The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-04-23

tnlnnef ana IN some cases Is dispensed
with until the axle has worn trife in use
In such case, if the rear washers are
worn, replace them with new ones and thin
ones front, which prevent heating of axles
and sticking fast.
An exception to this rule arises when
the axle and box are worn; the back washer
should be thinner and front washer thicker:
this forces the wheel back on the larger
part of the axle. Castor oil is frequently
used, and is considered ii good substitute
for lubricating axles. For common axles,
axle grease is used, made specially for this
purpose, but the better the quality Of oil
the better it is for the axles The oils
that should be used on carriages and wagons
are those that do not gum or thicken or
become rancid.
AXLEs AND BONES.
All axles and boxes should be thoroughly
cleaned before fresh oil or grease is used
CASTLE soap with sponge is good for best
quality axleS For common axles. some
rags dipped in coal oil is good to remove
impurities or hardened grease or oil If
more than enough oil is used it oozes out
and escapes over the axles and wheels and
is hard to remove.
The fifth wheel should be fabricated
with graphite, especially prepared for
lubricating purposes, and which will not
soil the gear Grease and oil vehicles
frequently 1t is far better to run the
carriage with creased surfaces and fresh oil
than half dry and eummed up boxes and
axles.
CoLLINGE. BALL AND ROLLER BEARING
AXLES.
The more delicate the axle the more care
should be taken of it to avoid undue friction
and expense. Full Collinge axles are, at
present, exclusively used on the better class
Of work Their complicated and perfect
mechanism require more attention than
common axles. The boxes are much more
liable to stick to the axles than in other
cases. Here are some rules for lubricating,
removing and replacing the nuts, washers
and oil cups.
LOOK CLOSELY.
Examine carefully, each week at least
remove oil cup, collet and inside nut re-
move the wheel; clean axle arm, oil cup
and collet; also remove the washers. ex-
anime and see if they need replacing; clean
them also; clean the groove and axle arm
with a special tool, and this cleaning should
be done with waste or woolen rag; use
some coal oil or benzine to clean it perfect
ly Put the necessary oil in the cup, oil
the arm and the box, with a quill put in a
cork, with best refined OIL Mutton foot
oil is best. Replace the washer, nut collet
and oil cup, and it is done.
Carriages and wagons i'll use every day
should be attended to by careful and ex-
perenced man, who understands how to
wash and keep vehicle in perfect order.
\ well appointed house should be fur
nished, with at least three OF four buckets
and as many sponges and chamois skins,
feather duster, and fine haired brush for
the cushions and Innings, Il dry chamois or
buckskin for polishing the glass and plated
work oil for carriage and harness, of veg
etable and animal composition. They may
be olive oil or the best quality Enseed oil,
or some others specially prepared for the
purpose, either for vehicles or harness.
Two buckets, two sponges and two chamois
skins should be used for washing the We
hicle, one set for the body and one for the
running gear. The reason for this is
obvious. The running gears have gencr-
ally more mud to remove, and it don t do
to use the same cloth for both, as dirt and
crit gets into the one used on the gear
BALL AND ROLLER BEARING AXLES.
The full Collinge axles are generally
made alike, but not 50 with ball and roller
bearing axles Each make is put on and
removed by its own rules. These axles do
not need looking after every week Lift
each wheel in turn from the ground, and
give it whirl; if it grinds the least, it
needs ii drop of OIL Each time the car
riage is taken out it should be examined
this way.
LEATHER ON CARRIAGES, WAGONS AND
HEARSEs.
Leather work needs careful treatment
Very little attention is usually given it, but
it is subject to all sorts of weather, and
needs special care which we will indicate.
Enameled leather, of which tops and
curtains are made, is made by coatngs Of
yamish, and is liable to shrink unless
measures are taken to prevent it. Meats
foot oil is the best for this purpose.
Sperm oil is also good When the leather
is new, rub it with creased rag about
e.
with dry rag to remove grease. Unless
this is done, dust gathers and the surface
becomes gummy and sticky.
When the leather shows signs of shrink
my OF getting hard and lifeless, wash it
with CASTLE soap and warm water This
forces the oil into the grain; use stiff
brush while it is soft from washing
Preparations can be bought specially for
this purpose; most Of them are varnish
compounds, and are sometimes injurious,
hardening and cracking the leather. The
tops of all falling top carriages should be
kept up when they are not in use. This
preserves the shape of the top. In very
cold weather handle leather of any kind
very little, as it is then more liable to
crack. The dashes are made of patent
leather, and as they are liable to shrink
and crack, special care should be taken
with them
CONCERNING VARNISHED SURFACES.
TO keep vanished and painted surfaces
in perfect condition, they should be var,
nished once year If used longer, the
varnish wears and the paint becomes ex-
posed. The paint then cracks, and not
only revarnishing but repainting becomes
necessary, and consumes weeks in the
operation.
Black varnish should always be kept in
the stable, and should be air tight. If the
steps or other wearing surfaces show signs
Of defect, they should be treated at once
u