Mechanical Advantages #3 Pulley Systems Explained

Book excerpt: This Promotional book, is destintened be part of a Complete Technical Guide entitled: Mechanical Advantages: Ropes, Pulleys, Rigging Systems, and Avoiding Dangerous Resultants (3rd Ed). It has over 500 pages including this book/release is the foundation for the "Pulleys section" of the bigger book, which includes 11 sections: Introduction, Equipment soft goods and hardware, Pulley Systems Explained (this book/release), Safety, Rigging systems, Training, Adventure-recreation, Rescue, Work: trams, cranes, picks, manlifts, and Avoiding dangerous resultants." This book/release is over 150 pages, and 150 pictures, charts, diagrams, and drawings to help communicate, on building a good foundation and understanding of pulleys and their many uses. It includes real life examples of ways pulleys work, how to create various configurations to gain pulley advantage, how to figure out "What the Mechanical Pulley advantage different systems create," Compound, Complex, and Simple pulley systems, effects of mechanical rope grabs on rope, and many more things related to pulleys and the various connectors, ropes, and other gear. This book begins with some advanced basics, and then addresses many skills and situations used by people, rescue professionals, and skilled work professionals interested in pulleys, ropes, and various systems. It is a great book for rescue professionals, SAR, Firefighters, Sailing, EMS Personnel, FEMA Personnel, construction workers, adventure professionals and recreationalists, or anyone who works with ropes, and pulleys. It is explains the difference between simple, complex, and compound pulley systems. How a pulley system may load a component in such a way that it becomes a disadvantage, and may cause an anchor or other component to fail. Within these pages I explain safety, situational awareness, on various ways to rig and use pulley systems, why they work, and how to gain the "Maximum efficiency and simplicity, with a minimum amount of effort and equipment, while maintaining a low risk exposure (Safety Picture). I have included almost 100 pictures and diagrams to help communicate these principles and concepts. With over 40 years of experience teaching, rescuing, working, and fiddling with pulleys and rigging gear, I believe I have some insights not found in any other text on the subject. Thanks for your interest.Douglas S. Hansen