Pile-Driver with Access Ladder and Geared Hoist
One heavy blow beats many light ones; raise the ram, then release it
Leonardo draws a pile-driver reached by a ladder and, in the upper-left corner, a lifting mechanism built of toothed wheels and a drum. He observes that 100 pounds delivered in one blow strike harder than a million delivered one at a time, so the ram should be lifted by the men's weight and then let fall like a briccola or crossbow. The corner sketch carries the figures 100, 10, 1 and 10000, with the maxim that the blow's proportion should always match the thing it must strike.
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One concentrated blow beats many small ones
One hundred pounds delivered in a single blow make a greater percussion than a million delivered one at a time. The blow's proportion should always be matched to the thing that has to receive it.
Setting framed beams by dropping the ram
When setting the beams into the frame, have the blow raised into the air by the simple weight of the men. Then release it in the manner of a briccola or a crossbow, and good work will result.
Geared lifting mechanism in the corner
A cluster of toothed wheels and a drum is sketched in the upper-left corner, annotated with the figures 100, 10, 1 and 10000. It is offered as an alternative mechanical way to raise the ram.