208 BULLETIN 711, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



In most cases where the logs are not hauled over common-carrier 

 railroads, disconnected trucks are used. There are a number of makes 

 and sizes on the market. One truck, which is used as much as any, 

 cost about $750 per set f. o. b, Seattle in 1913. This price includes 

 patent bunks and chocks, also automatic couplers. Each truck is 

 equipped with chains for binding on the logs. These chains cost 

 about $20 extra per set of trucks. 



The number of cars required varies considerably. Where the out- 

 put amounts to from 175,000 to 200,000 feet per day, the number 

 ranges from 25 to 60 or more. The number required for a given 

 operation depends on the following : 



(1) The amount of timber handled daily. (2) The volume of the 

 average load, which runs from 6,000 to 8,000 feet. (3) The average 

 number of cars hauled per trip. (4) The method of loading. If it is 

 possible to store logs on the landing without interfering with the 

 operation of transporting the logs from the stump to the landing, a 

 smaller number of cars may be employed than where the logs have to 

 be loaded practically at the time they are delivered at the landing. 

 (5) Method of unloading. The longer it takes to unload the logs, 

 the greater the number of cars required. (6) The distance that the 

 logs have to be hauled, also the number of divisions the road is 

 divided into. 



For the purpose of a timber appraisal,^ the maintenance cost of flat 

 cars may be placed at about 10 per cent of the purchase price ; skele- 

 ton and disconnected trucks, at about 6 to 8 per cent of the purchase 

 price. The life of flats and trucks may be figured at from 10 to 12 

 years. If they are kept in proper repair, their life will be much 

 longer than this. 



OPERATION. 



Under this heading will be discussed the cost of transporting logs 

 from the landings to the dump. The elements of cost are the same 

 as for yarding, loading, etc. 



A general idea of the operation of logging railroads has been given. 

 The labor required, as well as the amount of equipment, depends upon 

 the daily output, length of haul, grades, etc. In some operations one 

 locomotive is sufficient. This engine hauls the empties out to the 

 woods, switches them to the landings, picks up the loaded cars, and 

 hauls them to the dump. Larger operations with longer main lines 

 require a locomotive in the woods distributing the empties and 

 switching out the loaded cars to a point where they can be picked up 

 by the main-line locomotive. Still larger operations require four or 

 five locomotives. If the output is large and the haul long, two of 

 them may work on the main line. 



The number of locomotives and train crews employed should be 

 ample to keep plenty of empties available at the landings, since 



