If a crane swings downhill after releasing the swing brake, what happens to the load radius?

When a crane swings downhill after releasing the swing brake, the load radius increases. This occurs because the load is moving outward as the crane rotates on its base. The load radius is defined as the horizontal distance from the center of rotation of the crane to the center of the load being lifted. When swinging downhill, gravity aids the movement of the load further away from the center, thereby increasing the horizontal distance and, consequently, the load radius.

Understanding this dynamic is vital for crane operation, as an increased load radius can affect the lifting capacity of the crane. As the radius increases, the crane may reach its maximum allowable capacity, necessitating careful management of loads to prevent instability or accidents. Thus, the correct conclusion is that the load radius indeed increases when a crane swings downhill after the swing brake is released.