50 BULLETIN 718, TJ. 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 skids (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 crosshaul can be dispensed with. 
"When a load is taken Oiff the front of a skidway the remaining 
logs should be rolled down to the front, in order to ma'ke room for 
more logs on the end. It does not pay to deck, (pile up) logs in a 
