"DSK" wrote in message
| In other words, you're saying that 100# on the end of the boom supported
| by a topping lift is not the same as 100# on the end of the boom
| supported by a solid vang?
|
| OK but I'm a little confused... how does the weight know the difference?

Doug.... the weight remains the same that's not the point. The load bearing
forces between those delivered to the topping lift and the boom acts as a
"spreader"... while with the vang all the load is delivered to the boom and
the vang is subjected to the magnified loads.... in other words the load is
delivered to the vang and the leverage is delivered by the boom. That's why
I mentioned the fulcrum earlier.

When the boom is the spreader the force is compressive and much less than
the forces applied to the vang in such a situation. The topping lift bears
the entire load. The vang supports the boom distal to the load point so as
to magnify the bearing force.

Can you see the point of my argument now??

CM