Studies of a heavy beam moved on rollers, wheels, and sledges
Sketches comparing ways to shift a heavy block: rollers, small wheels, and flat runners
The left-hand page carries a vertical series of pen sketches showing the same long rectangular block or beam supported in different ways: on two rollers with upright handles, on small wheels with a prop, on a low wheeled truck drawn by a line, on flat sled runners, and finally on a large single wheel set between skids. Together they read as a comparison of methods for shifting a heavy load, testing rollers, wheels, and sledges. No transcription accompanies this page; only faint show-through from the facing leaf is visible.
On this page
Comparing rollers, wheels, and sledges for a heavy load
The stacked sketches set the same heavy block on rollers, on wheels, and on sled runners in turn, a study of how the means of support changes the effort of moving it. The lowest sketch combines a large single wheel with skids.
Wheeled trucks and runners under a beam
Individual sketches show a beam mounted on a small four-wheeled truck with a tow line and, separately, on flat runners like a sledge. Uprights and a prop appear on the upper carriages.