NEIEP Mechanics Practice Exam

If you have a 3500 lb car rated at 4000 lb capacity, how much should the counterweight assembly weigh for a normal 40% install?

1. 4000 lbs

2. 4500 lbs

3. 5100 lbs

4. 6000 lbs

The correct answer is: 5100 lbs

To determine the appropriate weight for the counterweight assembly during a normal 40% install, we first need to consider the capacity and weight of the vehicle as well as the installation parameters. The car weighs 3500 lbs and has a capacity rating of 4000 lbs. When calculating counterweights, it's important to ensure that the total weight will be balanced appropriately, with the counterweight meeting a certain percentage of the load being carried by the system. In this scenario, a 40% install implies that the counterweight should compensate for approximately 40% of the total capacity being utilized, which is key to ensuring stability and safe operation. To calculate the necessary counterweight weight: 1. Start with the rated capacity of the car (4000 lbs) and multiply it by the 40% install factor: - \( 4000 \, \text{lbs} \times 0.40 = 1600 \, \text{lbs} \). 2. Now, add this counterweight to the actual weight of the car. This means we should add the car's weight of 3500 lbs to the calculated counterweight: - \( 3500 \, \text{lbs} + 1600 \, \