Overhead Crane Practice Test

What does a lower spreader angle do to the tension in the load?

1. Increases the tension

2. Decreases the tension

3. Has no effect on tension

4. Weakens the load

The correct answer is: Increases the tension

A lower spreader angle increases the tension in the load because of the physics involved in how forces are distributed in a lifting scenario. When the spreader angle is lower, it means that the spreader bars are closer to a horizontal orientation. In this position, the lifting force needs to be greater to maintain the load’s stability since the components of the load's weight are shared among the lift cables. As the angle decreases, the vertical component of the tension in the lifting cables must increase to counteract the weight of the load effectively. This results in higher tension being applied to the load itself. Consequently, when managing loads, operators must be mindful of the spreader angle as it directly affects the amount of tension experienced in the lifting system, influencing both safety and operational efficiency.