Alfalfa in Kansas. 



321 



Slings. 

 Hay slings are webs made up of rope, or ropes and sticks, which are 



placed under the load of hay in such a way that the projecting ends 

 may be' brought together and all of the hay 

 lying in the sling raised at one time. To re- 

 lease the hay a spring catch is provided in the 

 middle which allows the sling to part when 

 tripped. 



OPERATION. The sling is placed in the rack 

 lengthwise with the ends secured, and hooks to 

 an upright at the ends of the rack, where they 

 are convenient to reach when unloading. A 

 slingload of hay is put on the wagon, which 

 may be as much as 1000 pounds if the equip- 

 ment is strong enough. Then another sling is 

 placed over this, and so on until a full wagon- 

 load is on, which is usually three slings. The 

 rope and the derrick, or the barn equipment, 

 usually has two pulley blocks, which have 

 hooks on them, one of which is hooked in either 

 end of the sling. As the load starts up the two 

 ends of the sling are brought together, making 

 the bulk compact enough to pass through the 

 door in the mow of the barn. When the sling 



is released the hay unfolds and is left lying flat in the mow or in the 



stack. (See "Slings," in index.) 



Carriers and Tracks. 



Special carriers are made for forks or slings or for both. The latter 

 kind is known as a combined carrier. The size varies with the service. 

 The light carriers are used with forks. The heavy double-track car- 

 riers are used with slings. Some may be used in either direction, and 

 are called two-way carriers. If the lower part can be turned about with- 

 out removal the carrier is said to be reversible. 



A large variety of wood and steel tracks are to be found upon the 

 market. The steel tracks are made T-shaped, channel steel placed back 

 to back; cross form of cross section, or two T's placed top to top. Wood 

 tracks are usually made of 4- by 4-in. timber and are often steel plated 

 on the top edges where the carrier wheels run. 



Various forms of switches are used to convey the hay in different di- 

 rections from the point of loading. When the track turns a corner or is 

 curved a system of pulleys must be provided to keep the rope in position. 

 (See "Carriers" and "Tracks." in index.) 



Bro.] 



