CARE OF CHAINS
Properly lubricated chains should run for at least a thousand miles without attention. Because of their exposed position they should be protected against undue wear, and this is best attained by soaking them, when thoroughly cleaned, in melted tallow, working each joint in order that the liquid may penetrate. The chain should be hung up to cool and dry, the surplus tallow being wiped off. The hardened tallow in the joints will prevent grit from working in, and is a lubricant as well. To clean a chain, soak it in kerosene, working each joint to remove the grit. The stretching of the chain may be taken up by lengthening the radius rods, but when the stretching reaches a point that permits it, the chain should be shortened by the removal of a link, and the rods readjusted. If a complete chain is not carried as a spare part, the kit should always include a few extra links for emergency repairs. These are not difficult to apply, being secured in position by nuts instead of by burring over the ends of the rivets.