454 FARM MOTORS 



the stop is being made. Every engineer knows the dan- 

 ger of having the front end of a fire box boiler the lowest. 

 If the engine is inclined to run too fast in going down 

 a hill the reverse should be thrown. If then it still travels 

 too fast, while the engine is still in the reverse, open the 

 throttle and let in a little steam. 



594. Guiding an engine. Traction engines are guided 

 by means of the hand wheel, which operates through a 

 worm gear. This in turn acts upon chains which are 

 attached to the ends of the front axle. Turning the hand 

 wheel to the right will turn the engine in that direction, 

 while in turning the hand wheel to the left the engine will 

 turn to the left. Do not turn the steering wheels too 

 often or too far. Watch the front axle and act accord- 

 ingly. It is much easier to steer an engine when moving 

 than when standing. If possible always move the engine 

 a trifle when steering. The steering chains should be 

 moderately tight; if they are too tight they will cause 

 undue friction, while if they are too loose the engine 

 cannot be guided steadily. 



595. Mud holes. The best way to get out of a mud 

 hole is not to get into it. An engineer should go out of 

 his way a considerable distance rather than to take his 

 engine into a mud hole. When an engine is once in a 

 mud hole and the drive wheels commence to slip without 

 propelling, the engine should be shut down at once. 

 When the drive wheels are run in the mud without 

 moving the engine they soon dig up a hole out of which 

 it is very hard to raise the engine. When drive wheels 

 commence to slip, straw, boards, rails, posts, or anything 

 at hand should be put under them so they may get a 

 grip. In getting out of a mud hole do not start the en- 

 gine quickly, but very slowly. If the wheels will stick at 

 all they will gradually move the engine by starting it 



