232 BULLETIN 711, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGEICULTURE. 



putting up the binder chains. If the trucks were equipped with 

 patent stakes, the time consumed in unloading would be considerably 

 less. 



The cost of dumps like that described above varies with different 

 locations and different soil formations. Under ordinary condi- 

 tions, the cost, not including the approaches, should range from 

 $2,000 to $2,500. The maintenance of one of these dumps for 7 years 

 cost about $300 per year. During this time the dump was practi- 

 cally rebuilt through maintenance. 



GIN POLE. 



A number of operators unload logs under conditions that render 

 ■a gin pole and parbuckle line a practical method. The gin pole, 

 which is about 35 feet in height, is erected along the track on the 

 land side, with .the ^-inch parbuckle line leading through a sheave 

 block at the top of the pole. In unloading, one end of the line is 

 passed under the load to the opposite side of the car and fastened 

 to the brow skid. When the line is tightened by power applied at the 

 other end, the load is raised from the car bunks and pushed from 

 the car. With this method a mast, or pole, to which a cross arm is 

 braced about 20 feet from the track, is used in most cases instead of 

 a gin pole, the parbuckle line leading through a sheave block at each 

 end of the cross arm. The cross arm extends over the track about 

 8 feet. 



The logs are dumped at one point, which, as has been suggested, 

 is not practical under all conditions. Some operators eliminate this 

 objectionable feature by using a number of gin poles erected car. 

 lengths apart along the dump. 



The power as a rule is furnished by the locomotive, the hand work 

 being done by the train crew. When a number of gin poles are used, 

 the locomotive is the only practical source of power. In some cases, 

 where it is desirable to unload as quickly as possible, the power is 

 supplied by an ordinary logging engine, generally an old one, necessi- 

 tating the employment of an unloading engineer in addition to the 

 regular train crew. If the logs are unloaded in a pond near the 

 mill, the power may be furnished by a hoist, the steam being fur- 

 nished by the mill. In one case a 6^ by 10-inch single-drum hoist is 

 used, the machine being operated by the locomotive fireman. The 

 engineer spots the cars and the brakemen adjust the parbuckle line. 

 When the dump is located near a power plant, an electrically driven 

 lioist may furnish the power. In one case, a 30-horsepower West- 

 inghouse motor, connected with the drum shaft by a double-reduction 

 gear, is used. The two drums are operated on this shaft by ordinary 

 logging-engine frictions. One drum carries the parbuckle line; the 



