Pulley system, the massless and frictionless pulleys do not dissipate energy and allow for a change of direction of a rope that does not stretch or wear. In this case, a force balance on a free body that includes the load, "W", and "n" supporting sections of a rope with tension "T", yields: The ratio of the load to the input tension force is the mechanical advantage "MA" of the pulley system, Thus, the mechanical advantage of the system is equal to the number of sections of rope supporting the load. A belt and pulley system is characterised by two or
Block and tackle tackle the direction of the pulling force is reversed though the mechanical advantage remains the same, Diagram 3a. This is an example of the Luff tackle. The decision of which to use depends on pragmatic considerations for the total ergonomics of working with a particular situation. Reeving to advantage is the most efficient use of equipment and resources. For example, if the load is to be hauled parallel to the ground, reeving to advantage enables the pulling force to be in the direction of the load movement, allowing obstacles to be managed more easily. Reeving to disadvantage adds an extra