Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 May 1886 — The “Go-Devil.” [ARTICLE]

The “Go-Devil.”

This is an iron stem or shaft about two feel’ long. Near the head, or front end, four iron arms radiate. On the end of each arm is a small wheel. This is know a» a guide. The circumference of this guide, when the “go-devil" is not in use, is larger than the interior of the pipe, but folds back when inserted in the pipe, and a spring under each arm presses them snugly against the :teles of the pipe. A few inches behind the guide is a set of seven steel knives or scrapers, arranged like the blades of the Windmills or whirligigs of the* toy shop. The shaft or stein is not made of one piece of iron. It is in two sections, united by a socket joint. At the rear end or bottom of the stem is another guide, similar to the one at the head. When the pipes are thought to need cleanmg’tlie"scraper is inserted inr the pipe at a pumping station. The pressure of the-oil behind it pushes it through, the wheeled guides making the passage free. As the scraper moves along the set of knives revolve within the pipe and sets the paraffine loose. The knives are held firmly against the sides of the pipe by springs at their base. Behind the knives is a stationary fan-like contrivance which shuts up close and fits the opening snugly, and carries along the paraffine that is moved. If an obstacle is met with that cannot be removed by the “go-devil,” the guides, knives, and fan-like attachment fold back and pass it. If a bend is met with in the line the socket joint in the stem permits the contrivance to round it and pass on. When -the scraper isT started two men starts along the pipe to follow it on it course. The noise made by the “godevil" is sufficient to be heard by the men, and it is their business to keep its location known until relieved by a relay at another point on the route. If they lose trace of it, much difficulty is encountered in finding it. The scraper is followed until the next station is reached, when it is removed. —New York Sun.-