How to Select Pulleys

Choose the right pulley for the job

A pulley is a simple machine that uses a wheel and a rope to drive force to lift a load. The pulley you choose depends on the job that you need the pulley to do. Many manufacturers make pulleys that are specifically designed for recreation, rescuing, or assisting with heavy-duty lifting on a job site. If you have a load you need to lift, picking the correct pulley is important to doing the job safely.

Instructions

1. Determine what kind of job you need the pulley to do: lifting a load or assisting you in climbing or rappelling.

2. Calculate the load weight that you will be moving. This will either be your body weight or the full weight of the load that needs to be lifted.

3. Choose a pulley system that is rated for a load higher than your total load weight. A fixed pulley or combination pulley system is the correct type of pulley for lifting heavy loads, while a climbing or rescue pulley is the correct type of pulley for climbing or rappelling.

Tips & Warnings

• Metal pulleys that are rust and corrosion resistant tend to be more durable. Pulleys need to be kept lubricated to work correctly, so consider selecting a self-lubricating type of pulley if you don't want to have to worry about keeping it lubricated.

• The type of pulley you choose is only half of the equation. You also need to consider the tensile strength of the rope or cable you use with the pulley. Both the pulley and the rope must be rated at a strength above your total load amount to operate the pulley safely.

References

• Picky Guide: Guide to Pulleys

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish