Large Hoisting Machine and Ditch Measurements
A tall pyramidal timber machine over a curved toothed track, with a note on a ditch's width
A tall pyramidal frame of timber struts rises over a large curved, toothed track or rack, with a wheel set within the framework — a great machine apparently for hoisting or hauling along the curved way, related to earth-moving or water-lifting works. In the upper-left corner Leonardo notes the dimensions of a ditch: reckoning the gomito as 11/14 of a braccio, a channel 36 braccia wide at the mouth measures 45 and 9/11 gomiti, and 30 braccia at the bottom measures 38 and 2/11 gomiti. Further faint, untranscribed writing runs across the upper part of the sheet.
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Pyramidal timber machine over a curved toothed track
A tall trellis of struts converges to an apex above a broad framework. A wheel sits within the structure, and a large curved rack fitted with teeth sweeps around to the right, suggesting a machine for hauling or hoisting along the curved way.
Width of a ditch at mouth and bottom
A marginal note gives the profile of a ditch (fosso): 36 braccia wide at the mouth, narrowing to 30 braccia at the bottom.
Converting braccia into gomiti
Taking the gomito as 11/14 of a braccio, Leonardo converts the ditch's widths: 36 braccia become 45 and 9/11 gomiti at the mouth, and 30 braccia become 38 and 2/11 gomiti at the bottom.