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



A crotch line is recommended for portable mill loggers because it 

 is much safer for inexperienced loaders, although slower than a 

 single line. After a little practice in the use of cant hooks, however, 

 a green man will soon learn to " cut " a log which is inclined to go 

 endwise on the slcids (cannon). In such cases the loader should step 

 in front of the lower end of the log and catch it smartly with his 

 hook, at the same time pulling so that the end will slide forward 

 on the skids. If he happens to be on the side which is moving too 

 fast, he should catch the log smartly from behind and by a sudden 

 pull hold that end while the other or slower end slides forward'. 

 This operation requires quickness and dexterity in the use of the 

 hook. A green hand is likely to catch- his hook too deep in the 

 timber, with the result that he gets a severe jolt and his cant-hook 

 stock is broken. 



A loader should never stand behind a log going up in the chain. 

 When a log is safely on the load he should have the next log rolled 

 down to the skids, help to pull back the chain far enough to encircle 

 the log and to reach the load, and hand the swamp hook to the 

 loader, who makes it fast to a log already on the load, usually the 

 log in front of the one beside which he intends the log in the chain 

 to lie. The top loader grabs the log with his cant hook, after fasten- 

 ing his swamp hook in the log to prevent it rolling over when the 

 team pulls on the chain, yells to the teamster to go ahead, and keeps 

 clear of the log as it rolls into its place. A good top loader figures 

 ahead on where he intends to place his logs in order that the load 

 will balance. If one side of a sled load of logs is heavier than the 

 other, the load usually becomes " bunk bound " and will not steer 

 properly, and naturally, if a truck is not loaded properly, it will 

 tip over. 



Corner binds and binding chains should be used in hauling logs 

 on a truck or sled. Binding or spring poles are not reliable, besides 

 being dangerous if they happen to slip. Good stout block brakes 

 are a requisite on steep hills. These should be secure enough to en- 

 able a logger to stop " dead " on the steepest hill — rough locking the 

 hind wheels with stout chains if necessary. The neck yoke, breast 

 straps, and hame straps should be carefully looked over every day 

 and kept in proper shape. 



The cross haul for the team should be brushed out and the ground 

 leveled off so that the team can haul to good advantage and turn 

 around easily. Sometimes when a block is used on the gin pole the 

 loading team pulls parallel to the load and along the road. If this 

 can be done, the ci-osshaul can be dispensed with. 



When a load is taken Ojff the front of a skid way the remaining 

 logs should be rolIcMl doAAii t(j the front, in order to make room for 

 more logs on the end. It does not pa}^ to deck (pile up) logs in a 



