The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-05-08
HOW TO USE A DRAG.


with this implement very simple. The
first concerns the length and position
of the hitch. while the second deals
with the position of the driver on the
drag Each influences the other to a
large extent, and successful manipula
ton of the drag is dependent upon an
understanding of both of them.
For ordinary purposes the snatch
link or clevis should be fastened far
enough toward the blade end of the
chain TO force the unloaded drag to
follow the team at an angle of 45 de-
.rces. This will cause the earth to
move along the face of the drag
smoothly and will give comparatively
light draft to the team, provided the
driver rides in the line of draft. Some
times. however. conditions are met
which require special treatment. and
in Il rolling country such conditions
are not infrequcnt. Often fiat place
several rods in length or Il seepy spot
needs special attention.
The distance from the drag at which
the team is hitched affects the depth
of the cutting. Shortening the chain
tends to lift the front slab from the
ground;. longer hitch causes the
blade to cut more deeply. The length
of hitch may be regulated by lengthen
ing and shortening the chain at the
end which runs through the hole in the
blade end of the drag.
If small weeds are to be cut or
furrow of earth is to be moved, the
doubletree should be attached rather
close to the ditch end of the drag The
drag will now move nearly ditch end fore
most. and the driver should stand with
one foot OH the extreme forward end
of the front slab. This will swing
the drag back to the proper angle and
will cause the blade to pillow. This
hitch requires slow and careful driving
in order to prevent the drag from tip
ping forward. If the blade should
plow too deeply, as it may do in wet
spot, the driver should shift his weight
toward the back slab.
If straw and weeds clog the blade,
they can usually be removed if the
driver shifts his weight to point as
far as possible from the ditch OF blade
end Similarly, if he steps quickly
away from the ditch end, the load of
earth may be dropped into a low place
or mudhole.
Some attention should be given to
the edge of the blade. In the be-
ginning, the average earth road re-
quircs no steel plate on the drag,
though the drag will be better pre-
served ifssthe steel is applied at first.
At the end of years work, if the
dragging has been faithfully done, Il
steel plate will be needed. If the twist
of the log is properly used, or the
three strip of wood is placed
under the blade as described, flat
piece of steel will answer. In case
the blade stands perpendicularly til
should be slightly cupped when sharp
ened
Usually two horses are enough to
pull a drag over an ordinary earth
road. When four horses are used,
they should be hitched to the drag by
means of four-horse evener. The
team should be driven with one horse
on either side of the right hand wheel
track or rut the full length of the
portion to be dragged, and the return
made over the other half of the road |
way.
The object of such treatment is to
move earth toward the center of the !
roadway and to raise it gradually /,
above the surrounding level. While +,
this is being accomplished, all mud |
holes and ruts will be filled, into :
which traffic will pack the fresh earth. |
The drag does the best work when
the soil is moist. but not sticky. The !
earth then moves freely along the
faces of the slabs. If the roadway is
very badly rutted and full of holes,
it may be well to use the drag once
when the ground is slushy. This; treat
mcnt is particularly applicable before
Il cold spell in winter when it is pos.
BILE to have a roadway freeze smooth.
\ smooth road surface is secured by
this method. Clay, when mixed With
water and thoroughly worked, becomes
remarkably tough and impervious to-
water. If compacted in this condition !
it becomes extremely hard.
Another valuable result of dragging
ticles of clay cohere so tenaciously
that there is but little wear when the
surface is smooth. Dust on an earth
road is due to the breaking UP under
traffic of the frayed and upturned
edges of ruts and hoof prints. If the
surface is smoothed after each rain
and the road dries hard and even. no
edges are exposed to crushing and the
only dust which forms is that due to
actual wear of the road surface
There are so many influences at
work and conditions are so varied in
different localities that it is quite i'm
possible to lay down general rule
for the number of treatments needed
to keep road in good condition. A
tough ebay or stiff sandy clay will
resist the action of wheels and hoofs
for a longer period than loam. other
things being equal. Certain sections
of roadway will require more atten-
ton than others because of steep
grades. seepage, exposure to hillside
wash. etc. The best guide in meeting
these conditions is the knowledge and
experience gained while dragging the
roadway.
There is one condition, however, in
which special treatment should be
given to a road. Clay hills under per-
sistent dragging frequently become too
high in the center. To correct this it
is best to drag the earth toward the