CHAPTER VTTI. 



SPECIAL DEVICES. 



PACKING DEVICE (QUARTERMASTER CORPS). 



(Figs. 114, 115, lie, 117.) 



Sec. 133. This device consists of three parts — the frame, the plat- 

 forms (2), the lashing. (Figs. 114, 115, 116, 117). 



The packing device was designed to meet the requirements of men 

 not skilled in the use of the diamond and other hitches to secure a load 

 on the pack mule. 



To assemhle the pad- device. — Place the frame on the aparejo so that 

 its staple holes fit over the staples on the latter; and pass the straps on 

 the sobre-jalma througli the staples; pass the cincha (n^er the side 

 bars, finger loop up, and cincha strap to the left; double the cincha 

 over the frame, strap inside; double or turn the crupper forward so 

 that the dock piece rests on the cincha. 



To place the aparejo on the mule, see Chapter III, sections 18 to 23, 

 inclusive. The "frame" of the packing device being attached to the 

 aparejo, two packers should assist in placing the aparejo on the mule, 

 from rear to front, in proper position, and cinching in customary man- 

 ner. The platforms are now placed in position, one on each side of 

 the frame, the top and bottom rods resting on the hook ])lates or rests, 

 s])aced apart as may be required by the conditions of loading, as each 

 platform is independent of the other, the ''near" side platform may 

 be carried higher on the hook plates, as the greater weight of the near 

 side ])ack may require, so as to balance the load evenly on the pack 

 mule; the locks or holdfasts are then adjusted, the hooks of the locks 

 being pressed into the under oj)enings of the hook plates or rests, thus 

 holding the platforms rigidly in position; the side ])acks or top load, 

 as conditions may be, are placed on the platforms and the load se- 

 cured by its lashing. To place the '' lashing" on the load, each ])acker 

 will hold one-half of lashing, embracing three latigos, so as to keep the 

 lash rods toward the body, then from rear to front elevate or swing the 

 lashing so as to rest on top and center of load; the center latigo on 

 each side is then made fast to the drop link at center of distance rod, 

 observing the square of lashing is kept on center and top of load ; this 

 leaves a latigo fore and aft on each side of the load; now attach the 

 ropes for lashing, one on each side, to the forward latigo, then bring 

 the rope section under the boot of the aparejo, and attach the latigo 

 at rear to the ring on end of section of rope, taking slack on latigos 

 fore and aft, to securely tighten the load, always observing the section 

 of rope is kept evenly divided fore and aft. It will be noticed that drop 

 links are provided on the platforms fore and aft. The latigos may 

 pass through these drop links before attaching to the rings on each end 



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