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Figure 4.–Bags allow directing the flow of material under or away from the |
For 8 days in June, 1994, up to 24 head of mules packed gravel for a 3/4-mile (1.2-kilometer) stretch of new turnpike construction on the South Fork Sun Trail No. 202. The packstock belonged to members of PWOA. They also provided workers at the gravel source to work alongside the Forest Service crew.
Each bag was tested by carrying about eight loads per day for 8 days (64 trips). The gravel was hauled from a river bottom gravel bar, up a hill approximately 1/2 mile (.3 kilometer) to the turnpike construction site.
Both Carper design bags were loaded with about 160 pounds (72 kilograms) per bag, for a total load of 320 pounds (144 kilograms) per mule. The outfitters believed the mules could handle that load for short distances, but about 120 pounds (54 kilograms) per bag would be better for longer hauls. It was easy to overload the animals. In fact, the initial loads weighed 200 pounds (90 kilograms) per bag until they were better calibrated.
Because of their smaller dimensions and lighter construction, the fruit picking bags could hold only about 80 pounds (36 kilograms) of gravel per bag.
Each mule string was led through the gravel pit area, with workers on each side filling bags a bucket at a time. The bags were quiet, although the metal buckets were not. When all the mules in the string were loaded, they were led to the turnpike. Two workers were stationed there, one to hold the mule and the other to unload it one side at a time. The packstring was separated during unloading. This proved to be the most difficult procedure, since the mules varied in temperament and some were quite contentious.
Because of the difficulty of positioning some of the mules exactly where the gravel was needed, the ability to direct the flow of gravel from the bag by pulling the rope on the bottom was very useful (Figure 4). Also, by lifting up on the rope, the flow of gravel could be halted and redirected to a slightly different spot.
In all cases, the empty bags were left mounted on the packsaddles, tied and adjusted, ready for the next load.
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Figure 4.–Bags allow directing the flow of material under or away from the |