In determining lift capacity, which variables are multiplied?

• A. Height x Width x Area
• B. Length x Width x Operating pressure
• C. Length x Height x Pressure
• D. Width x Height x Length

Answer: (B)

Lift capacity comes from pressure acting on an area: force equals pressure times area. In a lifting device, the maximum load you can raise is the hydraulic operating pressure multiplied by the contact area of the lifting surface. That area is the footprint, which is length times width. So the lift capacity is calculated by multiplying the operating pressure by the footprint area (length × width). This aligns with F = P × A, where pressure times area gives the lifting force. The other options would mix in height or use an incorrect combination for area, which doesn’t reflect how hydraulic lift force is produced.