IMPROVEMENT OF THE CITY OF COLON, PANAMA Fourth Street before paving. For view of same street after paving, see page 331.
wagons in. the same time, and that the cost of this hal,dling is from 11 to 21 cents per cubic yard.
Points to be Considered in Selecting a Road Machine. In the selection of a road machine the following points should he care fully considered: (1) • Thoroughness and simplicity of its mechanical construction.
(2) Material and workmanship used in its construction.
(3) Ease of operation.
(4) Lightness of draft.
(5) Adaptability for doing general road-work, ditching, etc.
(6) Safety to the operator.
Care of Road Machines. The road machine when not in use should be stored in a dry house and thoroughly cleaned, its blade brushed clean from all accumulations of mud, wiped thoroughly dry, and well covered with grease or crude oil. The axles, journals, and wearing parts should be kept well oiled when in use, and an extra blade should be kept on hand to the machine while the dulled one is being sharpened.
Surface Graders. The surface grader, Fig. 42, is used for re moving earth previously loosened by a plough. It is operated by one horse. The load may be retained and carried a considerable distance, or it may be spread gradually as the operator desires. It is also employed to level off and trim the surface after scrapers.
The blade is of steel, 1-inch thick, 15 inches wide, and 30 inches long. The beam and other parts are of oak and iron. Weight about 60 lb.
The road leveller, Fig. 43, is used for trimming and smoothing the surface of earth roads. It is largely employed in the Spring when the frost leaves the ground.
The blade is of steel, finch thick by 4 inches by 72 inches, and is provided with a seat for the driver. It is operated by a team of horses. Weight about 150 lb.
Draining-tools. The tools employed for digging the ditches and shaping the bottom to fit the drain tiles are shown in Fig. 44. They are convenient to use, and expedite the work by avoiding unnecessary excavation.
• The tools are used as follows: Nos. 3, 4 and 5 are used for digging the ditches; Nos. 6 and 7 for cleaning and rounding the bottom of the ditch for round tile. No. 2 is used for shoveling out loose earth and levelling the bottom of the ditch; No. 1 is used for the same purpose when the ditch is intended for "sole " tile.
Horse Rollers. There is a variety of horse rollers on the market. Fig. 45 shows the general form. Each consists essentially of a hollow cast-iron cylinder 4 to 5 feet long, 5 to 6 feet in diameter, and weighing from 3 to 6 tons. Some forms are provided with boxes in which • stone or iron may be placed to increase the weight, and some have closed ends and may be filled with water or sand.
Fig. 46 shows a convenient form of sprink ling cart for suburban streets and country roads.. Capacity about 150 gallons.