WAGONS, BUGGIES, AND SLEDS 257 



in communities where sleds are used only at intermittent 

 times of the year and then only as a substitute for a 

 wagon with light loads, they are very much more cheaply 

 built. 



Where the runners of a sled are bent they should be 

 of either ash or hickory. If the natural curve of a tree 

 is used, good hard wood will do. If the curve is sawed, 

 white oak is better. All other parts should be of oak. 



The knees should be fastened by means of two bolts 

 on each end. This will prevent splitting. All connec- 

 tions are better if made flexible, and it is more convenient 

 to have the front bob connected so it can turn under the 

 load. The shoes are more economical when made of 

 cast iron and removable. In communities where there 

 is no continued season of snow a cheaper type of sled is 

 sufficient. In such cases the shoes can be made of 

 wrought iron, the bobs connected directly by a short 

 reach and eyes, and the flexible parts dispensed with. 



366. Capacity. A bob sled with two knees in each 

 bob ought to have a capacity of about 4,000 pounds, and 

 one with three knees, of 6,000 pounds. 



There is practically no limit to the load a team can 

 handle on a sled provided they can start it. In most 

 cases it is better to carry a bar to assist in starting the 

 load and thus avoid the troublesome lead team. 



In hilly countries it is essential to have some method 

 for holding the load back in descending and to keep it 

 standing while the team breathes upon ascending a hill. 

 A short chain attached to the runner and dropped be- 

 neath it will hold the load back when descending a hill. 

 In some localities a curved spike extending to the rear is 

 bolted to the sled in such a manner as to prevent the 

 sled from sliding backward when pressed to the snow by 

 the teamster. 



