LOADING AND UNLOADING CARS 



327 



and carries a portable track with hinged end sections which may 

 be lowered onto the rails and thus provide a continuous track 

 through the loader. 



In operation a train of empties is pushed out to the loader and 

 backed through it until the last car comes in proper position, 

 under the boom, for loading. As other empty cars are required 

 a cable connected to a drum is run through the machine and is 

 attached to the draw bar of the first empty car. This car 

 is then hauled through the loader, pushing the loaded car forward 



Fig. 95. — A McGiffert Log Loader. 



until the succeeding empty one is in position for loading. The 

 work proceeds in this manner until the skidway has been emptied. 



The Decker can travel under its own power from one point to 

 another, and can switch cars if necessary, although the latter is 

 not economical if a locomotive is available. It is recommended 

 for narrow-gauge steel and wooden railroads. The Decker 

 loader costs from $4500 to $6000. 



(/) McGiffert. — This loader is similar in operation to the 

 Decker. It has one elevated deck which carries the working 

 parts and when the machine is loading the frame is supported on 

 four corner posts or ''spuds" which are curved in toward the 



