You have a railroad-crossing barricade. What is the purpose of the counter weight?

Question

You have a railroad-crossing barricade. What is the purpose of the counter weight?

Answer 1

To balance the weight of the barrier so that less effort is needed to raise it, and lowering it is easier to control.

The usual method of raising and lowering barriers is by hydraulic ram.

Answer 2

Great question, and lover is right, it allows the moter to work not as hard, and also prevents the arm from slamming down.  Gimme another!

Answer 3

That way the motor can just rotate the barricade.  The motor can be smaller and last longer.

Think about it, how difficult is it for you to lift a child?  But how much easier if the child is sitting on a sea-saw with COUNTER WEIGHT and you basically "lift" the child with just one arm?

Good Luck..

Answer 4

it a science thing it's a simple machine a Lever

I'm not sure if a first or third class lever tho