132 DISTRIBUTION OF WEIGHT CH. IX 



small weight on its end, it could balance the weight 

 on the hind wheels so as to lift them off the 

 ground, and thus concentrate the whole weight 

 on the front wheels without adding very much to 

 the total weight. The influence of a pole weighing, 

 with its bars, 60 pounds, is shown in the following 

 Table. The weights, as shown on the scale, were 

 as follows : — 



On front wheels, without the pole 

 with 



Increased weight on front wheels 



On hind wheels, without the pole 

 with 



Decreased weight on hind wheels 



The increased weight on the front wheels is due, 

 one-half to the weight of the pole and one-half to 

 the 67 pounds taken off the hind wheels, but the 

 total weight, 2531, is only 65 pounds more than the 

 weight of the coach without the pole. 



The weights are given as they came out in the 

 experiment ; theoretically, they should balance ex- 

 actly, but inaccuracies in the scales cause the small 

 discrepancy. 



The distribution of the weight on the front wheels 

 and hind wheels depends also upon the inclination 

 of the road. 



The following Table gives the results of an ex- 

 periment with a coach weighing 2200 pounds : — 



