Weight-Pulling Machines of Equal Power, with a Hydraulic Wheel
However varied, machines for raising weights yield equal power over a fixed motion; a small wheel is drawn
The note states a principle of mechanics: the infinitely varied instruments that can be devised for pulling weights will all be of equal power within the fixed, determined motion of the mover and of the thing moved. The caption records that the writing is inverted (capovolto) and names a hydraulic wheel; a small wheel with radiating spokes is drawn at the upper right. The page thus pairs a general law of machines with a hint at a water-driven wheel.
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Weight-lifting machines of equal power
However infinitely varied the instruments made for pulling weights, they will all be of equal power in the finite, determined motion of the moving cause and of the moved thing. No arrangement of the machine changes the total work over a fixed displacement.
Instruments for pulling weights
The proposition surveys the endless variety of built instruments (strumenti) that can be contrived to draw or raise weights. Their diversity of form is set against their identical mechanical power.
Sketch of a hydraulic wheel
The caption names a hydraulic wheel, and a small circle crossed by radiating spokes is drawn at the upper right. It suggests a water-driven wheel accompanying the mechanical note.