Recent Blogs
Drag-link Mechanism (d-class): How It Works, Parts, Formula & Quick-Return Uses Explained
Explore a D-class drag-link four-bar: adjust the four link lengths to compare output speed, Grashof classification and equal-angle half-turn times.
Bell-crank with Connecting Rod Mechanism: How It Works, Parts, Uses & Calculator
Bell-crank with connecting rod explained — how the right-angle linkage redirects motion, sizing math, and worked examples from aerospace flight controls.
White's Pulleys Mechanism Explained: How a Single-Rope Stepped-Sheave Tackle Works
Explore pulley effort and rope travel using an entered mechanical advantage and efficiency. The simplified support-force sum is not an anchorage rating.
Two Fixed and One Movable Pulley: Three-part Tackle Calculator
Explore the shown 3:1 tackle and compare haul force using an assumed per-sheave tension ratio. Results do not rate a lifting system.
Spanish Barton (form 2) Mechanism Explained: 5:1 Compound Pulley Parts, Formula & Rigging Uses
Spanish Barton form 2 rigging explained — how stagehands and riggers achieve 5:1 mechanical advantage with two single blocks to lift heavy loads safely.
Spanish Barton (form 1) Mechanism Explained: 5:1 Compound Pulley Diagram, Parts and Uses
How the Spanish Barton form 1 tackle works, its 5:1 mechanical advantage, rigging formula, and worked example for lifting heavy loads in arborist and rescue...
Simple Lifting Pulley Mechanism: How It Works, Diagram, Parts, Formula and Uses Explained
Explore a fixed pulley with a continuous rope animation. Calculate effort from load and selected efficiency, plus the sheave-to-rope diameter ratio.
Movable-Pulley Cord System (d): Fixed-Redirect 2:1 Ledger
How a cord-and-movable-pulley system halves lifting force. Real worked example, mechanical advantage formula, and rigging examples for shop and field use.
Movable-Pulley Cord System (c): Standing-End and Haul-Line Ledger
How a cord-and-movable-pulley system halves lifting force in rigging, theatre, and workshop hoists. Mechanical advantage formulas, worked example, and diagrams.
Movable-Pulley Cord System (b): 2:1 Lift with Right-Angle Haul
Movable pulley systems with cord cut lifting force in half or better. See how riggers, theatres, and shipyards use them to hoist heavy loads with...
Movable-Pulley Cord System (a): Fixed 2:1 Reeving Ledger
Movable pulley systems with cord cut lifting force in half or more. Learn the mechanical advantage formula, real rigging examples, and design tradeoffs.
Movable Pulley with Counterweight: Exact Balance and Travel Ratio
Explore an ideal counterweighted movable pulley. Calculate line tension, counterweight mass, two-to-one travel and load imbalance for two vertical supporting legs.
Single Movable Pulley: Ideal Rope Tension and Displacement Geometry
Calculate ideal rope tension, vertical force ratio and local load rise for a single movable pulley with symmetric rope segments. Includes an animated force model.
Chain and Pulley (form 1) Mechanism Explained: How It Works, Diagram, Parts and Uses
See alternating-plane chain links engage a toothed wheel. Separately compare a load with hand pull to calculate the overall force ratio a complete system would...
Stake Puller Mechanism: How a Gas-Engine Hydraulic Post Puller Works, Parts, and Uses
How a gas-engine Stake Puller works, the lifting force formula, real fencing-contractor examples, and how to size one for steel T-posts and survey stakes.
Toggle Stump Puller: Historical Arrangement and Ideal Toggle Ratios
Explore a historical stump-puller subject with an abstract two-link toggle model. Calculate ideal force and travel ratios, without predicting chain load or capacity.
Lever Grip-Tongs: Hiscox Item 1461 Motion Viewer
See how shackle pull closes lever grip-tongs through their connecting links and upper arms. Compare three schematic positions without a lifting-capacity claim.
Adjustable Grip Tongs Mechanism Explained: How Scissor Lifting Clamps Work, Parts, Diagram
See the load-actuated tong principle and explore assumed clamp-force multipliers. The calculator does not determine linkage geometry or a lifting-device working load limit.
Toggle-joint Duplex Air Compressor: Historical Linkage and Ideal Ratios
Explore the historical compressor arrangement and compare ideal two-link toggle ratios at two angles. The calculator does not predict pressure, delivery or piston force.
Equalizing Lever: Load Sharing, Rocker Animation and Calculator
Compare ideal load shares in an equalizing lever. Enter the two arm lengths and see how a rigid rocker divides a vertical frame load between...
Compound Lever Shears Mechanism Explained: How It Works, Parts, Formula, and Uses
Explore connected compound bench shears. Compare two lever ratios and pull force, with ideal blade force and stock-thickness comparisons.
Bell Crank Transmission: Ideal Force and Arc-travel Calculator
Explore a rigid bell crank. Compare ideal tangential force ratio and circular pin travel from two arm lengths and a shared rotation angle.
Weston Differential Pulley Block: Ideal Travel and Force Ledger
Learn how pulleys combined with a differential gear split torque between two outputs. Engineering breakdown, formula, worked example, and real industrial uses.
Parallel Plyers: Exact Parallelogram Jaw Geometry
Explore ideal parallel-jaw geometry using an equal-link parallelogram. Calculate horizontal offset, jaw separation, parallelism and the long diagonal.
Link Transmission Mechanism: How Four-Bar Linkages Work, Parts, Transmission Angle and Uses
Explore transmission angle at a coupler-to-rocker joint. Calculate normalized tangential and radial force components and compare the angle with a chosen band.