Differential pulley the system becomes a simple "gun tackle" with a mechanical advantage of 2. The same principle is used in a differential windlass, where the connected pulleys are replaced by winches. In the above graphic, the four segments of the chain are labelled W, X, Y and Z. The magnitudes of their corresponding forces are "F", "F", "F" and "F", respectively. Assuming that the chain is massless, "F" = 0 because segment X is not supporting any weight. Taking the system at equilibrium, "F" and "F" are equal — if they were not, the lower pulley would freely turn until they
Block and tackle blocks. Frictional losses also mean there is a practical point at which the benefit of adding a further sheave is offset by the incremental increase in friction which would require additional force to be applied in order to lift the load. Too much friction may result in the tackle not allowing the load to be released easily, or by the reduction in force needed to move the load being judged insufficient because undue friction has to be overcome as well. A block which is open or can be opened to engage with a bight, without the necessity to thread the