How is safe working load affected if the lifting hook is loaded off center?

When a lifting hook is loaded off center, it creates an unequal distribution of weight, leading to increased leverage on the crane’s components. This misalignment can reduce the effective safe working load by causing additional stress on the crane's structure, which may result in instability.

The safe working load (SWL) represents the maximum load that the crane can lift and support safely under normal operating conditions. Any deviation from the center of the load can increase the risk of tipping or overloading specific parts of the crane, such as the boom or the hoisting mechanism, which is why the effective load capacity is considered to be decreased when the load is not applied in a centralized manner. This reduction emphasizes the importance of ensuring that loads are lifted as close to center as possible to maintain safety and efficiency.