Pulley System Force Calculator
Effort to lift with block-and-tackle, friction included.
Four falls SHOULD quarter the pull; friction returns ~15% of it. The trade: you haul 4 m of rope per metre of lift. Velocity ratio never lies — only efficiency does.
Formula
Pulley System Force Calculator is a free block and tackle for mechanical and machine-design engineers — instant, accurate and 100% client-side, with the governing formula and reference shown next to the result so the number can be defended, not just quoted.
About Pulley System Force Calculator
Effort to lift with block-and-tackle, friction included. The calculation implements MA_ideal = n; MA_real ≈ n·eⁿ (e = sheave efficiency) (Simple machines; rigging handbooks). Four falls SHOULD quarter the pull; friction returns ~15% of it. The trade: you haul 4 m of rope per metre of lift. Velocity ratio never lies — only efficiency does.
How to use Pulley System Force Calculator
- 1Enter Load weight in kg.
- 2Enter Supporting rope falls.
- 3Enter Per-sheave efficiency in % (Ball-bearing sheave 95–98 · bushing 90).
- 4Read Ideal effort, Real effort, Rope you pull per metre lifted instantly — no submit button needed.
- 5Need US units? Flip the SI/Imperial toggle and every field converts.
Why use Pulley System Force Calculator?
- ✓Implements the standard formula — MA_ideal = n; MA_real ≈ n·eⁿ (e = sheave efficiency)
- ✓Reference cited on-page: Simple machines; rigging handbooks
- ✓One-click SI ⇄ Imperial toggle — values convert in place, physics stays in SI
- ✓Runs entirely in your browser — nothing uploaded, free forever
Frequently asked questions
What formula does the Pulley System Force Calculator use?+
It computes MA_ideal = n; MA_real ≈ n·eⁿ (e = sheave efficiency), per Simple machines; rigging handbooks. The formula is displayed under the result.
What should I keep in mind when using this calculator?+
Four falls SHOULD quarter the pull; friction returns ~15% of it. The trade: you haul 4 m of rope per metre of lift. Velocity ratio never lies — only efficiency does.
Is this suitable for machine design coursework?+
Yes — these are the exact Shigley/Machinery's-Handbook formulas, with the substitution shown step by step, so you can follow the worked example into your own calculation sheet.
Is the Pulley System Force Calculator free to use?+
Yes — completely free, no sign-up, no limits. It runs client-side in your browser, so inputs stay private and results are instant even on slow connections.
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