Half a century of rope making, 1857-1907
A. LESGHEN i^ Soms ROPE COMPANY 0( / / ,/~-\ \^' / o< / / ■,.!'. ^ ^ \V' / / ►:.rt^- /■ / „-,tJ^'**^.S?, /r^- PgPiPfjff^SgPglW ,-.,.; 1 •:aii\K ^-* \ TOT in F A ©MMTILJIESf )J^W(B A. Leschen & Sons Rope Company 0 ff ice and Warehouse 920 TO 932 NORTH FIRST STREET, ST. LOUIS, MO. Branch Stores 87 to 89 West Street 137 East Lake Street New York, N. Y. Chicago, III. 1717 to 1723 Arapahoe Street Denver, Col. 313 Pacific Block Seattle, Wash BEING A BRIEF HISTORY OP THE HOUSE OF A. LESCHEN & SONS ROPE COMPANY, FROM ITS FOUNDING IN 1857 TO THE PRESENT TIME, TO WHICH IS ALSO APPENDED A CATA- LOGUE WITH ILLUSTRATIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS OF ITS VARIOUS PRODUCTS • « JUBRARY Of CONGRESS Two Copl«s Receiver JAN 4 1908 r.LASSA XXC: Wu, Copyright 1907 by A. Leschen & Sons Rope Company St. Lowis, Mo. A. LESCHEN & SONS ROPE COMPANY 'IFTY years ago, in St. Louis, Adolph Leschen began in a small way to manufacture hemp or fiber rope. To-day the great manufacturing plant of the A. Leschen & Sons Rope Company, at St. Louis, covers thirty-three acres. The four branch houses and twenty-eight agencies handle the product of the works, and Leschen Wire Rope cobwebs the world. It is perhaps not out of place to refer briefly herein to these fifty years of progress and success, and to the policy which has distinguished our methods of manufacture. In the early days, as now, the Leschen policy was "quality first," and the en- deavor has not been to turn out a product larger than that of any other manufacturer, but to make wire rope of a quality which may always be relied upon. Few changes have taken place in the half century, either in administration or in ideals. The firm name as it appeared fifty years ago was not changed until 1872. when Mr. Henry Leschen, now president of the corporation, became a partner with his father under the firm name of A. Leschen Sz Son. Five years later, upon the entrance of John A. Leschen, now vice-president, the name was changed to A. Leschen & Sons. Such was the growth of the business, that in 1886 it was deemed wise to incorporate it under the present title of A. Leschen & Sons Rope Company. In 1898 ^Ir. Charles H. Tucker became secretary- and treasurer. The Leschen Works are located on the Terminal Railway Belt Line which con- nects with all the trunk lines of the United States. The St. Louis warehouses are on North First Street, and contain a large and varied stock of such types of wire rope as are in constant demand. To effectively handle the business of the Atlantic and Eastern States, the New York store was established at 163 and 165 Washington Street, and is now in the West Street Building, Nos. 87, 88 and 89 West Street. This, in addition to being one of the distributing points of enormous quantities of Hercules and Patent Flattened Strand Rope, is also the headquarters of the fast growing export trade. Through the Chicago branch, at 137 East Lake Street, rope is supplied for the iron, lumber, coal and stone industries of the middle North. The great mining interests of the West are served through the Denver branch, at 17 17-1723 Arapahoe Street, where such rope is carried as is required principally in mining opera- tions and for aerial tramways. The Seattle branch handles the important logging and lumber interests of the great Northwest. In addition to these branches, separate A. LESGHEN & SONS ROPE COMPANY agencies of the A. Leschen & Sons Rope Company are located at Boston, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Pittsburg-, Baltimore, Charleston, S. C," Savannah, Jacksonville, Birm- ingham, New Orleans, Galveston, Memphis, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Nashville, Cin- cinnati, Columbus, Indianapolis, Portland, St. Paul, Kansas City, Duluth, Salt Lake City, Butte, Mont., Spokane, San Francisco, Los Angeles. It would be dithcult to overestimate the extent to which wire rope is used to-day throughout the world. Leschen rope will be found in use not only throughout the United States and Canada, but in all of the South American republics, Mexico, Cuba, the Philippines, South Africa, Japan, Turkey, Egypt, India and Russia. It is also in use in the important work at the Isthmus of Panama. Either through the home office, or through any one of the four branches or twenty- eight agencies, customers may obtain rope made especially to meet their requirements, and because of the care and honesty of purpose maintained in its manufacture, it will be found absolutely reliable. The wire of which Leschen rope is made is of the best foreign grade obtainable. It is specially drawn, tempered in oil to absolute perfection, tough and strong; it will not become brittle, and is tested to insure reliability and uniformity. It is a recognized fact that lives depend upon the tensile strength of a single rope ; it is for this reason that we are constantly endeavoring to live up to our well known policy of "quality first." With a view of constantly improving our product, we endeavor to keep in touch with users of our rope, for although their opinion usually embodies itself in approval, we obtain from them many valuable suggestions as to practical methods. We wish to express our appreciation both of their commendation and their suggestions. It is part of our business to study the needs of wire rope users in general and to produce rope not only as nearly perfect as possible, but in the various types which meet the varying conditions with which we are constantly confronted. Success along these lines can only be brought about by a total disregard of that personal gain which sacrifices reliability. It is understood by everybody employed by us that quality, not quantity, is paramount first and always; no encouragement is given to increase of the output, for when volume is the chief consideration quality is apt to be sacrificed. It is because of all these facts that we have been able to maintain the reputation which we have enjoyed during the past half century, and which alone is sufficient to account for the widespread and constant growth of our business. A. LESGHEN & SONS ROPE COMPANY A Few Words on Wire Rope IT is almost impossible to enumerate the different uses to which wire rope is adapted, new uses being continually found for it. In most cases it is more economical and more suitable for the work than either hemp rope, chain or iron rods. In the use of wire rope the most satisfactory results are always obtained with large size sheaves and drums; the greater the diameter of the sheaves and drums the longer the rope will last. Experience has demonstrated that wear increases with speed; therefore true economy results from increasing the load and diminishing the speed. For a working load, one-fifth of the ultimate strength of the rope is usually considered safe, although this is not recommended for all cases, as very frec^uently a greater safety factor is required. Wire rope must not be coiled or uncoiled like a hemp rope. When not on a reel, roll on the groimd like a wheel or hoop to prevent kinking or untwisting. For the transmission of power the sheaves should be lined with leather or rubber, or both, which increases adhesion and prevents wear. Safety and Economy To ensure against accidents, the ordinary precautions should be taken to frequently examine wire rope and install a new one before the old is worn to the danger point. No type of rope should be used unsuitable for the work. We advise the use of rope of high grade steel, viz., our Hercules, for the reason that it gives great strength and durability, and in obtaining the strength desired in the rope a smaller diameter rope can be used and thereby the dead weight of the rope itself is reduced. The best results are secured from a rope made of the best obtainable material, as rope made from low grades or cheap material is far more expensive in the end. Every wire which enters into the manufacture of a Leschen rope is carefully tested as to torsions and tensile strength, and all wires not up to the required standard are rejected. These tests are filed for reference. Lubrication A few observations upon the internal and external lubrication of wire rope as a means of reducing the friction of the wires upon each other and preventing corrosion, which has so detrimental an effect upon the nature of various steels. We find that by using graphite, suitably prepared, we have secured a most satisfactory composition, which acts both as a lubricant (by materially reducing the internal friction of the A. LESGHEN & SONS ROPE COMPANY wires on each other) and also as a preventive against corrosion ; and it is so applied to the rope in the course of manufacture that it reaches the inner parts and interstices of the rope and renders the various wires impervious to the deleterious effect of bad water, steam or other damaging matters found in the working of mines, etc. It also insures greater flexibility, which is shown by the following experimental test : An unlubricated rope stood 16,000 right angle bends before fracture commenced, whereas a sample of the same make of rope when lubricated stood 38,000 bends before showing fracture. An excellent preservative for wire rope is a compound of our own production which is the result of considerable experience with wire rope lubricants and pre- servatives. See page 81. How to Order Wire Rope If possible, state your requirements by writing to the nearest branch or agency, or to the home office, in order that recommendation may be made covering the use of a rope best suited to your needs. Years of experience and years of study of varying conditions of service make it possible for us to be of use in this connection. Measurements The diameter of a wire rope is expressed by a diameter of a circle which enclose it. Thus, in using a caliper rule, be careful to avoid measuring across two strands side by side ; measure rather from the top of any one strand to the top of the opposite strand, which will result in the true diameter. This is most important, as otherwise wheels or sheaves which might be ordered at the same time would be found too small to carry the rope, as the diam- eter would be inaccurate throuofh false measurement. will Construction The many purposes for which wire rope must be constructed, each having its peculiar working conditions, demand a considerable number of different lays of strands and twists of wires of a great variety of size, number and material. Wire ropes are usually made with hemp center, the hemp forming a cushion around which are laid the strands, and which is quite essential to pliability, though ropes with wire center have their uses. A. LESGHEN & SONS ROPE COMPANY Our description following is confined to a general explanation of our patent FLATTENED STRAND coustruction, the Rouud vStrand, Lang's Lay, and their differences. Patent Flattened Strand Patent flattened strand wire rope has its name from the shape of the strands of its construction in contradistinction to those of the Round Strand type of rope. For reasons quite simple and very practical it is often operated with economy under con- ditions where no other construction of wire rope can work successfully. Comparative wearing surface between Round and patent flattened strand "Wire Rope. Round Strand Flattened Strand The greatest advantage obtained in the flattened strand wire rope is the wearing or contact surface of each strand, which instead of being one external wire in the periphery is at least six. This means that through the full length of rope the wear comes upon this broader surface composed of several wires. The wear is consequently lessened upon any one individual wire, the tendency to brittleness is minimized, the necessity of the use of heavier wire eliminated, all of which results in extreme flexi- bility, less liability to crushing, frequent in other types of construction, and, owing to the resulting lighter wear, so large a margin between working load and breaking strain need not be considered. The wearing surface is approximately 150 per cent, greater than that of Round Strand rope. These are illustrations of Patent Flattened Strand rope. The first is from a photograph of new rope, the second after long continued use A. LESGHEN & SONS ROPE COMPANY Another quite important feature of this type of rope is that the interstices between the strands being lessened, a greater number of wires are used, resulting in greater strength for the same diameter than that of Round Strand. A peculiarity of patent flattened strand rope is that it is quite free from a tendency to spin or kink, and owing to its remarkably smooth wearing surface, saves wear on pulleys, sheaves and druins. It is made from Hercules quality of steel, Special steel, crucible cast steel and Swedes iron. Price lists and data, pages 50 to 55. Round Strand Leschen's Round Strand Wire Rope is composed, like all other round strand rope, of a given number of wires twisted into strands, the wires running reversely of the lay of the strands, which are then laid around a hemp center. This results in a somewhat corrugated wearing surface due to the interstices between the strands. These strands usually consist of 6, which are in turn composed of 7, 9, 12 or 19 wires each, resulting in a finished rope from 42, 54, 72 or 114 wires. Rope of 6 strands with 19 wires in each strand is the type commonly used in the round strand construction for hoisting purposes. Rope made with 7 wires to the strand is used largely for haulage purposes in mines and on inclines and also for the transmission of power. Seven-wire rope, when made of galvanized wire, is used for guys, ships' rigging, etc. Rope with 12 wires to the strand is sometimes used for haulage purposes and when made in galvanized rope it is used for guys and for ships" rigging. We make the round strand rope in our Hercules quality of steel, also in Special steel, crucible steel and plow steel, Swedes iron and galvanized iron, dependent upon the purpose for which it is intended. Price lists and data, pages 56 to 68. A. LESGHEN & SONS ROPE COMPANY Land's Lay The term " Lang-'s Lay" is given to a rope so constructed that the wires of each strand and the strands themselves all lay in the same direction; whereas, in ordinary constructions the wires in the strands are laid in one direction, and the strands composing the rope are laid in the other. This " Lang's Lay" method of construction should be used where rope is liable to be subjected to pressure and crushing force which results in a greater wear in the interior of the rope, due to the wires and strands crossing each other, than if the}' are laid in this Lang's method of construction. r.ANr,- Ok ]) 1 X A K ^ I, \ ^ Quality — Materials Used Successful wire rope manufacture must include a sufficiently wide range of qualities of material with the aid of a variety of constructions to be properly adapted to the peculiarities of almost innumerable uses. In classifying them here under general heads it is not with the intent of providing a guide to the wire rope user by which he can select a rope best fitted for his use. This would be a wholly imprac- ticable undertaking, as certain working conditions require a certain grade and con- struction of wire rope, and it is only froin a knowledge of what is required that the proper wire rope can be determined upon. The purpose to always have the right rope in the right place has led us to study conditions, and if unusual, to then design a rope to fit them. A. LESGHEN & SONS ROPE COMPANY Hercules Wire Rope > rr.nlr mark le-islL-red The drawing of steel wire of sufficiently high tensile strength to successfully withstand extra heavy duty developed in many phases of wire rope usage, often results in failure to secure the indispensable factors of toughness, pliability and elasticity, and herein lies the chief causes of the failure of many ropes. Inability to bend them easily and continually over small sheaves and drums without fracture makes most ropes of high tensile strength expensive under severe usage. Another great fault is brittleness where toughness should have been obtained. It was by a special patented tempering process that the superlative features of HERCULES steel — great strength, toughness, pliability, elasticity and uniformity — were combined to make possible the very successful HERCULES wire rope. For work of an extraordinary nature, for exceptionally heavy loads, or where small sheaves are unavoidable, for conditions where life depends upon the strength of a single rope, we unqualifiedly recommend rope made from that unique grade of patent process steel to which we have given the trade name HERCULES. No matter what its type of construction, which varies, as do its uses, HERCULES rope is the only steel rope uniform in density, texture, elasticity, elongation and strength. It is essentially a safe rope. It is the best that can be bought at any price, and because of its dependa- bility it is the cheapest made for those uses for which we recommend it. Hercules wire rope is a trade-marked rope and in order to designate the finished product so that all may recognize it, all HERCULES wire rope, whether flattened strand or round strand, is made with one colored strand. For nearly a quarter of a century no condition of service has developed which has been found too severe for this rope. It is flexible, easily handled, not easily abrased, and more adapted to sudden and great strains than any other wire rope in the world. Price lists and data, pages 50, 51, 56 and 57. A. LESCHEN & SONS ROPE COMPANY Special Steel (Trade mark registered) Our Special Steel wire rope, as its name implies, is made from a special grade of steel combining high tensile strength with flexibility and toughness. These, with many other properties, make it suitable for rough and heavy duty. The satisfactory results obtained from the use of our Special Steel wire rope have warranted us in securing a trade-mark to protect consumers against inferior grades. Price lists and data, pages 53 and 59. Crucible Steel Crucible cast steel wire ropes are standard for ordinary work, being of a moderately high tensile strength and quite flexible. They are used for mine haulage, transmission of power, and for varied uses where there are no unusual conditions to overcome and excessive strains to be encountered. Price lists and data, pages 54 and 60, Plow Steel Plow steel wire rope gets its name from a quality of steel originally used in steam plowing, a class of duty requiring a rope able to drag over sharp stones, stumps and rough ground without abrasion. The tensile strength developed in plow steel wire rope is high and this rope is successfully used where heavy work is performed under conditions where siifficiently large drums and sheaves are practicable. Price lists and data, page 61, Swedes Iron Iron ropes are much more pliable, are softer and of a lower tensile strength than steel. They are used principally on elevators, and sometimes in transmission of power, and also for many other uses where the work is not severe and where a greater pliability than steel rope possesses is necessary. Substituting iron rope for steel, however, is never satisfactory, and the manufacturers should be consulted with regard to the advisability of its employment in other than its well known uses. We make them of the highest grade Swedes iron in both our patent flattened strand and Round Strand constructions suitable for all iron rope purposes. Our Swedes iron PATENT FLATTENED STRAND Topc is au ideal clcvator rope giving long life and excel- lent results. Price lists and data, pages 55 and 62. 13 A. LESCHEN & SONS ROPE COMPANY Tiller Tiller rope, being made of a large number of small fine wires, is the most pliable wire rope manufactured. Its use is restricted to conditions where the strain is light and very small sheaves are necessary. It is chiefly used on elevators as a hand rope and as a steering rope on river steamboats. Price lists and data, page 63. Galvanized Rope For protection against the action of salt air, moisture and like elements, the wires in the ropes are frequently galvanized, as for guys, suspension bridge cables, hawsers and ships' rigging. It is not, however, advisable to use a galvanized rope as running- rope, or to pass over drums or sheave wheels, except when power is transmitted by means of our galvanized rope of special construction as shown on page 65. In addition to the galvanized iron and steel ropes herein listed, we galvanize ropes of any quality or construction of steel whenever required. The process of galvanizing which we use insures a coating of zinc equal to every necessity. Price lists and data, page 64. Galvanized Strand For guying of every sort within certain limits the cheapest and most effective support is galvanized strand. Strand is simply seven steel wires twisted together, properly galvanized for proof against rust and corrosion, and is used in enormous quantities by electric light, telephone and street railway companies. It is made in sizes from /g inch to Yi inch. Price lists and data, page 63. 14 A. LESCHEN & SONS ROPE COMPANY Aerial Wire Rope Tramways HE advantages of transporting material by means of aerial wire rope tramways have been fully demonstrated in the large number of equip- ments now in operation, and the increasing demand is a manifestation of their usefulness and economy. The successful operation of many a mine is dependent upon the feasibility and low cost of carrying its ores, all of which can be accomplished by the use of aerial tramways, and thereby justify the development of the mine. The field of utility of aerial wire rope tramways is however not confined to the transportation of ores alone, but on the contrary, coal, sand, rock, grain, lumber, etc., is just as economically carried. While it is generally understood that aerial wire rope tramways are used in mountainous sections where railroad construction is too costly or impracticable, it must also be understood that they are just as efficient over a level or moderately level country. The towers w^iich support the tramway are usually located at wide intervals, so that the intervening ground is free for cultivation or other uses. A right of way can thus be more easily secured and most frequently at less cost than that required for railroad construction. AVire rope tramways can be operated independent of the elements such as rain, sleet or snow. Realizing the vast field of the utility of aerial wire rope tramways, and the fact that every proposition has specific requirements and conditions to be over- come, we have perfected a number of distinct systems. The result is that we are not limited to one type whether it is adaptable or not, but are prepared to supply one of our various systems best suited for the requirements and conditions. The determination of the most suitable system for a proposition is made only after we are familiar in detail with the requirements and the contour of the ground. All such recommendations are made by our engineers and are based on the results of our long and successful experience in tramway construction. In the following pages we will treat of the various systems w^hich we build. To parties who are interested and desire to obtain the best results from their expenditure, we wall cheerfully give the addresses of the users of the Leschen Company's systems of tramways. We are prepared to promptly furnish preliminary estimates on any of the systems which we build, upon receipt of the necessary data. For final estimate an accurate profile of the ground is necessary. i6 A. LESGHEN & SONS ROPE COMPANY LESCHEN COMI-AXY'S PATENT A I T O M A i I r T K V M U V N , SIXTEEN MILES LONG Built for the Penn-\Vyc,min,«: Copper Company, Encampment, Wyoming Leschen Company's Patent Automatic Aerial Wire Rope Tramway SHE Leschen Company's Patent Automatic Wire Rope Tramway is an improved system of the double rope type in which the carriers travel upon stationary track cables and are propelled or controlled by an endless traction rope. The operation is automatic, thereby minimizing- the labor required in transporting- the material and also insuring a large carrying capacity within a given time. The length to which our automatic systems can be built and economically operated is practically without limit, varying from a few hundred feet to any length as has been demonstrated by our Automatic Tramway, built at Encamp- ment, Wvoming, sixteen miles in length. It is customary in practice to divide a long tramway into several sections, depending upon various conditions, such as length, capacity, gradients, etc. The cables or wire ropes used are supported by towers, built usually of wood although frequentlv steel construction is used. The number, heights, and their spacing T7 A. LESCHEN & SONS ROPE COMPANY depends principally upon the profile of the ground. It is our practice to place them 250 to 300 feet apart on level stretches, but where conditions demand it they can be placed at intervals of from 2,000 to 3,000 feet, if necessary. The track cables rest on long- bearing saddles on the top of the towers, and the traction rope is supported by guide sheaves or rollers placed below the saddles. The sheaves are made from cast steel and are provided with brass bushings and oil cups. The rollers, when used, are of the sectional type having a hard iron wearing ring, which, when worn, may be replaced at nominal cost. The construction of our cast steel tower sheave is such as to accommodate the shape of the clip used on the traction rope, so that this cable rests in the groove of the sheave whether a bucket is passing over a tower or not. This feature is fully taken advantage of in designing our Automatic Tramways, by the use of sheaves on all towers where cables are liable to be subjected to undue tension, due to the raising of the cable by the bucket, while passing over a tower. On towers where no additional tension is devel- oped, such as over level ground or uniform gradient, rollers are used instead of sheaves. The carriers or buckets are attached to the traction rope by means of clips spaced according to the desired tonnage. The clip is of flat construction with a button-shaped end, and is attached to the traction cable by two encircling bands tightened by two wedges. In this way the hold on the rope is positive and it is absolutely impossible for the carriers to slip on the line no matter what the grade or load may be, and the uncertainty of de- pending on friction or compression is entirely avoided. The clip, however, is easily removable and may therefore be respaced at intervals so as to distribute the wear evenly around the cable. The type of carrier used on the Leschen Company's Automatic Tramway is usually a bucket of either 6>4 or lo cubic feet capacity, although this size is frequently altered to suit requirements. The bucket rests in a strongly braced frame, which is in turn attached to a carriage consisting of a cast steel yoke and two cast steel sheaves for traveling over the track cables. This arrangement allows free movement, permitting the bucket and frame to hang perpendicular irrespective of the grade. All sheaves on the carriage are fitted with brass bushings and malleable iron cups for oiling the journals. The bucket is held in its normal position in the frame by two malleable iron latches, one on each side. A tripping bar engages these latches at the unloading terminal when the bucket discharges its material. This operation is automatic and takes place while the carriers are moving, although it is possible in this system to standard Bucket iS A. LESGHEN & SONS ROPE COMPANY arrange to detach the carriers for unloading, if desired. The buckets return in their discharged position while traveling to the loading terminal, thereby preventing rain or snow from collecting in them. At the loading terminal the bucket is returned to its normal position and again latched, all automatically, by means of a curved or righting bar. The malleable iron housing to which the bucket clip is engaged is snow-proof and is attached to the bucket frame. The clip is held in the housing by two malleable iron pawls which are controlled by a malleable iron sliding frame. When a carrier Leschen CoMi'Axv's Patent Automatic Tram\va\ Built for Chicago Portland Cement Companj-, Oglesby, Illinois is in transit the clip is locked between the two pawls, but upon reaching a terminal one pawl is moved back, allowing the clip to pass out of the housing, thereby detaching the bucket from the clip. In a similar manner the carriers are attached to the clips, after which the two pawls are locked by the sliding frame to prevent them from opening. The entire operation is automatic, requiring no attention what- soever. The clip is not held rigidly in the housing, but has sufficient play under all circumstances. For the transportation of lumber, bales, light merchandise, logs, water and similar material, special carriers are provided. 19 A. LESGHEN & SONS ROPE COMPANY Tension or anchor stations are used on tramways over one mile in length, at which stations the track ropes are parted, one section being attached to a take-up device, while the other is anchored in the ground. An overhead rail connects both of the sections of cable, so that the travel of the carrier is not interrupted but continues past the tension station. The traction rope is guided by sheaves. Both terminal stations of the Leschen Company's Patent Automatic System are provided with a sheave wheel usually ten feet in diameter, around which the traction rope passes. In the periphery of the sheave at the driving or controlling terminal is placed a series of cast steel grips for securing the necessary control of the traction rope. The grips engage the rope from the outside and in such a manner as not to injure it in any way. Brake rings are used when necessary and are bolted to the arms of the terminal wheel, so that applying a brake stops the traction rope and therefore the entire tramway. The brakes are operated by levers so located that a single atten- dant can control the tramway and can also load the carriers from the chute of the bin, when the loading terminal is also the controlling terminal. Built for Ballou's White Sand Company, Millington, Illinois A. LESGHEN & SONS ROPE COMPANY L E S C H E N C O M P A N V ' S PATENT SPECIAL AUTOMATIC TRAMWAY Built for Bingham-Xew Haven Copper and Gold ilining- Company, Bingham, Utah The wheel on the opposite terminal is mounted on trucks and attached to a tension device so as to provide a uniform tension in the traction cable. The track ropes, upon entering one of the terminals, are anchored in the ground, while at the opposite terminal they are attached to a tension take-up device for maintaining uniform tension in the cable. Over-head rail connects both standing cables, allowing the carriers to travel over this rail from one track cable to the other. All carriers are automatically detached at the loading terminal, and by means of a patent lever device, the speed of all incoming carriers after being detached is gradually retarded and finally placed in a position of rest at the loading point. In like manner and by means of a similar device, each carrier receives an acceler- ation to the speed of travel of the traction rope before it is attached to the clip. The object of retarding and accelerating is to avoid all jars or jerks in attaching or detaching the carriers, and this we have entirely eliminated, with the result that the life of the machinery and cable is considerably increased. As previously stated, the carriers are automatically discharged at the unloading terminal without detaching them, although this can be done if desired in a similar manner as at the loading terminal. The carriers for return freight and material can be detached for loadinsf if desired. A. LESGHEN & SONS ROPE COMPANY A decided advantage possessed by our Patent Automatic System is that the car- riers, unlike those in all other double rope systems, pass entirely around the terminals over the rail while attached to the traction rope. The necessity of moving them around the terminals by hand in order to clear the sheave wheels is thus avoided. Furthermore, it is not necessary to remove. the buckets from the line to load or unload. The amount of labor thus saved, especially where wages are high, is enormous, and the saving will in a very short period pay for the entire equipment. Whenever desired, intermediate loading or unloading stations can be provided at practically any point along the line. When the loaded carriers travel down grade and the difference in elevation is sufficient, the tramway will operate by the force due to gravity. If this is not the case, power is applied l^y means of bevel gearing attached to the terminal shaft and operated by an engine, motor, or other sources of power. We furnish special scales for automatically indicating the weight of the material transported, and also counters for keeping a record of the number of buckets carried daily. Loading Terminal, L e s c h e n Company's Patent Special Automatic Tramway Biiilt for Taylor Mountain Mining Company, Garfield, Colorado A. LESGHEN & SONS ROPE COMPANY Leschen Company's Patent Special Automatic Aerial Wire Rope Tramway ERY frequently in an aerial wire rope tramway it is not necessary to detach the carriers at the loading terminal, provided the material to be transported is such that it will flow readily through a chute. When these conditions exist our Patent Special Automatic Wire Rope Tramway can be used to advantage for the economical transportation of the material. The system is similar to our standard automatic type, with the exception that the carriers remain permanently attached to the traction rope and are loaded while moving by means of a traveling mechanical loader. The clip on the traction rope is positively attached to the carrier frame, which avoids any possibility of the carrier slipping on the steepest gradient. No delicate .1^^ J A .N I>A K 1) To WE K adjustment of grips or compression parts is necessary. The mechanical loader is loaded from the ore bin. See illustration on opposite page. The carrier, upon reaching the loader, starts the latter in motion until it attains the speed of the carrier, when both travel together ; in the meantime the gate of the loader raises, discharging the ore into the bucket of the carrier. The loader is then released and returns on an incline rail to the loading position, its return being checkec' by an air cylinder. A. LESCHEN & SONS ROPE COMPANY By placing the mechanical loader or the bucket tripping device on movable carriages, the material can be drawn from or discharged into several bins when the latter are located in line with the tramway. The unloading terminal is the same as that of our Patent Automatic Tramway. Whenever return freight, such as supplies, is to be carried to the loading point, special carriers are provided, which can be attached or detached at either terminal for loading or unloading. Whenever angles or curves are encountered in the horizontal plane, our Special Automatic Tramway having an angle rope clip can be used to advantage. The clip is so constructed as to permit the carrier to travel around the curve without interference or attention. L E S C H E N v_ . . >i . \ N 1 ~ I V I ] A 1 .^ 1 r. i_ 1 A 1. A L T < I M A 1 I i_ i i^ ^ Built for Hudson Iron Company, Fort Montgomery, New York 24 A. LESGHEN & SONS ROPE COMPANY Leschen Company's Friction Grip Aerial Wire Rope Tramway [HE Leschen Company's Friction Grip Aerial Wire Rope Tramway is of the double rope type to which the carriers are attached to the traction cable by means of a friction or compression grip. The towers are supported and located similar to those of our Patent Automatic System while the traction cable is supported entirely on guide rollers. The carriers are generally 6% cubic feet in capacity, although the size varies with the tonnage and the bulk of the material to be transported. Each carrier is fitted with cast steel sheave wheels which run on the track cables, each wheel being provided with brass bushings and malleable iron oil cups. The friction grip is mounted in a frame on the carrier in such a way that the entire grip is free to revolve and will follow the angle of the traction cable irrespective of its inclination. The construction of the grip provides a powerful toggle arrangement, securing a perfect hold on the traction cable and avoiding slippage. By means of an adjusting device, the wear in the jaws of the grip and cable is taken care of. The bucket proper is suspended in a frame and latched to the latter. When it is desired to dump the bucket the latch is raised, allowing the attendant to revolve the bucket and dis- charge the material. Special forms of carriers are furnished when timber, logs, grain, water, barrels or merchandise are to be carried. The construction of both terminals is sim- ilar, each consisting of overhead rail around which the buckets travel. The traction rope is passed around a series of sheaves at the control- ling end, to which brakes are attached if it is a gravity proposition, and bevel gearing when it is a power proposition. The traction rope passes around a single sheave wheel at the opposite terminal, this sheave being mounted on a tension slide and attached to a weight box for maintaining a uniform tension in the rope. As a carrier enters either terminal it is autoinatically detached from the cable, and by means of a similar device the buckets are mechanically attached after the operator moves same to the attaching point. Standard Bucket 25 A. LESGHEN & SONS ROPE COMPANY This system is recommended whenever it is necessary to detach the carriers at both terminals in order to collect or discharge material at a number of places, and which is very frequently the case in industrial plants. Whenever the number of loading and discharging points is limited, we would in that event recommend either our Patent Automatic or Special Automatic System, owing to the labor saving features which they possess. Leschen Company's Single Line Tramway The Leschen Company's Single Line Tramway consists of an endless wire rope to which buckets are attached. The cable is supported at intervals of 200 feet and upward by means of towers having chilled grooved sheaves over which the cable operates. These sheaves are provided with phosphor bronze bushings, requiring no oil. The size of the buckets is small compared with the double rope systems, and will average about 2)2 cubic feet, although other sizes are sometimes used. The usual construction in our system is to use a revolving type of bucket which is automatically dumped at the discharging point, while at the loading point the ore is automatically loaded into the bucket by means of a mechanical loader. This loader, while traveling with the bucket for a short distance, discharges the material into the latter, when it is released and returns to its initial position. The style of clip used on the bucket is one which is inserted in the center of the cable in such a way as to make the connection positive, while to the end of the clip is fastened the bucket hanger. Special carriers can be furnished for the transportation of any class of material, in which case they are designed to accommodate the material to be carried. The terminal stations are similar, one of them consisting of a grip wheel around which the rope passes, while the other terminal consists of a plain sheave wheel mounted on a tension carriage attached to a weight box for providing a uniform tension in the cable. When it is a gravity proposition, brakes are used in connection with the grip wheel, while if it is a power proposition, a bevel gear is attached to the terminal sheave. This style of tramway is economical for capacities not exceeding 6 tons per hour, and where the conditions are favorable. A double rope tramway is recommended in pref- erence to single-line equipments in all cases, but frequently it is desired to keep down the initial cost of the equipment, and for cases of this kind a single line tramway can be used to advantagfe. 26 A. LESGHEN & SONS ROPE COMPANY Leschen Company's Two-Bucket Tramway Where the capacity is moderate and the length of line not too great, a two-bucket tramway ma)^ often be economically used. This system consists of two parallel cables, upon each of which a carrier operates. The carriers are attached to a traction or pulling rope, the latter passing around a series of sheaves at one end, to which the brakes are attached in a gravity proposition, or driving pulleys when power is required. In most cases it is advisable to use an endless traction rope for this purpose, passing the opposite end around a single sheave wheel, which will pro- duce a more uniform operation and will give better results. In the operation of this system the loaded carrier travels on one cable, and at the same time the empty carrier returns on the second one. This operation is then reversed. The buckets orcarriers are generally lo cubic feet in capacity, and are of the automatic dis- charging type, so arranged that one man is all that is necessary to look after the entire operation. The cables are supported by intermediate towers which are spaced according to the profile of the ground. An incline is not essential to a line of this type, for when using an endless traction rope the buckets can be operated by means of power whenever necessary. Bullt for victor Fuel company, Hastings, Col. Leschen Company's Single Carrier Line Where the conditions under which a line is installed render power necessary on account of insufficient incline, a single carrier will often give the required service for a limited capacity. This carrier is operated backward and forward on one track cable by means of an endless rope which is connected to a driving drum or a series of sheaves for obtaining the necessary friction for operating the ropes. 27 A. LESCHEN & SONS ROPE COMPANY Wire Rope for Tramways iE invariably recommend our patent flattened strand wire rope for the track or standing cables, and the traction or running rope on wire rope tramways. The general construction of this rope is such as to expose to wear several wires in each strand instead of only one wire, which is the case in the Round Strand construction. The wear is conse- quently less on any one wire, thereby increasing the life of the cable. This feature is shown in the views by the large number of wires which come in contact with the circle drawn around the rope. Owing to the large bearing between the strands in this construction of rope, they are less liable to the crushing action which occurs on the tower saddles. The amount of metal in the cross section of the patent flattened strand wire rope is far greater than in ropes of ordinary construction, making the rope considerably stronger for the same diameter. Patent flattened strand wire ropes will not kink or spin, and after they are in use they will wear as smooth and round as a rod, saving wear on trolley wheels and sheaves. This rope is made in long lengths when necessary, thus doing away with patent couplings and splices, which are very expensive and never as safe as a continiious length of rope. Rope of ordinary or Lang's Lay, Round Strand construction, may be used for the track cable or the traction rope, or for both, if so desired. It, however, will not give the satisfaction and service that the patent flattened strand wire rope will, and the wear produced on the trolley wheels and sheaves is quite an item, which should be well considered before deciding upon the construction of rope desired. mm XX^ Cross Sections Patent Flattened Strand Wire Rope ^ Cross Sections Ordinary Round Strand Wire Rt>pe A. LESCHEN & SONS ROPE COMPANY Wire Rope Haulage IRE rope haulage is an important factor in the different arrangements of mine transportation owing to its adaptability to the various conditions which are met with in mines, and a haulage system must be of low initial cost for installation and with a low cost for its maintenance, and at the same time the material used in its construction must be of the best obtain- able and with a workmanship strictly first-class in every particular. 