The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1908-06-05
ROAD DRAG
]. S. Coed Roads Department
Issues Important Bulletin.

sued by the Office OF Public Roads
OF the United States Department of
Agriculture treats of the split-log drag
An implement which numerous exper-
iments have conclusively shown ~
bet he greatest possible boon TO keep
earth roads smooth and passAble.
Because of its simplicity, It's efficien-
cy and its eheapnsss, both in con-
struction and operation. 1t is desdn-
ed TO come more aud more into gem
eral use. With the drag properly
built and is use we'll understood,
the maintenance OF earth roads be-
comes simple and inexpensive mat
ter. w. ....s
At the present time there are APP
Iproximately 2oOn.n95 miles of earth
roads in Che United States. Some OF
the most important OF these roads
will eventually be improved with
stone, gravel. and other materials.
Many Others which are equally i'm
lporrant cannot be so improved on ac-
count of lack OF funds or suitable ma
terials, while s,ill Others will not re-
quire such treatment because of the
light traffic TO which they are sub
jected. For these reasons the major
| ityo our roads must be maintain
ed as earth roads for many years 10
come. This must be done by inexpen-
sive methods and the split-log drag
will be a powerful aid to economy is
the criterion demand
In the construction Of this nipple
ment, care should be taken to make
1t so light that one man can lift it
with ease, light drag responding
more readily to various methods Of
hitehiHg than heavy one, as we'll
as to the shifting of the position Of
the operator. The b5st material for
split-log drag is a dry red cedar
log, though elm, and walnut are ex-
cellent, and box elder, soft maple,
or even willow are superior TO oak,
hickory, or ash. The log should be
between Z and 10 feet long and from
10 to u inches in diameter at he
but end. 1t should be split CAREFUL
y as near the center as possible,
and the heaviest and best slab chos-
en- for the front. In the front slab
four inches from the end which is
to drag in the middle OF the road
bore a Pinch hole which Is TO re-
ceive a cross stake. At a distance oil
% inches from the other end OF the
front slab, locate the center for an
other cross stake. The hole for the
middle stake will be on a line con-
Meeting and halfway between the
two. Then place the back slab In
position from the end which is tc
drag in the middle OF the road meas
ure 20 inches for the center OF the
cross stake and six inches from llt
other end locate the center OF the
opposite stake. The hole for the cen
ter stake should be located halfway
between the Two All thse hols should
be carefully bored perpendicular o.
at right angles to the face Of th'
split log.
II these directions are followed j
, will be found that when the holes o
. the front and back slabs are brough
opposite each other, one end Of chs
back slab will be 16 inches nearel
the center of the roadway than thu
front one. That gives what is know
as set back" The stakes which
are 80 inches long, will hold the slab
: this distance apart. When the stake
have been firmly wedged into thei
sockets, brace about Two inchet
thick and 4 inches wide may beplac
ed diagonally to them at the ditcl
end OF the drag. A cleated board !
placed between the slabs and acros
} the stakes for the driver to stan,
on.
BY many It is deemed best :
: place a strip Of iron along the iron
: face of the front slab for cutln
: blade and to prevent the drag froI
; wearing. The drag may be fastene
: to the doubletree by means of
3 trace chain. The chain should b
! wrapped around the lefs-hand or res
: stake and passed over the fror
slab. Raising the chain at this en-
: Of the slab permits the earth I
: drift past the face Of the drag. I'll
: other end Of Che chain should !
= passed through a hole in the oppt
: site end Of the front slab and hel
y by a pin passed through link.
: For ordinary purposes the hitc
= should be made that the unloade
: drag will follow the team at an al
= gle Of about As degrees, The tea
: should be driven with one horse c
= eithr side of the right-hand whe
3 track or rut the full length of Il
2 portion to be dragged, and made
3 return in the same manner over Il
; other half of the roadway. SUE
= treatment will move the earth t
= wards the center OF the roadway al