Still, if you must use small stuff, be sure to slack it off before leaving it overnight. You do this by pulling the stake up, untwisting the small stuff once, and then replacing the stake.

Combination Log Picket Holdfast

For heavy loads or in soft- or wet-earth areas, a combination log picket holdfast is frequently used. With this type, the guys are anchored to a log or timber supported against four or six combination picket holdfasts. (See fig. 6-47.) The timber serves as beam and must be placed so that it bears evenly against the front rope of the pickets. Since the holding power of this setup depends on the strength of the timber and anchor line, as well as the holdfast, you must use a timber big enough and an anchor line strong enough to withstand the pull.

Deadman

A deadman provides the best form of anchorage for heavy loads. It consists of a log, a steel beam, a steel pipe, or a similar object buried in the ground with the guy connected to it at its center. (See fig. 6-48.) Because it is buried, the deadman is suitable for use as a permanent anchorage. When you are installing a permanent deadman anchorage, it is a good idea to put a turnbuckle in the guy near the ground to permit slackening or tightening the guy when necessary.

In digging the hole in which to bury the deadman, make sure it is deep enough for good bearing on solid ground. The less earth you disturb in digging, the better the bearing surface will be. You should undercut the bank in the direction toward the guy at an angle of about 15 degrees from the vertical. To increase the bearing surface, drive stakes into the bank at several points over the deadman.

A narrow, inclined trench for the guy must be cut through the bank and should lead to the center of the deadman. At the outlet of the trench, place a short beam or logon the ground under the guy. In securing the guy to the center of the deadman, see that the standing part (that is, the part on which the pull occurs) leads from the bottom of the log deadman. Thus, if the wire rope clips slip under strain, the standing part will rotate the log in a counterclockwise direction, causing the log to dig into the trench, rather than roll up and out. See that the running end properly to the standing part. of the guy is secured

Figure 6-47. - A combination log picket