CORRIMAL-BALGOWNIE COLLIERIES. 



209 



serve as sprockets for the chains. The lubricant, which is kept 

 in a trough, is dipped out by the chains. The chains are held 

 up by the supports (e) and brush against the axles of the 

 skips, thus lubricating the bearings. Any excess of oil drops 

 into a trough on the upside of the incline, and flows back into 

 the oil well. 



The drum at the top of the incline is 5ft. Gin. in diameter, 

 with 6in. flanges, and the rope is wound round it 3J times. 

 The brake path is 7ft. in diameter. About 40 h.p. is developed 

 that has to be absorbed by the brakes. The brake-blocks are 



Fig. 130 Greaser for Skip Axles. 



made from local "leather jacket" wood, which is not so hard 

 as to get polished, nor so soft as to w T ear out too quickly. 

 When brake blocks are being renewed, small iron clamps are 

 bolted to the rope, and fastened to a wooden bearer across 

 the" track so as to prevent the rope from shifting. The ten- 

 sion pulley at the bottom of the incline is 5ft. 6in. in dia- 

 meter. The skips when they come out of the mine are sent 

 down to the screens and coal bins on a self-acting incline, for 

 about 33 chains, after which the coal is conveyed on a private 

 line a further distance of a mile to the Government railway. 

 The incline, which is sometimes made ground at others in a 

 cutting (Fig. 131), varies in grade, and at the foot inclines 

 in the opposite direction, but the general grade is 9 degrees. 

 There is a double track, of 2ft. gauge between rails, laid with 

 261b. per yard rails. Cast iron rollers are placed 18ft. to 20ft. 

 apart to support the 3 Jin. circumference Lang's lay endless 

 rope. The rollers are 5in. diameter and 7fin. long, running 

 in wooden bearings (Fig. 132). A frame two feet long is 

 made to keep the dirt back. About every 25ft. or so, a water 

 table is made to allow the surface water to drain oi on one 

 side, the sleepers above and below the water table being 

 N 



