LUMBERING IN PINE REGION OF CALIFORNIA. 8 7 
Some firms prefer wider chutes called " three pole chutes." Two 
poles are placed much the same as above, but a third pole is embedded 
in the ground between them. The average diameter of the outside 
pole is from 14 to 18 inches, and the average diameter of the bottom 
pole about 8 inches. The width at the top of the hewing is 30 inches; 
the width at the bottom is 18 inches; and the depth is 8 inches. The 
scale is about 10,000 feet per mile greater than that for the two-pole 
type. 
Donkey chutes may be constructed on nearly any necessary grade, 
with the exception that long minus grades of 28 per cent or over are 
apt to lead to trouble, through the logs running and jumping the chute. 
The usual grade of downhill chutes varies from 3 or 4 per cent to 20 
or 25 per cent. Adverse grades may occur in such chutes up to 10 
or 15 per cent. Usually an extra donkey is required at the top of 
any long or very steep adverse grade. The severest uphill chute 
noted is one rising 800 feet in 3,900 feet of length (an average of 21 
per cent), with 1,200 feet having an average grade of over 40 per 
cent. The steepest stretch is 500 feet with an average grade of 54 
per cent, within which is a 200-foot pitch of 60 per cent. 
The best results are secured from chutes constructed on tangents, 
but curves may be used where it is necessary to change the general 
direction of the chute. Short curves or reverse curves are out of 
the question and usually not more than two or three curves are prac- 
ticable, even in the longest chutes. A change of 90° in the direction 
of a chute may be made by means of two long and gradual curves. 
Typical chute construction crews vary from a foreman and 17 men 
to a foreman and 22 men. Each commonly has a Dolbeer donkey 
engine and two horses. The total monthly cost of the former crew 
is $1,285, and of the latter, $1,600. The latter crew is typical of an 
extensive chute logging operation and is made up as follows : 
1 foreman $90 and board. 
1 engineer 50 and board. 
1 fireman 45 and board. 
1 woodbuck 40 and board. 
1 waterbuck 40 and board. 
2 swampers 50 and board. 
1 lookout 50 and board. 
1 line horse driver $40 and board. 
5 axmen 50 and board. 
3 shovelmen 40 and board. 
1 grading boss 75 and board. 
5 muckers 40 and board. 
1 line horse. 
1 water horse. 
The cost per mile of construction depends upon the configuration 
of the ground and the accessibility of suitable chute timber. Except 
for short spurs, the cost varies from about 20 cents per linear foot 
under favorable conditions to 40 cents per foot for difficult. Con- 
struction in open stands, with no rocks and with a fair supply of 
chute timber, costs, exclusive of stumpage, about $1,000 per mile, of 
which amount $350 is for clearing and grading. Heavier grading, 
with some rockwork but no trestles, costs about $1,400 per mile. 
