What is Pulley - Parts Types Examples Advantages and Disadvantages

Pulley is a simple machine, but it has made our lives quite easy. Read our blog on pulleys and learn its types, advantages, disadvantages, and usage in everyday life.

1. What is Pulley? Parts, Types, Examples, Advantages,
and Disadvantages


A pulley gives you a mechanical advantage, yet it is simple. It is made up
with the help of a wire or chain, a rope, a grooved wheel with two raised
edges. It is used to lift heavy objects, change the direction of the force
and move extremely heavy objects to places. However, the size of the
wheel or rope, chain, or belt varies depending on the force requirement.
The invention of pulleys has made man’s work quite easier, and the credit
goes to its inventor, Archimedes. He did n’t actually invent the pulley, but
he did improve the pulley system of his time and developed different
systems of compound pulleys.
Pulley is one of the most used everyday machines. Whether you stay at
home all day or go to work, you use pulley systems i n your everyday life
without even knowing. Before jumping into the types, usage, and working
of the pulley, here is a definition of it:

2. “A pulley is a mechanical component that helps transfer motion and
power through a wheel turned by chain, rope, cord, or belt.”
Types of pulleys
Pulleys are of the following types:
Fixed pulley
A fixed pulley changes the direction of the input force but does not
change the amount of force applied to it. Fixed pulleys are usually
attached to a stationary object above the load, which means its axle and
wheel will stay in one place. The mechanical a dvantage of a fixed pulley is
1.

For example
Perfect examples of flexible pulleys are:

3. • Flag pole
• Water bucket of the well
Movable pulley
A movable pulley does not change the direction of the force but increases
the amount of force applied. Moving pulleys are attached to the loads,
which means its axle is in a movable block. They made the load feel much
lighter, and they have a mechanical advantage of two.

For example
Examples of the movable pulleys include:
• Elevators
• Construction cranes
Compound pulley

4. Compound pulleys are also known as combination pulleys, and they are
made up of both fixed and movable pulleys. Together, they let you change
the direction of force and make the weight feel lighter. The size of the
wheel and the length of the rope, chain, and belt of this simple machine
are designed to lessen the efforts.

For example:
• The most common examples of compound pulleys are:
• Gym equipment such as chest exercises or lat pulls down exercise
machines.
Block and tackle pulley
A block and tackle pulley comprise several movable pulleys , and fixed
pulleys are arranged parallel. They are known as a specific form of
compound pulleys where movable pulleys are aligned parallel with

5. movables and fixed pulleys are fixed. Moreover, the mechanical advantage
of the block and tackle pulley is 3.

For example
Overall, block and tackle systems have two types of pulleys: fixed and
moveable, and the mechanical advantage of all their examples varies.
• Gyn tackle
• Gun tackle
• Double luff tackles
Cone pulley
A cone pulley is made up of multiple pulleys. They are simple in design,
cost less, and have larger circumferences. They are called cone pulleys
because multiple pulleys form a cone shape at a point. Its small wheel

6. requires small circumferences and produces less work in the result.
Likewise, big wheels will have a larger circumference. Moreover, the
operator of cone pulleys can alter the speed of its movement.

For example
• Electric motor, and that’s a powerful electric pulley system.
Examples of pulleys in everyday life
Technical knowledge or applications apart, we use pulleys in our everyday
lives and have made work easier. A man uses almost all types of pulleys in
a single day. Here are a few examples of pulleys we use in our everyday
life:
1. Escalators & Elevators
Elevators and escalators utilize pulley systems. Multiple pulleys are used
to make one elevator or escalator, and they have made our life easy.
2. Gym or Exercise Equipment

7. Pulley systems are used for the development of exercise machines. They
are used to make gym or exercise equipment’s weight lifting and
movement easier, effortless, and safe. Without pulley systems, exercise
equipment cannot operate.
3. Curtains & Blinds
Pulleys are used in blinds and curtains to pull them down and up easily.
Also, pulleys lift the curtains and drop them down in theatres.
4. Hanging Plant Pots
Pulleys hang plant pots or flower baskets with the roof or walls as you can
conveniently lower them to water or cleaning.
5. Well Bucket
Since ancient times, pulleys have collected wate r from the well. In fact,
some rural areas still use the grooved wheel, moveable pulleys to pull the
water bucket out of the well.
6. Kitchen Hangings
Look in your kitchen, and you will find different applications of pulleys
hanging around, which can be lo wered for use, for example, hanging
charts, dumbwaiters, or lights.
7. Sewing Machine Motors
To your surprise, the clothes are also made with the help of pulleys as
they are used in sewing machine motors.
8. Sliding Doors
We can easily slide the doors beca use of the types of pulleys used. Even
the garage doors have pulleys to make opening and closing effortless.
Sliding doors are mostly used as bathroom doors or for porch areas.
9. Rock Climbing Equipment
Rock climbers take the help of pulley systems to cli mb the rocks safely
and easily. Flexible material, different pulleys, grooved wheels are used to
balance their heavyweights and the direction of the force.
10. Construction Cranes

8. Laborers use crane pulleys to move extremely heavy material or objects
up and down the building. Moreover, some crane pulleys are used to
collect the debris.
11. Fishing Rod
Fishing couldn’t be possible without pulleys. The enhancement of the
grooved wheel in the fishing rod helps you catch the fish.
12. Sailing Boats
Without pulleys, sailing boats cannot move the sails or take them places.
Multiple pulleys, grooved wheels, or grooved rims are used to apply force
in a direction.
13. Washing Machine
The motors used in the washing machines use belts connected by pulleys
because they provide locomotion to move up and down.
14. Hanging Chandelier
The hanging chandelier is also made up of pulley systems, as pulleys let
you lower the chandelier easily for cleaning and repairing purposes. Both
fixed and movable pulleys are used in it.
Moreover, pulley systems are also used in analog clocks, electric fans,
clotheslines, engines, timing belts in the car, and many other things.
Pulleys significantly play an effective role in the existence of tools and
machines.
Parts of pulley
The parts of the pulley are:
• Face
• Arms
• Hub

9. • Bore

Here,
• The face contains the periphery of the pulley, and its protruding
middle part is called the crown.
• The central part of the pulley has a bore for the shaft called the
hub. It has three types further: solid hub, split hub, and slotted
hub.
• Arms join the hub and face of the pulley. The number of arms
depends on the diameter and usage of the pulley.
• A hole in the hub of the pulley is called a bore.
Advantages of pulleys
• Man-efforts are notably reduced as pulleys easily lift and down
heaving objects.

10. • They provide a mechanical advantage.
• This simple machine has changed the direction of applied force.
• They cost less and are easy to manufacture.
• One of the best things about pulley systems is that their process is
noiseless. You can drag, move or lift objects silentl y.
• The mechanical advantage of each pulley determines the force
requirements. For example, if the mechanical advantage is smaller,
more force will be required to lift a weight and vice versa.
• The pulley operator is always far or at a distance from weight o r
heavy objects, which is quite safe and beneficial. It saves them from
any trouble or disaster.
• Pulley systems require less or no lubrication after installation.
Disadvantages of pulleys
• The main disadvantage of pulleys is that they require large space to
increase their mechanical advantage.
• The risk of slipping and breaking ropes, belts, or chains is high
when they move over wheels without grooves.
• Ropes get weaker with continuous use and break anytime. If the
ropes are installed inside the pulley system, they should be checked
regularly or often to avoid machine breakage.
• The wheels, belts, ropes, or chains require constant maintenance
and regular checkups.
• A single fixed wheel pulley with a rope or belt is hard to lift heavy
objects; however, pushing objects downwards is quite easy. Man
force will be applied to lift things.

11. • The main advantage of a simple pulley system is that they can slip
because they use friction for transferring motion.
• Another disadvantage of the pulley is that they require large space
to operate and install.
• Pulley systems are not always reliable or suitable for high power
transfer.
• Multiple pulleys, wheels, and extra ropes are required to lift a heavy
object or support the weight, and it costs a lot.
Closing it up
As discussed above, the pulley is a simple machine extensively used to lift
heavyweights. There are many other fixed and movable pulleys, and their
structure, working, functions, and applications also differ. Some are
technically hard to understand, and if you have any queries about pulleys
types or examples, you can take the help of our physics tutor
anytime. Our tutors are just a click away to guide you and work on your
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