If you have a heavy load to lift, using a series of pulleys and a rope, otherwise known as a block and tackle, will give you a mechanical advantage roughly equal to the number of pulleys used. A tackle with one pulley provides little advantage for lifting, but add a second pulley and it will cut the force needed to lift an object in half.

Step 1: Proper block and tackle systems use a fixed block and a movable block. The term “block” refers to the pulley housing, and the pulley wheel is called the “sheave.” Secure the fixed block, or top pulley, on a beam or support strong enough to hold the weight to be lifted.

Step 2: For a two-pulley system or gun tackle, secure one end of the rope to the bottom of the fixed block or to the support the block is attached to.

Step 3: Thread the secured line, or dead line, through the sheave of the movable block, or lower pulley.

Step 4: Bring the rope back up and thread it through the sheave of the fixed block.

Step 5: The remaining rope is referred to as the hauling part. Secure the item to be lifted to the bottom of the movable block and pull the hauling part of the rope to lift the object to its desired destination.

Step 6: A third sheave can be added to the system to create a luff tackle and reduce the amount of force needed to lift a heavier object by two-thirds. To accomplish this, attach a block with two sheaves to the beam or support.

Step 7: Attach the dead end of the rope to the movable block and thread the rope up and over the first sheave in the fixed block.

Step 8: Bring the rope down and thread it through the movable block.

Step 9: Bring the rope back up and thread it through the second sheave in the fixed block.

Step 10: The loose end of the rope is now the hauling part and the lines stretched between the fixed block and the movable block are referred to as fall lines.

Step 11: Secure the object to be lifted to the bottom of the movable block and pull the hauling part of the rope to lift the item to its desired destination.