48 SCIENCE OF SUCCESSFUL THRESHING. 



to throw off the main belt ; if traveling, a sudden start throws 

 unnecessary strain on the gearing and the connections be- 

 tween the engine and its load. . When the engine has been 

 running a sufficient time to allow any water that may be in 

 the cylinder to escape, cylinder-cocks may be closed. When 

 the engine is at work leave the throttle wide open, allowing 

 the governor to control the speed. 



An engine provided with a friction clutch is much easier 

 handled when traveling than one without, but the clutch is 

 seldom used by a good engineer. If used continually it re- 

 quires attention to keep it adjusted. 



Steering. An engine cannot be properly guided unless 

 the steering-chains are correctly adjusted. If too tight they 

 cause the steering-wheel to turn hard, while if too loose, 

 the guiding is much more difficult and the control uncertain. 

 The chains are properly adjusted when one turn of the steer- 

 ing-wheel takes up the slack. Double nuts are used on the 

 eye bolts connecting the chains to front axle and these should 

 be jammed together so that there is no liability of their com- 

 ing off. A weak steering-chain is dangerous and if one has 

 been broken by running into something, or from any other 

 cause, it should not be allowed to go indefinitely, temporarily 

 repaired with a bolt or piece of wire, but should be fixed so 

 that it is as strong as ever. 



In guiding an engine many make the mistake of turning 

 the steering-wheel too much. It is well to remember that 

 a turn in one direction always means a turn in the opposite 



