The Hawaiian gazette., 1888-06-12
transportation OF Cane ut Paauhau.

Transportation OF Cane ut Paauhau.
On account of the lands of the Pau
han plantation rising so rapidly from the
sea, there being difference in elevation
Of $50 feet in q mile and q half, it
would be almost impossible and very
expensive to transport the cane from the
upper lands to the mill by the ordinary
systems, except huming.
This difficulty has led to the trial Of
several systems, namely, the zigzag rail-
road, the wire rope-way, and the pres
ent, gravity railroad, which is oper-
sted very successfully.
A short description OF the same NAV
be OF use to those who have similar diff
culties to overcome.
The road is 1900 feet in length lai 1
with two lines for little more than the
lower half, so that the trains can pass
one another, the upper portion having
but three rails, the middle one carrying
the inside wheels of both trains. The
lower ends of the tracks are switch
ed into the main horizontal line, used
for supplying the mill from outside
lands.
At the top OF the road is placed the
brake arrangements, consisting Of a
tWo-grooYed wheels, eight and
haf feet in diameter with brake
hange cast on the top side, of the
same diameter, and four inches in
width. The grooves are made V shape,
with recess turned in the bottom to
hold one inch square Tuck's packing,
which prevents the wearing of the rope,
and increases the friction.
The pulley lies horizontally and re
wolves on an axle, in two bearings fast
ened to wooden frame.
The rope from one track is passed half
way round the pulley in one groove,
then over guide pulley six feet in dia-
meter, placed to clear the main pulley
by foot or so. This pulley
guides the rope into the second
groove Of tho main pulley around
which it passes, and down the other
track, each end being connected to
train of five cars, one train when at rest
being at the top Of the incline and the
other at the bottom, and each capable OF
holding ten tons of cane.
The cars at the top are filed with cane
from the loading station arranged along
side, high enough to allow the cane to
be handled conveniently. When filled
rhe brake on the brake pulley
~ the bottom OF the track, its extra
weight drawing up an empty train to the
loading station.
i On the arrival of the loaded train at
the bottom it is detached from the rope
by means of an opening link, and runs
down on the main horizontal line, to be
used when required at the mill, and an
empty train fastened to the end of the
rope, flag is now hoisted as a signal to
those above, SO that when their train is
loaded it is lowered as before. The time
occupied in making trip is six and
half minutes.
The rope is of steel seven-eighths of an
inch in diameter, weighing three tons.
1t is supported at intervals of about 120
feet by idler pulleys of twelve inches in
diameter lined with strands of old rope
to relieve the wear on the rope.
The brake band is lined with blocks Of
wood and is operated with screw and
wheel Of two feet in diameter, the man
requiring to use but little power to con
troll the motion OF the train.
BY the use of the gravity railroad suffi-
Gent cane is cut and delivered on the
cane carrier at the mill to make forty
i've CHARTERS day of ten hours, with
ninety-three men, This number includ-
ing the drivers OF the ten four mule
wagons on which the cane is transported
from the field to the station, distance
at present Of two-thirds of q mile. In
case more cane is needed the force can
be increased all round.
By moving one brake arrangement to
stition lower down on the same track
and using shorter rope, the cane from
lower fields can be handled convent
emily, and by using such lines at dis
tancea along the face OF the lands, the
hauling with wagons can be very much
rednced. The cars from all gravity roads
being switched to one main horizontal
road down which they run by gravity,
the empty cars being hauled up by two
mules.