1. The pruning mechanism of a pole saw is shown as it cuts a branch S.

For the
particular position drawn, the actuating cord is parallel to the pole and carries a
tension of 120 N. Determine the shearing force P applied to the branch by the cutter
and the total force supported by the pin at E. The force exerted by the light return
spring at C is small and may be neglected.
F
Two-force member: CD F

FBD of member EDF

2. The elements of a rear suspension for a front-wheel-drive car are shown in
the figure. Determine the magnitude of the force at each joint if the normal
force F exerted on the tire has a magnitude of 3600 N.
magnitudes of forces at each joint Wheel + BC

x
a
 60  FCD
a  tan 1    12.09


 280 
Bx

CD

FCD FCD By

M B  0
3600(165)  FCD cos a (305)  FCD sin a (70)  0
FCD  1898 N
Fx  0  Bx  FCD cos a  0 Bx  1856 N
Fy  0  B y  FCD sin a  3600  0 B y  4000 N
B  1856 2  4000 2  4410 N
 y
AEB

x FEF
 435 
  tan 1    65.30


 200 
Ay By
FEF
EF
 Bx

M A  0 Ax
FEF
 FEF sin  (260)  4000(350)  0
FEF  5920 N
Fx  0 Ax  FEF cos   1856  0 Ax  4330 N
Fy  0 Ay  FEF sin   4000  0 Ay  1384 N

A  4330 2  1384 2  4550 N

3. The linkage shown is used on a garbage truck to lift a 9000 N dumpster. Points A-G are
pins, and member ABC is horizontal. For the position shown, when the dumpster just fully
lifts off the ground, determine the force hydraulic cylinder CF. Roller at G is contact with the
dumpster.
 Ay

Ax

FG

FBD of dumpster

M A  0  9000(1500)  FG (600)  0 FG  22500 N

Fx  0   Ax  FG cos 45  0 Ax  15910 N
Fy  0  9000  Ay  FG sin 45  0 Ay  6910 N
 Ey
Ex

FCD
FG

FBD of member EDG

M E  0  22500(1500)  FCD (300)  0 FG  112500 N

Fx  0   E x  22500 cos 45  112500 cos 45  0 E x  63640 N
Fy  0  112500 cos 45  E y  22500 sin 45  0 E y  79549.5 N
 From equilibrium of whole system;
FCF

Ey
Ex

Bx

By

M E  0
900(1950)  E x (900 cos 45)  E y 450  (900  900 cos 45)  FCF cos 45(450)  0
FCF  118724.68 N
4. A hydraulic lift-table is used to raise a 1000 kg crate. It consists of a platform and two
identical linkages on which hydraulic cylinders exert equal forces. In the figure only one
linkage and one cylinder are shown. Members EDB and CG are each of length 2a and
member AD is pinned to the midpoint of EDB. If the crate is placed on the table, so that
half of its weight is supported by the system shown, determine the force exerted by each
cylinder in raising the crate for =60o, a=0.70 m and L=3.20 m. Show that the result
obtained is independent of the distance d.
Two-Force Members: AD, BC, CG, DH.

FBD of Platform W/2

A B 30o
C
=60o

FB FC
FAD
Fx 0  FAD x  0  FAD  0
W W W
Fy 0  FB  FC  0  FB  FC   FC   FB
2 2 2

Pulley C
FC
FBC
C Fx  0  FCG sin 30  FBC  0
F y 0  FCG cos 30  FC  0  FC  FCG cos 30

30o

FCG
FBD of CG
FCG
C

FBC
FCG  30o
sin 30 =60o
F
FCG  C
=60o cos 30
G

FCG

FBD of BC FBC
 tan 30
FC
FBC FBC
FBD of EDB

FB
B FBC
30o

=60o
1.4 m
D a
Ey 0.7 m
0.61 m FDH
E =60o
H
Ex
2 2 2
Cosine theorem: DH  DE  EH  2 DE EH cos 60  DH  2.91 m
0.7 2.91
Sine theorem:
  a  12.02o
sin a sin 60
M E  0   FDH cos 12.020.61  FDH sin12.020.35  FB 0.7   FBC 1.21  0
 0.67 FDH  FB 0.7   FC tan 30 1.21  0

FBC
 0.67 FDH  0.7FB  FC   0
 
W/2
FDH  5124.63 N
5. The mechanism is designed to keep its load level while raising it. A pin on the rim of the 80 cm
diameter pulley fits in a slot on arm ABC. Arm ABC and DE are each 80 cm long and the package
being lifted weighs 80 kN. The mechanism is raised by pulling on the rope that is wrapped around the
pulley. Determine the force P applied to the rope and all the forces acting on arm ABC when the
package has been lifted 80 cm as shown.
 SOLUTION

FBD of Platform Two force member: ED

FBD of DE

69.28 mm
 FBD of ABC

FBD of the pulley

6. A simple folding chair comprised of two identical frames, one on each side, is shown in
the figure. The half frame shown carries half the weight of a 70 kg person. Determine all
the forces acting on member BF. Neglect the weights of the connecting elements (not
shown) and the seat, and also the friction at points A, B and F.

Detail of contact at F

Dimensions in “mm”
Geometry of the Chair
 SOLUTION

Two force member: EG

Equilibrium of the whole system:

FBD of DC
GE two force member

FBD of BF