200 



COALFIELDS AND COLLIKRTFS OF AVSTRALIA. 



The rope used is 3 inches in circumference. The last rope 

 was in use for two years. The rope passes round a nine-foot 

 diameter drum, having a brake path at either end. The speed 

 is regulated by a man who manipulates a band brake by a 

 downward movement, through a system of levers, ropes and 

 chains, from a ship's steering wheel, so situated that he has a 

 good view of the trucks travelling up and down the incline. 

 This drum is supported on a framework well braced against 

 the downhill pull. Water plays upon the brake to prevent the 

 heat generated by friction from igniting the wearing blocks; 

 the quantity of water is regulated by the brakesman" with his 

 foot. The steering wheel is five feet in diameter, and has a four- 

 inch drum, round which are wound two half -inch diameter flex- 

 ible wire ropes, one at each end. These ropes are attached to 



Fig. 124. Brake for Incline. 



chains which pass over and under pulleys to the brake lever, as 

 show in Fig. 124. To the upper side of the lever is another 

 chain with a weight attached to the end passing over a pulley, 

 which serves to bring the lever up again, and lift the blocks off 

 the brake path when the pressure is relieved. The lever is con- 

 nected with the band brake by shafting with cranks on it, the 



