Object number
57/232
Description
This is a roller scotch, a method of braking and stopping a wagon. It is a small wooden cylinder with iron bands at either end which is hung on chains behind a wagon wheel so that it stops the wheel if the wagon stops. One chain is fived to the back of the wagon and the other hooked through the eye in the linch pin of the rear wheel. Nothing is known about the age of place of use of this roller scotch.
Archival history
Photocopy of archive item – 'The roller scotch is a small cylinder hung on chains behind a wagon wheel when moving up hill, to be in place for scotching a wheel immediately if the wagon stops. One of the chains is fixed to the rear axle bed, or to the back of the wagon frame, the other is hooked through the eye in the linch pin of the rear wheel, otherwise it embraces the whole wheel, or is hooked to an eye in the side frame, just in front of the rear wheel. Rollers are made of tough resistant elm bound with two or more iron bonds and measure some 9 inches in length and 5 inches in diameter. When not in use, the roller is hung and the back axle of the wagon.' (Geraint Jenkins, J. 1981, 'The English Farm Wagon'. P. 99).
Object name
Associated subject
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_4757.tif - High resolution image
