I

CHAPTER XIV

PACKING OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY

DENTICALLY the same advice and instructions which have been offered in other chapters in this volume relating to the export packing of machinery, and in Captain Knowlton's and Mr. Fitz Gerald's special chapters, apply with full and equal force to the packing of all forms of agricultural machinery, and should be studied with care and attention by every exporter of the latter class of machinery. There may be little of a special nature to repeat in this chapter as applying specifically to shipments of agricultural machinery, yet it is believed that the reports and explanations which have courteously been supplied to the author by a large number of prominent manufacturers and exporters cannot fail to be of interest and value.

In the packing of agricultural implements great care must be taken to see that the lumber used is thoroughly cured, and green lumber should never be used. Strength and durability are two extremely important points in this sort of packing, and green lumber will be found to offer little or no security and will almost invariably lead to loss and trouble. As a general rule cases containing this class of goods are stored in the hold of the ship for transportation, the heat from the boilers and furnaces quickly dries out green lumber, and the speedy result is that nails are loosened or drawn out entirely, and the box or case either falls to pieces or is rendered practically useless. It frequently happens, when green lumber is used, that if the attempt is made to hoist the package from the hold it falls to pieces, and the only thing left of the machine can be easily shoveled from the bowels of the ship.

Every effort should also be made to pack the implements as compactly as possible so as to occupy the smallest amount of space, and for this purpose the machine should be knocked down just as far as the character of construction admits. However, when the machines are so knocked down instruction sheets for assembling must be most carefully worked out and enclosed with the package. The rural classes of foreign countries know, as a rule, little about mechanics, and if the purchaser is going to be protected to the extent of saving as much freight as possible, he should also be protected to the extent of enabling him to assemble the machine without loss of time and without being compelled to call in an expert mechanic from, perhaps, some distant point.

A manufacturing company widely known throughout the world, in sending a number of photographs illustrating its packing methods, calls attention to an article which recently appeared in Tractor and Trailer under the title of "Boxing Agricultural Machinery for Export." This article was written by Monnett B. Davis of the J. I. Case Plow Works Company. From it the following extracts may be quoted: "A great deal has been written concerning the proper packing of export shipments; and, judging from the reports of various trade representatives abroad, even more might be read by manufacturers with profit to themselves and to our foreign trade in general. Most writers make very sharp criticisms on methods now used, but very few suggest better methods to be substituted.

"It is our purpose to set forth in a short article a brief description of how one company packs goods to the satisfaction of their foreign customers. There is nothing new or unusual in their methods; we merely are attempting to offer a few practical suggestions for exporters who are having trouble in packing goods.

"Manufacturers in many cases do not appreciate the importance of careful packing for export. They use all care and expend real money in getting in touch with their foreign prospect and in securing the order. The steps

Courtesy of Mesta Machine Co. PACKING OF EXTRA HEAVY MACHINERY.

It is the practice to place boards over finished bored holes and bearings and to wrap with burlap and protect with narrow strips of wood the smooth finished surfaces.

Courtesy of Worthington Pump and Machinery Corp.
PACKING NAKED GOODS.

Shows how condensers are prepared for export shipment when support saddles or feet are not cast integral with shell. This clearly indicates the method used and the reason for preparing material of this character in this manner.

Three bottom engine gang plow, weight 960 lbs. net, 1090 lbs. gross. Case measures 161⁄2 cubic feet. Box is just long enough to admit beams, wide enough to hold wheels, and high enough to admit remaining parts without lost space.

thus far they deem of prime importance, as indeed they

are.

"After being advised that payment will be received for shipment at seaport this same manufacturer loses a great deal of his interest in the deal: for him the important part of the show is over. While the manufacturer's main interest is in getting his money, he must not lose sight of the fact that his customer has paid that money and that his main interest is in receiving the goods in good condition, so as to realize profit from them. If an exporter wishes to hold his customers it is very important that he take extreme care with each step in the transaction.

"Pack for Safe Arrival.-In packing goods for export the point of prime importance is to have same reach the warehouse of the foreign customer in good condition. Absolute security might be obtained by very expensive and very heavy packing; but there is another point to be watched, and that is expense involved which is borne by the customer.

"While our foreign buyers are willing and anxious to pay what is necessary to insure the arrival of goods in good condition, they at the same time appreciate every step which diminishes packing and freight costs without materially reducing security of shipment. Thus the object should be to pack goods in the smallest space and at the least expense compatible with making certain that same will arrive in foreign port in condition to be of value to the importer.

"In many cases an exporter feels that his customer is protected by insurance. This feeling is really unwarranted, as in the first place the customer has bought the goods to start doing business in a certain line; in case these goods are damaged he cannot do that even though he realizes no loss. This discourages him in practically every case and generally results in no further orders. In many cases where there is damage a great deal of inconvenience results to the importer in establishing his claim; and in many cases he must stand losses himself.