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Show THE BACbltjiJ iiOTC'R. A Hydraulic Triumph and a Valuable Val-uable Invention. Some time ago it became necessary to increase tbe epeed of the press upon which tbe Herald U printed. Heretofore Here-tofore the motive power employed, was a couple cfatoutmen "circular editors" tbey were familiarly called by the employes of the establishment who took turns at tbe wheel of tbe Campbell press that has been in use in this establishment during the past four years. A heavy printing press like ours is by no means a Uht running run-ning machine, and when it U stated that the wheel by which it is operated has to make eix revolutions to print one side of each paper, or twelve revolutions for every paper, it may well be imagined that the "circular , editor" must be active, as well as powerful and enduring. About the liveliest men around the establishment, establish-ment, from 2 o'clock in the morning, when the night telegrams arejjaually all in, to 6, were the pressmen, striking strik-ing o9 the last side, harrying in order to catch the mails and supply tbe carriers in time to lay the Herald on the breakfast tables of our city subscribers. The lengthening of the subscription list making it necessary to increase the speed of the press beyond the capabilities of mD, we cast about eome time ago lor a suitable motive power, convenience, conveni-ence, safety and economy all being taken into consideration. The choice laid between steam and water; and tbe result of our inquiries was the selection of the latter as preferable. So far we have seen nothing to cause regret at the decision. During the last week the power by which the HgFALn has been printed, is a 30-inch 30-inch (single) Backus water motor. It is a little "machine" takiugup no more room than a farmer's grind-atone, grind-atone, and is rather ornamental than otherwise. But small, compact and simple as it is, it is one of the great inventions of the age, being a triumph in the application of hydraulics and the inventor's art. It is supplied with water from the mains, and the stream used passes through a tip of less than half an inch in size. To be more exact an ordinary Faber pencil will barely paes through the tip. The power is obtained from the pressure, which, we understand, under-stand, is about fifty pounds at this point. The full capacity of the motor we do not know, but the power is more than we have any use for at present- Small as the jet is that turns it, one half of the force is sufficient for our purposes, as with it 1,000 Heralds an hour can be printed. Probably double the speed could be obtained if necessary. It is a pleasure u watch the motor wort, it performs its duty with Buch ease, and perfect regularity, and is so quiet about it. There is no "firing up," no wailing for steam, no smoke, ne dust, no heat, no danger of an explosion, no engineer, en-gineer, no gauges to be watched, no boilers to be repaired, no unpleasant smell, nothing about it that is dangerous or disagreeable. You simply turn a hand wheel and work begins, the power and speed being regulated at will by the little wheel opening and closing the valve chat controls the water. Nothing co a la De more perfect in its operations oper-ations or more faithful in its work. Steam for ordinary purposes where the power of the motor is sufficient, ie not to be compared to the latter io any respect. Not the least item in favor of the motor is economy, the original cost being not much more than half the price of a steam en" gine, which latter continues to be a source of considerable expense for fuel, oil, engineer's services, etc., whereas all of these are avoided in the other. To conclude, we are highly pleased with our Backus motor, whose gen eral points of excellence ex-cellence are thus faithfully summarized sum-marized by the manufacturers: "First, nominal cost, convenience and great-durability; Becond, its noiseless running qualities; third, its availability, availa-bility, when shut ofi there Is no waste as occurs in ordinary Bteam boilers; fourth, its safety and freedom from deraugement." The motor was put in by Messrs. Heeechifc Ellerbeck, under the supervision sup-ervision of Messrs. W. H. U. Bowers & Co., sole agents for the Pacific coast for the valuable invention. The work was all satisfactorily performed, and we cannot do less than recommend, as wo conscientiously can, the above tirma to those needing similar work. |