HANDLING THE ENGINE. 51 



Gravel Hills. In going up steep gravel hills there is 

 danger of breaking through the surface crust, thereby letting 

 the traction wheels into the soft gravel, which they will push 

 out from under them, simply digging holes instead of pro- 

 pelling the engine. When this occurs, stop at once, before 

 the engine buries itself. Block the wheels of the separator, 

 or other load behind the engine and uncouple and it will move 

 out all right. If it does not, put cordwood sticks in front 

 of the traction wheels so that the grouters will catch. An- 

 other method is to hitch a team and start the team and 

 engine together. 



Mud Holes. The statements regarding gravel hills apply 

 in general to soft mud holes. Stop the engine when the 

 wheels slip, and put straw, brush, stones, sticks or anything 

 else that may be handy in front of the wheels so that the 

 grouters can take hold of something. When the engine is 

 on a "greasy" road where the wheels slip without digging 

 much, get a couple of men to help roll the front wheels and 

 you will be surprised how much good this does. 



With one traction wheel in a greasy mud hole or old 

 stack bottom, and the other on solid ground, the differential 

 gear may be locked, but unless you understand the conse- 

 quences of doing this, as elsewhere explained in this book, 

 it will be better to get out some other way. 



The Use of a Cable. It is a good plan to carry a steel 

 cable or heavy rope with the outfit. Then when the engine 

 stalls, it can be uncoupled and run onto solid ground where 



