12 BULLETIN 718, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



gardless of type or make, however, a mill will turn out to be a lia- 

 bility rather than an asset unless it is set up properly and kept in 

 good running order, and the work conducted on a business basis. 



The word " portable " as defined in the dictionary means " capable 

 of being borne or carried, easily transported, conveyed without 

 difficulty." The average portable mill owner, however, seems to take 

 this definition too literall}'', for when he purchases a new mill, or 

 moves to a new site, he pays as little attention to setting it up or 

 lining the machiner}^ properly as he would in the case of a thrashing 

 engine or a steam plow. The usual procedure is to clear off a level 

 space of ground, set down the engine and boiler and block them uj) 

 a little, adjust the belting, get up steam, and start the saw. The 

 moving and setting up is not taken seriously. Eegardless of the 

 length of time a portable mill is to remain on the same site, the 

 engine bed should be solid, the belting properly adjusted, the engine, 

 sawmill, and carriage properly lined up and housed and all w^orking 

 parts oiled and the shafting in line and all parts in good working 

 order. Otherwise it is impossible to manufacture good lumber. 



In general, the life of a portable mill may be placed at from 12 

 to 15 years. One hundred and fift}^ days is the maximum time it is 

 in active operation each year, so that, if not properly cared for, a 

 portable mill may be said to " rust out " faster than it wears out. 



REGULAR EQUIPMENT. 



CLASS A. 



FjoUowing are the various parts and equipment of a class A mill 

 complete and their cost in 1916. Since the entrance of the United 

 States into the war, prices have fluctuated to such an extent as to 

 make it impractical to give those likely to be in effect when this 

 bulletin is issued. It has been thought best, therefore, to give 1916 

 prices throughout as a basis for estimates. 



Sawmill (husk and carriage) $254.00 



Sawdust conveyors, .25-foot . 35. 00 



48-iDch chisel-tooth circular saw, 8 gauge 62.00 



60-inch solid-tooth circular saw, 7 gauge 82. 00 



Engine and boiler, 15 horsepower : 776. 00 



Pony edger - 145. 00 



Trimmer 280.00 



Shingle machine , 160. 00 



Lath mill and bolter 200.00 



Shingle buncher and packer 10. 00 



Axes, cant hooks, shovel.s, wheelbarrows, etc 20. 00 



Chisel tool files, dozen 5. 00 



Total 2, 029. 00 



Discount 20 per cent 405.80 



• 1, 623. 20 



