How does the crane radius affect its load capacity?

The relationship between crane radius and load capacity is critical for safe lifting operations. As the radius increases—that is, the distance from the center of rotation to the load—the load capacity of the crane decreases. This occurs because the crane's ability to lift heavy loads is influenced by leverage and weight distribution. When a load is positioned far from the pivot point, it creates a greater moment or torque around that pivot, which can exceed the crane's stability limits.

In practical terms, when a load is lifted at a longer radius, the crane must account for this increased leverage, which ultimately reduces the amount of weight it can safely lift. Therefore, operators must always be aware of the radius in relation to the load capacity specified by the manufacturer and adjust their lifting plans accordingly.