92 SCIENCE OF SUCCESSFUL, THRESHING 



allows of "hooking up," that is, placing the lever in notches 

 between the end and center of the quadrant. In these 

 positions, the valve travel is reduced and the points of 

 "cut-off" made earlier, which, of course, lessens the amount 

 of steam required. It is, therefore, economy to run the 

 engine "hooked up" whenever its load will allow. Pro- 

 vision is made for taking up lost motion in the parts sub- 

 jected to wear. All the joints should be kept well oiled, 

 but the only parts which require frequent attention in this 

 respect, are the eccentric and the sliding block. When the 

 valve is sufficiently lubricated, and the valve-gear is prop- 

 erly oiled and adjusted, the reverse lever is easily handled, 

 when under a full head of steam. 



Caution Against Disturbing the Valve Setting. It so 

 often happens that an expert, when called to an engine, 

 finds that the valve has been re-set after the engine left 

 the factory, that it seems best, at this point, to say a few 

 words of caution against disturbing the valve of a new 

 engine. Let us advise you not to jump to the conclusion 

 that your valve is incorrectly constructed or improperly 

 set. Remember that the engine has been designed and built 

 by experienced men, thoroughly competent to make it all 

 that it should be. Remember, too, that the engine has been 

 tested at the factory, in the belt and on the road with heavy 

 loads, within sight and hearing of a dozen men, whose long 

 experience has made them so critical that they could not 

 fail to detect anything wrong in the engine's performance. 



