Why does the load keep swinging after the trolley stops?

The load carries on moving when the trolley stops, just as you lurch forward when a bus brakes. With only a little damping from the air, a swing takes many seconds to fade, and its length depends only on the rope: 2π√(L/g).

Does a heavier load swing differently?

No. A pendulum's period does not depend on its mass, only on the length of the rope and gravity. A heavy load is harder to move, but it swings at the same rate as a light one.

Tower Crane Operator

Run a tower crane on a building site. Hold the controls to move the trolley along the jib and the hoist up and down, latch each load and put it on its mark. The load hangs on a rope, so it swings every time you speed up or stop, and the wind pushes it too. Six sites with more loads, stacking and gustier wind.

Arcade
Free, plays in your browser
Mouse, touch or keyboard
Added 11 November 2026
#crane
#towercrane
#pendulum
#construction
#swing
#loads

0% · Getting ready

Watch a 20-second trailer

A real run of the game, recorded with captions and no sound.

How to play

Hold Trolley out or Trolley in (keys 1 and 2) to run the trolley along the jib, and Hoist down or Hoist up (keys 3 and 4) to pay out or reel in the rope. On a touch screen, hold the buttons. The blue load is the next one to move; its green dashed box is where it must go.
Lower the hook onto the load and press Latch (key 5), lift it clear, carry it across and lower it onto the mark. Release it when the centre is within the green band and it is nearly touching: dropping it from a height damages it.
The load swings like a pendulum whenever the trolley speeds up or stops, and the wind pushes it all the time. Place every load before the time runs out; you get more stars for no drops or rough landings and for finishing quickly.

Controls: mouse, touch or keyboard. Made by CalcoTools.

Tips and strategy

Do not hold the trolley button all the way: ease off early so the load can catch up, and the swing stays small.
A longer rope swings more slowly. Carry the load high, where the rope is shorter and quicker to settle, then lower it only when you are over the mark.
Wait for the swing to die down before you lower, and release when the load swings back through the middle of the mark.

FAQ

Why does the load keep swinging after the trolley stops?: The load carries on moving when the trolley stops, just as you lurch forward when a bus brakes. With only a little damping from the air, a swing takes many seconds to fade, and its length depends only on the rope: 2π√(L/g).
Does a heavier load swing differently?: No. A pendulum's period does not depend on its mass, only on the length of the rope and gravity. A heavy load is harder to move, but it swings at the same rate as a light one.

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