PHANTOM VIEW OF MARSH INDEPENDENT STEAM PUMP.
Other types of valves are managed in a similar way, and exact directions will always be furnished by the manufacturers.
FILLING THE BOILER WITH WATER.
There are three ways in which a boiler is commonly filled with water.
First, before starting a boiler it must be filled with water by hand, or with a hand force-pump. There is usually a filler plug, which must be taken out, and a funnel can be attached in its place. Open one of the gauge cocks to let out the air as the water goes in.
When the boiler has a sufficient amount of water, as may be seen by the glass water gauge, replace the filler plug. After steam is up the boiler should be supplied with water by a pump or injector.
THE BOILER PUMP.
There are two kinds of pumps commonly used on traction engines, the Independent pump, and the Cross-head pump.
The Independent pump is virtually an independent engine with pump attached. There are two cylinders, one receiving steam and conveying force to the piston; the other a water cylinder, in which a plunger works, drawing the water into itself by suction and forcing it out through the connection pipe into the boiler by force of steam pressure in the steam cylinder.
