Can a Lever Class Change During Rotation?

[Bill O'Donnell]

Is it possible for a lever to change from one class to another during its rotation (e.g. it starts out as a third class lever and ends as a first class lever)?

 

[Danger]

Yes. All that is required is for the load, the fulcrum, or the force to change position. For example, if the load were to climb along the lever arm of a class 1 until it passed the fulcrum, the rig would then become a class 2. In the same manner, the leverage ratio can change at any time.