246 FARM MACHINERY 



a plate on the under side of the sandboard and on top 

 of the front axle, also see that there is a metal sleeve for 

 the reach to pass through between the rear axle and bol- 

 ster. 



349. Tongue, neckyoke and whiffletrees are all essen- 

 tial, but not so important in their construction. They 

 should all be made of the best selected oak except the 

 doubletrees, which should be of hickory. Wherever 

 there is any wear there should be metal plates or collars. 

 It is well that the tongue be reenforced by an iron strip 

 beneath and that the pole cap have an extra kink in front 

 of the neckyoke lock to prevent the neckyoke from slip- 

 ping off. 



350. Other parts. The same may be said of sand- 

 boards and bolsters as of axles. Between sandboard and 

 bolster there should be a cup and cone plate with flanges 

 which extend over the sides to prevent splitting. On top 

 of each bolster there should be a plate of metal. The 

 king bolt should have a large, flat head to prevent cut- 

 ting into the bolster. 



It does not matter so much as to the length and shape 

 of the hounds, as it does to their bracing and fastening to 

 the axles. Therefore see that they are well braced and 

 so securely fastened that they will not work loose and 

 soon wear at that point. 



351. Wide and narrow track. Two widths of tracks 

 are in general use in the United States. The narrow 

 track measures 4 feet 6 inches center to center of tires on 

 the ground. The wide track is 5 feet measured in the 

 same way. Although the use of each track is confined to 

 certain sections, it results in much inconvenience at the 

 borders of the districts where both styles are used. 

 It is necessary to specify the width of track when pur- 

 chasing a vehicle of any sort. 



