The figure shows a wheelbarrow of mass 15 kg carrying a load of 30 kgf with its centre of gravity at A. The points B and C are the centre of wheel and tip of the handle such that the horizontal distance AB = 20 cm and AC = 40 cm.
The figure shows a wheelbarrow of mass 15 kg carrying a load of 30 kgf with its centre of gravity at A. The points B and C are the centre of wheel and tip of the handle such that the horizontal distance AB = 20 cm and AC = 40 cm.

Find: (a) the load arm, (b) the effort arm, (c) the mechanical advantage, and (d) the

minimum effort required to keep the leg just off the ground.

Solutions:

(a)

According to the diagram,

(a) Load arm AF is 20 cm

(b) Effort arm CF is 60 cm

(c) Expression for Mechanical advantage is

M.A. = CF / AF = 60 / 20

M.A. = 3

(d) Total load becomes

30 + 15 = 45 kgf

Expression for effort is –

Effort = Load / M.A = (30 + 15) / 3

Effort = 15 kgf