A wheel best kept near its poles; crank-and-rod motions
Set close to its pivots it moves little, so it can be built very strong
The folio is filled with crank-and-connecting-rod mechanisms, weighted flywheels and a helical screw that transform rotary into reciprocating motion. The single transcribed note argues that a grinding wheel (mola) is safer set near its poles than far from them: kept close it moves little, so it can be made very strong and lasts. The reasoning breaks off as Leonardo begins the contrary case of placing it far from pole n. Further untranscribed notes appear elsewhere on the sheet.
On this page
A wheel is safer near its poles than far from them
The grinding wheel (mola) is safer set near its poles than far away: staying close it has to move only a little, so it can be built very strong and thus endures. The note breaks off as it turns to the opposite case of placing it far from pole n.
Crank, connecting-rod and flywheel mechanisms
Across the sheet, cranks and connecting rods with weighted balls drive flywheels, and a helical screw appears among them, converting continuous rotation into reciprocating motion. These mechanisms are drawn without accompanying transcribed text.