Quote:
Originally Posted by wmws
Ryan I see your point about lifting a weight easier with a shorter arm but your not lifting a weight. You are using a fulcrum. Think crow bar. The longer the crow bar the less effort will be needed for the same force.
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Not necessarily! It depends on the placement of the fulcrum. Put the crowbar under a heavy weight with a block of wood 6" from the "handle" end and try to lift the weight. Now put the block 3" from the weight and try again.
Or think of the pitman arm and the steering arm as two teeth on two gears (one each, such as a 4 to 1 ring and pinion). When you put power to the pinion (short lever), the ring gear (long lever) multiplies power at the axle shaft about 4 times, but the pinion travels (rotates) 4 times further.