RAILROAD CONSTRUCTION 
301 
Drag Scrapers. — A drag scraper is a steel scoop used for 
moving earth for short distances. It is the preferable form for 
stony ground and for soils filled with roots. It is drawn by two 
horses. 
The No. 2 scraper, weighing about 100 pounds, is the one 
commonly used. Its actual capacity, "place measure," is ^V of 
a cubic yard of tough clay; | cubic yard of gravel; or I cubic 
yard of loam. 
Drag scrapers work in units of three on short hauls, the teams 
traveling about 50 feet apart in an ellipse. They are loaded 
by an extra man as they pass the pit and are dumped by the 
teamsters. On a 50-foot haul the average ten-hour output for 
a drag scraper is 62 cubic yards of earth and gravel, and 40 cubic 
yards of stiff clay. Earth for scraper work is loosened with a 
plow or by dynamite. 
Wheeled Scrapers. — The wheeled scraper has a steel scoop 
hung low between two wheels The following sizes are in 
common use: 
Number 1 wheelers are used for short hauls and steep rises 
and should replace drag scrapers under these conditions except 
where the soil is rocky or full of roots. Snatch teams are re- 
quired for loading No. 2 and larger scrapers, and even then it is 
impossible to fill the bowl in tough clay. Shovels must be used 
for this purpose. 
Weight 
Actual capacity,! 
" place measure." 
No. 1 
Pounds 
340 to 450 
475 to 500 
575 
625 to 800 
Cubic yards 
1 
5 
1 
4 
1 
3 
No. 2 
No. 2^ 
No. 3 
1 When the bowl is level full of earth. 
When wages are 15 cents and horse hire 10 cents per hour tne 
cost per cubic yard and the amount of earth moved daily with a 
No. 1 scraper is approximately as follows:^ 
1 The rigure.s on the amount of work performed and costs are based on data 
contained in "Earthwork and its Cost," by H. P. Gillette. 
