Draft of Wagons. 439 



the center of the load to one side still further and to a 

 very serious degree if the load is high, as is the case in 

 hauling hay or cord-wood. 



540. Heaviest Load on the Hind Wheels. In loading the 

 ordinary wagon the heaviest load should be placed on the 

 hind wheels for three important reasons: First, because 

 they are larger and will not depress the road-bed so much 

 and will draw easier if they do; second, when the wheels 

 track, the front wheels make a road, by firming the ground, 

 over which the balance of the load may be more easily 

 drawn; third, when the axle of the front wheel is free to 

 be turned, as in the common wagon, the slight inequalities 

 of the road-bed tend all the time to keep the tongue vibrat- 

 ing, so that there is a strong tendency, by this to and fro 

 swinging, to cause the front wheels to cut more deeply into 

 the ground and thus increase the draft. On a very rigid 

 road-bed this matter is not as important as in doing field 

 work, but the differences are large enough on earth roads 

 so that they should never be overlooked. 



In the following table some observed differences are re- 

 corded : 



These statements may appear to contradict the common 

 practice of hauling logs butt end forward and the general 

 tendency of placing the heaviest portion of the load for- 

 ward. The conditions, however, are quite different from 

 those where there is a real advantage in placing the heav- 

 iest load forward. The reason for this will be better un- 

 derstood from the considerations of the next paragraph. 



