The Road Drag and How It Is Used Page: 4
This pamphlet is part of the collection entitled: USDA Farmers' Bulletins and was provided to UNT Digital Library by the UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
FARMERS' BULLETIN 597.
in figure 1. The better of the two pieces should form the front
runner of the drag, because it is the one subjected to the greater
wear. Moreover, while the front runner should always be placed
with the face forward, it is claimed by many that better results may
be obtained by having the round part of the back runner go forward
in order to increase the smearing action of the drag. The two run-
ners are usually spaced from about 30 inches to 36 inches apart, and
are connected in ladder fashion by means of cross stakes or rungs.
The ends of the rungs are ordinarily fitted into 2-inch auger holes,
bored in the runners, and are securely held in place by means of end
wedges. The auger holes are so arranged that the runners, when
framed together, will be displaced in a longitudinal direction with
respect to each other. The object of this displacement, or offset as
it is usually termed, is to make the ends of the front and back run-
ners follow approximately the same line on the road while the drag
is in operation. The amount of displacement, therefore, should de-
pend on the amount of skew necessary to make the drag empty
itself. But since this skew varies with the condition of the road
surface, the proper offset to be given to runners can not be definitely
fixed. Under ordinary conditions an offset of from about 12 inches
to about 16 inches will prove satisfactory.
In order to make it easy for a man to stand upon the d(rag and to
shift his weight properly when dragging over a hard surface, the drag
should be provided with two 1-inch boards parallel to the runners
and nailed down to the rungs. These boards should be about 8 inches
wide and their length should be slightly less than that of the runners
of the drag.
The chain by means of which the drag is drawn should be about
8 feet long and its links should be made of three-eighths-inch steel.
On light drags two trace chains may be used for this purpose. The
hitching link, which is designed so that its position on the chain may
be readily changed, should be made of one-half-inch steel. If de-
sired, an ordinary clevis may be substituted for the hitching link
shown in the designs. It is also well to use a few half-inch links at
each end of the chain, because the wear is greater at these points.
It is customary to fasten the chain to the drag by running one end
through a hole near the discharge end of the front runner and by
looping the other end over the rung at the cutting end of the front
runner. This is a very simple way of connecting the chain, but it
has the disadvantage that it tends to rack the drag to pieces, and the
method of connection shown in figure 1 is therefore to be preferred.
Many road drags constructed as above described, without metal
cutting edges or other modifications, have been very satisfactorily
used where the conditions were favorable. It is evident, however,
that such drags are effective only on comparatively soft road surfaces,4
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This pamphlet can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Pamphlet.
United States. Office of Public Roads. The Road Drag and How It Is Used, pamphlet, 1914; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc85808/m1/4/: accessed April 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.