Strength and pulleys

Question

How does it work metal wires, and pulleys?

Had a quick chat with a crane operator, using a wire for lifting. Asked what the max load he could lift. He said X amount, but if he uses a pulley, he could lift almost 2 times X.

Is this true? Is there a max to how many pulleys you can use/weight you can lift
Is the lifting curve linear or exponential?

TYIA

In: 20

Answer 1

Yes, you can add pulleys to increase the force exerted at the lifting hook of the crane, but you can’t make the crane heavier, or the boom stronger. The limits on what the crane can lift have more to do with not tipping the crane over and not buckling the rigid structure. There is no point in installing a pulley system that will lift more than what would tip the crane over.

Answer 2

Yes, you can add pulleys to increase the force exerted at the lifting hook of the crane, but you can’t make the crane heavier, or the boom stronger. The limits on what the crane can lift have more to do with not tipping the crane over and not buckling the rigid structure. There is no point in installing a pulley system that will lift more than what would tip the crane over.