182 FARM MECHANICS 



and a grab hook on the other end completes the yoking 

 outfit. 



The round hook of the chain is hitched into the ring 

 in the plow clevis. The chain is passed through the 

 large iron ring in the oxbow and is doubled back to get 

 the right length. The grab hook is so constructed that 

 it fits over one link of the chain flatwise so that the next 

 link standing crosswise prevents it from slipping. 



The mechanism of a logging chain is extremely sim- 

 ple, positive in action and especially well adapted to 

 the use for which it is intended. The best mechanical 

 inventions often pass without notice because of their 

 simplicity. Farmers have used logging chains for gen- 

 erations with hooks made on this plan without realiz- 

 ing that they were profiting by a high grade invention 

 that embodies superior merit. 



In yoking oxen to a wagon the hitch is equally sim- 

 ple. The end of the wagon tongue is placed in the ring 

 in the ox yoke, the round hook engages with a draw- 

 bolt under the hammer strap bar. The small grab hook 

 is passed through the large yoke ring and is brought 

 back and engaged with a chain link at the proper dis- 

 tance to stretch the chain taut. 



The process of yoking oxen and hitching them to a 

 wagon is one of the most interesting performances on 

 a farm. The off ox works on the off side, or far side 

 from the driver. He usually is the larger of the two 

 and the more intelligent. The near (pronounced 

 n-i-g-h) ox is nearest to the driver who walks to the left. 

 Old plows turned the furrow to the right so the driver 

 could walk on hard ground. In this way the awkward- 

 ness and ignorance of the near ox is played against the 

 docility and superior intelligence of the off ox. In 

 yoking the two together the yoke is first placed on the 



