made with
bender. bender.

Fig. 3--Bender mounted on pipe Fig. 4--Bender in final position
support and initial position of after bending bar.
re-bar before bending.

21



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PARTS WASHER
(Suggestion R5-RG-61-25)

The sketch on the following page is a device suggested by Mr. J. V.
Williams, Equipment Operator on the Rio Grande Project, El Paso,
Texas, for washing and cleaning oil, grease and foreign substances
from automotive and other mechanical parts. The washer consists

of a washing pan with the nonflammable washing liquid being circu-
lated through the pan and a filter for removing the oil, grease, and
other foreign matter. The device was suggested as a means of avoid-
ing the use of more flammable cleaning fluids such as kerosene, etc.,
and of using nonflammable cleaning fluids to better advantage.

The washer is composed of two 100-pound grease drums; several
lengths of 3/4-inch pipe and fittings, an automobile water pump, a
small electric motor and foot switch, and two metal racks mounted
on a movable base. One drum is cut lengthwise and serves as a
removable washing basin. A metal grid placed in this basin serves
as a rack on which the parts to be cleaned can be placed. The second
drum serves as the base for the basin and the top of this drum is cut
to fit the removable basin. In the bottom of the drum which serves as
a base, a second metal grid is placed to serve as a rack to support
cotton mill wastes which in turn serve as a filter for the removal of
oil, grease and other foreign materials from the cleaning fluid. The
remaining assembly consists of the piping and installation of the pump,
motor, and necessary electrical and piping connections.

The washing and cleaning device was constructed in the project shops
using for the most part, scrap and discarded materials. The cost of
construction, primarily for the labor involved, was about $40.00.
The device discourages the use of flammable material which is a haz-
ard to men, equipment, and buildings, and makes it possible to doa
better job of cleaning parts with greater ease and in less time.

OOK OK OK OK

OPERATING DECK AND VALVE HANDWHEEL
MODIFICATION FACILITATE OPERATIONS
(Suggestion R1-62-27)

The present method of opening and closing 18-inch valves, located in
the outlet tunnel and the power tunnel in Palisades Dam requires three
or four men working in relays of two in order to operate the valves
against the pressure of the water in the reservoir. Mr. Chester A.
Warwick, Assistant Powerplant Operator at Palisades, suggested that
the hazards could be eliminated by the installation of a small deck
upon which the operator could stand safely and solidly while turning
the valve handwheels, and the addition of spokes to the outside of the
valve handwheels to permit more efficient use of the operator's energy.

18


Pressure in the pipe varies from 58 to 110 pounds per square inch
depending on headwater elevation. Turning the valve handwheels
required considerable effort to be expended while standing in an
extremely awkward and hazardous position, that is, standing on the
18-inch pipe (usually wet) using one hand to move the handwheel and
the other to maintain balance. Potential injuries include strained
muscles from exerting considerable force while in an awkward posi-
tion, head injuries from slipping and head striking the concrete wall,
and leg and ankle injuries from slipping from the pipe to the sump
floor.

Mr. Warwick's suggestion, as shown in detail below, has made oper-
ation of the valves by two men possible. One man alone could prob-
ably now operate the valves, if necessary.

NOTES

Deck os drawn would not
interfere with sump pump
or other piping

Ample clearance to permit
addition of 6" spokes to

OPERATING DECK
valve handwheels

3 s
Ig" PIPES,

Suggested Construction:

DECK -¥%" plywood or %4"
steel plate

DECK FRAME ~ 2": 2 "angie iron

LEGS ~ 1¥4"or 2" iron pipe,
braced os required

weld brace to 18" pipe } G
to prevent shitting’

t+
4 Note: vaive in 14*pipe may be
*, ” easily operated from the
i sump floor.
— t
TEES eae
SECTION A-A

DETAIL G
5360.5 VALVE HANOWHEEL

“Hoey

Beto!

SECTION B-B

20


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lL ‘2M UN
~ ‘SM XON
t
=
>@JNfoNJ}s fins Of puag
ajoy YpIM JO"
SS EWA
° S-adig 3 ~ . = ” ~aunyond4s, >
wo Slo 7] [4 }---~-------~ 4 a606 siam-{?
LJ

15



(2) () uc WH s-ne=Locking device
@_} 3 «—€ 0 c a 10 amp, 250 volt, 2 wire
One 250 foot receptacles
extension cord 4
“yp —
Uj
GY
(1) Locking device
w) Wg, 10 amp, 250 volt, 2 wire
5 3 o—€ 90 bushing type cable grip
GY plug
Three 50 foot
extension lights
Transformer
single phase (2) Locking device
220/110: 32/16 volt 10 amp, 250 volt, 2 wire
1,000 watt bushing type cable grip
female connector
Power supply =] ot yy
SS SN]



MOTOR LEAD PULLER
(Suggestion R1-62-41)

Considerable damage to motor leads and flexible conduit can result in
the removal or reinstallation of deep well pumps unless some precau-
tions are taken during field operations. With the motor leads pulled
back into the conduit and portions of the conduit removed, less dam-
age to these items occurs and they are out of the way of workmen and
equipment. The remaining conduit also can be capped to prevent water
from entering the conduit and damaging the electrical cable. Sucha
procedure is followed in rectification work on the North Side Irrigation
Field Division of the Minidoka Project.

On long conduit runs and when large electrical cable is used, it is
often impossible to pull the cable by hand. To facilitate the operation,
Harvey E. Graves and Eugene P. Bye developed the device shown in
the sketch below for pulling the electrical cable back into the motor
controller and switch gear cabinet and for pulling the motor leads back
into position for connection to the motor when rectification work has
been completed.

The device is made of 2-inch pipe, with the upright section of pipe
being 42 inches in height. A 12-inch-diameter semicircular base of
sheet metal is welded to the bottom of the upright and reinforcement
angles of the same sheet metal are provided for stability. The 2-inch-
diameter pipe handle is 7 feet in length with the pivot point being 1 foot
from one end. A ring is welded to this end so a cable or rope can be
attached. The pivot consists of a 2- by 2- by 1/2-inch piece of sheet
iron welded to the pipe. The top of the upright pipe is flattened to
accommodate a 2- by 2- by 1/2-inch piece of sheet iron welded inside
the pipe for a filler, so that the pivot piece welded to the pipe handle
will slip down into it. A hole drilled through the pivot pieces accom-
modates a 1/2-inch bolt.

__—Cable or Rope



Photo No. 2

station shown on the diagram, are to a commercially available telem
etering device modified to suit the specific operating needs.

The installed unit at Red Willow Dam is working very satisfactorily
and each time the Reservoir Superintendent wishes the outflow data he
activates the telemeter unit at the dam with the switch on the control
unit in the "'start'' position, Photo No. 2, and then reads the gage
height with the switch in the ''signal'' position. The cost of this type
of installation was easily justifiable on the basis of the elimination of
the vehicle mileage and time required for an 11-mile drive by the
Reservoir Superintendent to obtain outflow data.

The installation at Red Willow Dam is similar to one being used by

the Corps of Engineers at Kanopolis Dam in Kansas, and information
and drawings have been supplied the U. S. Geological Survey at Topeka,
Kansas, which plans to install similar devices at sites where the oper-
ating costs for a commercial telemetering installation were heretofore
too expensive. The device might be of use on other Bureau projects to
meet a problem similar to the one experienced at Red Willow Dam.
For further information write the Chief, Irrigation Division, Kansas
River Projects, Bureau of Reclamation, Post Office Box 737, McCook,
Nebraska, Attention: K-410; or the Assistant Commissioner and Chief
Engineer, Bureau of Reclamation, Denver Federal Center, Denver 25,
Colorado, Attention: D-400.


LIFTING CLAMPS FOR 55-GALLON METAL DRUMS
(Suggestion R1-61-68)

Mr. Floyd R. Culley and Mr. Marion O. Smith of the North Side Irri-
gation Field Division, Minidoka Project, Rupert, Idaho, suggested the
use of the clamp shown in the photograph at left for lifting 55-gallon
metal drums.

The clamp consists of a
spreader bar with a lifter
ring welded to the center
for low overhead clearance.
Lifting chains are welded
to each end of the spreader
bar and to the compression
band. The compression
band is a steel band, which
can be contracted by a lever
similar to a chain binder,
and can easily be operated
by one hand.

When open, the compres-
sion band drops easily over
the drum, and is in correct
position just below the top
ring pat the barrel when the spreader bar rests upon the top of the drum.
Mr. Culley and Mr. Smith say that this device does not damage a drum,
even the nonreturnable ones, which are easily bent and broken when
filled with extra heavy contents. The device also protects returnable
drums which sometimes become bent in handling, reducing their value
from $6.00 to nothing.

Using this lifting clamp, one man and a hoist can load or unload full or
partially full drums. It also eliminates the dangerous practice of per-
sonnel handling drums in limited space, on slick steel truck beds, con-
crete floors, and in pickups.

AIR PRESSURE FORCES LIQUIDS FROM BARRELS
(Suggestion R1-61-59)

On the North Side Irrigation Field Division of the Minidoka Project, a
large amount of oil is used in the drip pots to lubricate the shafting of
the deep well pumps and it is the ditchrider's job to be sure the drip

pots are kept filled. A rack was used to hold the oil drums, but often
the drum would be left empty on the rack or it would not contain quite
enough oil for the ditchrider's needs. Then the ditchrider would need

16


the North Platte River Projects area. The system consists of a trans-
former, three 50-foot extension lights, one 250-foot extension cord, a
supply cord to feed the transformer, and a complete set of plugs, con-
nectors, and receptacles.

The diagram, page 7, shows the principal components of the system
and their arrangement, except as shown in the photograph above, a
rack for holding the supply cord is welded onto the frame of the port-
able unit. The complete cost of the material plus the labor to assem-
ble the unit was $173.75. This did not include the cost of a circuit
breaker which was added later in the secondary circuit to provide for
over current protection, as required in the National Electrical Code.
Cost of a circuit breaker suitable for providing adequate protection is
estimated to cost about $7.00.

It has been pointed out that it is desirable that the unit be enclosed in
a moisturetight, oil-resistant container, if the unit is to be subject

to dampness or used within the moist confines of a penstock or located
in a similar exposed condition. Sheet metal boxes, sufficiently insu-
lated for such exposure are obtainable at a cost of about $25.00,
although confinement of the unit in such a case may reduce the output
of the system to some degree.

If further information is desired, please write the Director, Region 7,
or the Assistant Commissioner and Chief Engineer, Bureau of Recla-
mation, Denver Federal Center, Denver 25, Colorado.

OR ke

6


Manager, Rio Grande Project, 211 U.S. Court House, El Paso,
Texas, or to the Assistant Commissioner and Chief Engineer, Bureau
of Reclamation, Denver Federal Center, Denver 25, Colorado, Atten-
tion: D-410.

SKIMMER GATE AT GRANITE REEF DIVERSION DAM

When the Granite Reef Dam on the Salt River Project was rehabili-
tated in 1958, a novel arrangement to skim off the floating trash and
debris was installed in the sluiceway. Radial gates were installed
as sluice gates on both sides of the dam, and one gate on each side
was equipped with a ''skimmer gate."

The radial gate, see photograph on front cover page, is really two
gates, one on top of the other. The upper portion of this gate can be
raised independently of the lower section, and when so raised allows
the water to flow over the lower gate. This opening allows the debris
that is floating on top of the river to be passed over the dam and be
sent downstream. When the skimmer gate is closed, the radial gate
is the same height as the other gates in the sluiceway.

As shown in the sketch on page 23, the skimmer gate is a radial gate
with its hinge in the pin plate of the bottom portion. When it is
desired to sluice the structure by raising the gates, the whole gate
can be raised by a hoist attached to the bottom sector. When "skim-
ming" only is required, the upper portion of the gate only is raised
by the smaller downstream hoist.

The Salt River Project is very well pleased with this type of gate as
it removes the debris from the river without loss of very much water
as would be the case if the radial gates of the sluiceway would be
opened to sluice the floating debris downstream. If additional infor-
mation is desired, contact the General Manager, Salt River Valley
Water Users' Association at Tempe, Arizona, or to the Assistant
Commissioner and Chief Engineer, Bureau of Reclamation, Denver
Federal Center, Denver 25, Colorado.

22



Re Je WhbLsoa_
Department of the Tuterior

Bureau of Reclamation
~ K-12

\OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
| EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES

October, November and December 1962

i——]}

=>

4 RELEASE NO. 42
eo

ra ]

=

f—— J

i—— |

=
Ss
fod
Ee |
7

A

P-250 -34083

CONTENTS

Telemeter Reports Outflow Data
Motor Lead Puller

Power Auger Made Safe

32-Volt Lighting Systems

Marking Shaft, Bearing Races and Housings to Indicate
Undesirable Movement

Making Boundary Lines Clearer

Weed Diverter Improvement

Mechanical Press Used to Straighten Check Gate Guides

Does Your Firm’s Preventive Maintenance Program Cover
Fuel-Tank Care?

Surge Arrester Simplifies Water Measurement with Constant
Head Orifice

Lifting Clamps for 55-Gallon Metal Drums
Air Pressure Forces Liquids from Barrels
Parts Washer

Operating Deck and Valve Handwheel Modification Facilitate
Operations

Reinforcing Steel Bender
Skimmer Gate at Granite Reef Diversion Dam


Inspection cover--~__ Points to be marked

4 \

----Points to be marked

--Gap

housing

SIDE ELEV END ELEV.
MOTOR

NOTES

Gap is measured as shown in four places between the
stator and rotor to check for bearing wear.

Points on shaft and shaft housing to be marked so they
can be lined up then measurements can be taken at
the same place each time.

Bearing bracket

‘ _- Inspection cover

Point to be marked og bearing bracket.
-Point to be marked on outside bearing race.
--Point to be marked on inside bearing race.

Radial bearing... ;

pen
i ~->=---- Point to be marked on pump shaft.

_ oo
|
|

rou

NOTES

Points are marked as shown, these points
are used to determine whether or not bearing

SECTION THRU PUMP races have turned on the pump shoft.

SHAFT AND BEARING All bearings on pump shaft marked in the
same way



MARKING SHAFT, BEARING RACES AND HOUSINGS TO
INDICATE UNDESIRABLE MOVEMENT
(Suggestion R1-62-67)

Sometimes the inner race of the bearing turns on the pump shaft caus-
ing considerable damage. This has resulted in the need for a complete
dismantling of the pump and major repairs. Likewise, the outside
bearing races have turned in the bearing housings causing damage and
costly repairs.

In order to readily detect the above condition, Mr. Loren C. Pruett
of the North Side Irrigation Field Division, of the Minidoka Project,
suggested that a vibrator-type electric etcher be used to mark certain
points on bearings, races, shafts and bearing housings on electric
motors and pumps. The shaft and inside bearing race on the pumps
should be marked in corresponding locations and the outside bearing
race should be marked in a like manner to aline with the bearing hous-
ing as shown in the upper sketch on page 9. It will then be possible to
determine, by visual inspection, if the inside bearing race has turned
on the shaft, or if the outside race has turned in the housing.

It is Mr. Pruett's opinion that if the corresponding marks are put on
the races, housings and shafts that slippage could be detected readily
and major damages be prevented. The inspection of these markings
could be a part of the annual maintenance program, or be inspected
more frequently if bearing trouble is suspected.

Each year a measurement is taken of the air gap between rotor and
stators on the electric motors to determine bearing wear. By placing
marks at certain locations on the bearing housings and shafts, as
shown on the lower sketch, page 9, the measurement can be taken in
the same place each year, rather than at various points on the rotor.
The rotors are not uniform (measurements in thousandths of inches)
and therefore bearing wear is not accurately determined until it is
badly worn. By taking the measurement at the same point, the bear-
ing wear is determined immediately. This will give sufficient warn-
ing for replacing the bearings in off season shutdown, thus avoiding a
possible breakdown during the irrigation season.

If additional information is desired, it may be obtained by writing to
the Regional Director, Bureau of Reclamation, Post Office Box 937,
Boise, Idaho; or the Assistant Commissioner and Chief Engineer,
Bureau of Reclamation, Denver Federal Center, Denver 25, Colorado,
Attention: D-410.

*
*
%
*
*


POWER AUGER MADE SAFE
(Suggestion R1-61-30)

The shutoff switch on a power auger used by Region 1 was located on
the forward end of the engine. The two men who operate this equip-
ment are usually at the rear and left rear of the machine in the imme-
diate vicinity of the auger flights. The engine, drive mechanism, and
auger flights were located between the shutoff switch and anyone work-
ing in the vicinity of the auger flights. If anyone was accidentally
caught in the auger flights or drive mechanism that propel the flights,
he would be unable to shut off the machine and the other person could
be delayed in shutting off the engine.

Mr. Frank J. Smith of the Snake River Development Office suggested
that a shutoff switch be wired through the main switch and be installed
at the left rear of the auger machine, adjacent to the auger mast. At
that location, the shutoff switch would be instantly available to either
of the two men in the event of any emergency. Mr. Smith's suggestion
was adopted by the Snake River Development Office and the switch has
been installed.

It is believed that other projects may be interested in this safety sug-
gestion and may want to adopt it. If additional information is desired,
write to Snake River Development Office, Bureau of Reclamation,

214 Broadway, Boise, Idaho; or to the Assistant Commissioner and
Chief Engineer, Bureau of Reclamation, Denver Federal Center,
Denver 25, Colorado, Attention: D-410.

KOK OK OR OK

32-VOLT LIGHTING SYSTEMS
(Suggestion R7-60-204-Gp)

The Power System Safety Handbook states in part, 'When working in or
inspecting scroll cases, draft tubes, and other enclosed damp locations,
portable lighting equipment energized at not more than 32 volts nominal
shall be used, except when special local conditions make this impracti-
cal * * *."' There are available commercially 32-volt electrical systems,
but a problem exists in procuring a system at reasonable cost that has
sufficient capacity. Most commercial systems have a capacity of only
400 watts, while 1,000 watts or more are needed for lighting and the
operation of power tools.

To overcome the above deficiencies in commercial 32-volt electrical
systems the system shown in the photograph on the following page was
designed to provide safe working conditions in closed and grounded-
metallic areas, where a faulty cord or light socket could cause a
potential of 120 volts to ground to be encountered. The system was
designed and constructed by Charles R. Brandenburg, Electrician,
and Joseph W. Hamm, Powerplant Foreman, Alcova Power Plant, of



NOTES

All pipe is 3-inch.

vial ii or equivalent.
\
i |
\ © | a
NL 7 _
wo ~--+-Iron grid
PLAN
Cloth nozzle ~
to avoid splashing--._ f
TM bn
A i\ Removable--_ MN
athe srl
iv wm H
1
oT Cotton mill wastes
ih for filter ----___ /
\ > yi
il Rack to =
HH support filter-~__ \
iH Automobile ‘.
i {water pump a
2 ‘\ -Electric motor ‘
Foot switch pV ’ 4

Drums are 100lb. grease drums

-Brace

ELEVATION

=

PARTS WASHER



TELEMETER REPORTS OUTFLOW DATA

A telemeter unit installed in conjunction with a bubbler gage at the
outflow station at Hugh Butler Lake with the control unit installed in
the Reservoir Superintendent's Office at Red Willow Dam eliminates
an 11-mile drive by the Superintendent to obtain outflow data from the
dam. The bubbler gage, Photo No. 1, is similar to the ones in use in
major locations in the Kansas River Projects Area, described in
Operation and Maintenance Equipment and Procedures Release No. 35.
The telemeter unit at the dam is shown to the left of the bubbler gage
recorder,

The telemeter unit and the control unit are connected by a telephone
pair on a leased basis from the local telephone company. The telem-
eter unit at the site of the gaging station is battery powered; there-
fore, no outside source of electrical power is required. The control
unit, Photo No. 2, at the reservoir superintendent's office utilizes
standard 110-volt current. The installation requires only a low-grade
(0-15 cycle per second) telephone pair. As a result a more costly
full-voice circuit (0-3, 000 cycles per second) is not necessary. The
monthly cost of a commercial installation with capability of a full-
voice circuit would have been about $42.50 per month, as compared
to the leasing of about 5-1/2 miles of telephone line at $4.00 per month
for the present installation. The cost of the parts for the control unit
was $26.00 and the labor for the assembly was $15.00.

The diagram on page 2 shows the schematic arrangement of the meter-
ing and control units. Telemeter installation connections at the gaging

Photo No. 1


MECHANICAL PRESS USED TO STRAIGHTEN
CHECK GATE GUIDES
(Suggestion R5RG-61-7)

Cold-rolled structural-steel channels are sometimes used for the gate
guides on checks. When they are, it is necessary to weld reinforcing
bars to the back side of the channel in order to tie it to the concrete.
This welding operation can cause the channel to buckle and change its
original form. A shop hydraulic press usually used to straighten the
channels is awkward for this operation and requires the services of
two men.

Mr. Robert P. Marin, Machinist of the Rio Grande Project, made a
mechanical press to straighten these channels. The press is made

out of a piece of railroad rail, a lever, and an eccentric as shown in
photographs below. Mr. Marin claims this press does a good job of
straightening the channel and only requires the services of one man.

P23-D-35533 P23-D-35534

Mechanical press for straighten- Mechanical press with lever in
ing check gate guides. vertical position.

Mechanical press with check Applying pressure to check
gate guides in press. gate guide to straighten.

12


Water in the fuel will harm the close-fitting, precision working
parts in the fuel system, and result in premature wear.

Every 500 to 15, 000 miles you should drain off water and sedi-
ment accumulations from the bottom of the tank. The removal
of the sediment from the tank will increase the service life of
your filters.

The preventive maintenance required by the fuel tank is simple,
and in most applications can be easily performed by the operator
or amechanic. Far from being an optional item, it can be one of
the really important parts of your overall preventive -maintenance
program.

oho ok

SURGE ARRESTER SIMPLIFIES WATER MEASUREMENT
WITH CONSTANT HEAD ORIFICE
(Suggestion R1CB-60-130)

Sometimes the water in the well between the gates of a constant head
orifice turnout is turbulent, making the gage hard to read. Mr. Harold
W. Beavers of the Columbia Basin Project suggests placing a metal box
around the gage to quiet the water in that area. This device, as shown
in sketch, page 15, consists of a metal box 7 by 15 by 28 inches for the
installation in the Columbia Basin Project, for which Mr. Beavers made
his suggestion. The dimensions will vary with the various installations,
since the top should be about 0. 4 foot above the control water surface.

The two-sided box is made of 1/8-inch sheet metal and has a 1/2-inch
hole in the bottom to allow water to enter. It is bolted by the ears to
the two sides of the concrete wall of the turnout well by 1/4- by 2-inch
bolts, which can be shot into the wall with a nail gun. On the Columbia
Basin Project installation, the metal is protected by using the same
kind of a paint as is used on the large canal gates.

Mr. Beavers states that this means of turbulence or surge control has
been used on several constant head orifice turnouts on the George Water-
master Section of the Columbia Basin Project for the past 2 years, and

it has been found to be very effective. Other projects may have similar
trouble reading the gages in the wells of the constant head orifice turn-
outs and may want to use Mr. Beavers' suggested remedy. If additional
information is desired, write to Regional Director, Bureau of Reclama-
tion, Box 937, Boise, Idaho, or to the Assistant Commissioner and Chief
Engineer, Bureau of Reclamation, Denver 25, Colorado, Attention: D-410.

ORK KR

14


OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES
Release No. 42

OCTOBER, NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 1962

INTRODUCTION

The Operation and Maintenance Equipment and Procedures release,
published quarterly, is circulated for the benefit of irrigation project
operation and maintenance people. Its principal purpose is to serve
as a medium for exchanging operation and maintenance information.
It is hoped that the labor-saving devices or less costly equipment
developed by the resourceful water users will be a step toward com-
mercial development of equipment for use on irrigation projects ina
continued effort to reduce costs and increase operating efficiency.

This issue, Release No. 42, includes, page 1, an article on a telem-
eter unit which eliminates an 11-mile drive to obtain outflow data
from a dam; on page 13, an article on fuel-tank care; page 22, a spe-
cial skimmer gate in use on a diversion dam with considerable suc-
cess and in addition several very useful devices developed by the
resourceful operators of our projects.

To assure proper recognition of those individuals whose suggestions
are published in the bulletin, the suggestion number as well as the
person's name is given. All Bureau offices are reminded to notify
their Suggestions Awards Committee when a suggestion is adopted.

ERRATA--There was included in Release No. 41 of the bulletin for
July, August and September, 1962, beginning on page 18,
the article ''The Use of Low Pressure Gas for Remote
Power Units." The underlined words were erroneously
used as an amplification of the abbreviation "L.P.' The
correct amplification should have been ''Liquified Petro-
leum." Please correct pages 18 and 19 of your issue of
the bulletin accordingly.

RE

Division of Irrigation Operations
Office of Assistant Commissioner and Chief Engineer
Denver, Colorado



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Cover sheet. The photo on the front cover is a radial gate installed
at Granite Reef Diversion Dam. It is really two gates one on top of
the other. The upper portion of the gate can be raised independently
of the lower section, and when so raised allows the water to flow
over the lower gate. This opening allows debris that is floating on
top of the water to be passed over the dam and be sent downstream,
See Article on page 22. Photograph No. P-25-D-34083


MAKING BOUNDARY LINES CLEARER
(Suggestion R7-61-60)

In the Estes-Marys Lake area on the Colorado-Big Thompson Project,
encroachment on Bureau land has been a problem frequently. In order
to make it easier to point out the boundary of Bureau land, Mr. George
G. Adamson of the Estes-Marys Lake Section of the Colorado-Big
Thompson Project suggested driving a steel fencepost, painted red and
white, at all angle point markers. He felt this would help cure the
encroachment problem and would assist in pointing out the boundary

te persons owning land adjoining or to parties interested in obtaining
easements or rights-of-way, etc.

Mr. Adamson's idea was carried out, and it has proved to be very sat-
isfactory and time saving, because many of the older markers were
hidden by grass, brush, and trees and could not be seen readily.

XK OK OK KK

WEED DIVERTER IMPROVEMENT
(Suggestion R1CB-61-27)

One of the main problems to be solved on the weed diverters on the
Royal Field Branch of the Columbia Basin Project was to keep the
weeds from hanging up at the wire support posts. Previously many
variations of the diverter principle were tried, but they all involved
supporting the wires which created a place where weeds could accu-
mulate. The diverters were installed to facilitate quick, efficient
weed removal at a few known places where equipment could be made
readily available for their removal from canals. Otherwise, weed
jams might occur at inconvenient and inaccessible locations.

Mr. William M. Savage of the Irrigation O&M Royal Field Branch
suggested that a baffle-type effect be created to decrease the water
velocity near the support posts. The sketch, page 11, shows the appli-
cation of Mr. Savage's suggestion. Actual field tests of this suggestion
have shown that a weed sliding along the wire will move out away from
the wire, as it passes the post and then will return to slide along the
wire to the next post or storage area (bypass channel) as shown. The
information gained from these tests helped determine the proper angle
of the installation as well as the size of the baffle.

Should personnel on other projects be interested in obtaining additional
information about Mr. Savage's suggestion they should write to the Proj-
ect Manager, Columbia Basin Project, Post Office Box 368, Ephrata,
Washington; or the Assistant Commissioner and Chief Engineer, Bureau
of Reclamation, Denver Federal Center, Denver 25, Colorado.

10


It is thought that other projects may have a similar problem and may
want to use Mr. Marin's idea. For additional information about his
mechanical press, write to the Project Manager, Rio Grande Project,
211 U.S. Court House, El Paso, Texas, or to the Assistant Commis-
sioner and Chief Engineer, Denver Federal Center, Denver 25, Colo-
rado.

OK OK KK

DOES YOUR FIRM'S PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
COVER FUEL-TANK CARE?

(Reprinted from the August 1962 issue of CONTRACTORS and
ENGINEERS with the permission of the Editor)

Do you perform any preventive maintenance on the fuel tanks in the
equipment you own or operate? Do you realize that an improperly
maintained fuel tank can result in poor performance, downtime, and
expensive replacement of engine components?

Engineers of a diesel engine manufacturer suggest that you give some
thought to the matter of fuel-tank maintenance. To begin with, see
how you or your service crew would answer the following questions:

1. Do you use only the proper grade of fuel oil as prescribed in
the manufacturer's fuel-oil selection chart?

2. Do you keep the fuel tank filled when the unit is not operating,
thereby reducing condensation to a minimum?

3. Do you drain off any water or sediment from the bottom of the
fuel tank every 500 to 15,000 miles?

4. Do you service the oil filters at periodic intervals as recom-
mended in the manufacturer's manual?

Obviously, for correct maintenance of fuel tanks, your answers to the
above questions should be yes. Here are the reasons:

A great deal of laboratory and field testing time has gone into
gathering the information contained in the manufacturer's fuel-oil
selection chart. The use of this chart will eliminate guesswork.
Purchasing and using the fuel oil recommended by the chart is a
big step in the direction of preventing poor performance

The fuel tank should always be kept full when the unit is shut down.
This is especially true when the machine will be inoperative dur-
ing an extended period during cold weather. When the fuel tank is
full, very little condensation will take place.

13