What is a critical factor for reeving to effectively increase lifting strength?

The effectiveness of reeving in increasing lifting strength is primarily influenced by the number of sheaves used in the system. Reeving is the process of routing rope or cable through a series of pulleys (sheaves) in order to gain a mechanical advantage, which reduces the amount of force needed to lift a load.

When more sheaves are introduced into the reeving system, the load is distributed across multiple lines of cable, effectively sharing the lifting effort. This can significantly enhance the crane's capacity to lift heavier loads, as each segment of the cable bears only a fraction of the total weight. Thus, the use of numerous sheaves in the reeving arrangement not only increases lifting strength but also contributes to overall system efficiency and safety.

While factors like the length of the winch cable, the type of pulley, and the angle of the boom do play roles in crane operation, they do not directly impact the fundamental principle of mechanical advantage that is achieved through the number of sheaves used in reeving.