Project- Shadoof and Levers

Shaduf or Shadoof

A shadoof is an ancient Egyptian device used for irrigation that consists of a long beam or pole balanced on a vertical support and a bucket attached to one end. The shadoof allowed farmers to efficiently and easily transfer water from a lower level source, such as a river or canal, to a higher level location such as a field or crop area. This innovation revolutionized agriculture in Egypt and had a significant impact on the society by increasing the availability of food and allowing for larger harvests. The use of shadoofs enabled the growth of settlements and societies by making it easier to feed larger populations and to cultivate previously unproductive lands. The shadoof remains an important symbol of their ancient civilization and its contributions to society .

Parts of a Shadoof

  • Fulcrum- This is the pivot point of this simple machine This is a class 1 fulcrum meaning that the fulcrum is located between the effort and load
  • Counter Weight- Acts as the effort allowing the load to be lifted with great ease
  • Lever Arm- The lever arm carries the load. The lever arm creates a mechanical advantage that allows the user to lift the water out of streams and canals
  • Load- The load for this type of application is typically water. 

To lift the load, the user will pull down on the cable and scoop the water into the container. 

The counter wieght can typically be found at the end of the lever arm. The wieght should be equal or a bit more than the wieght of the water in the bucket.

The fulcrum is located at the intersection of the support beam and the lever arm. The further the counter wieght is from this pivot point, the more power will be created making the load easier to lift. 

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