Pulley vs. Trolley — What's the Difference?

A simple machine consisting of a wheel over which a rope or chain is drawn in order to lift heavy objects.

Used extensively in public transportation systems like streetcars or trams.

Part of a belt-driven system, especially in engines, to transmit power.

Important in applications ranging from manufacturing to medical services.

A device that can change the direction of a force, often used in combination to gain mechanical advantage.

A wheeled vehicle designed to run on tracks for transporting goods or passengers.

Often made of materials like metal or heavy-duty plastic depending on its use.

Can refer to a mobile cart used in supermarkets or industries.

Used in various lifting applications from stagecraft to ship sails.

Electric trolleys are powered by overhead cables or batteries.

A pulley is a wheel on an axle or shaft that is designed to support movement and change of direction of a taut cable or belt, or transfer of power between the shaft and cable or belt. In the case of a pulley supported by a frame or shell that does not transfer power to a shaft, but is used to guide the cable or exert a force, the supporting shell is called a block, and the pulley may be called a sheave.

A large metal basket or frame on wheels, used for transporting heavy or large items, such as supermarket purchases or luggage at an airport or railway station.

A wheel with a grooved rim around which a cord passes, which acts to change the direction of a force applied to the cord and is used to raise heavy weights.

A wheel attached to a pole, used for collecting current from an overhead electric wire to drive a tram.

Hoist with a pulley

Short for trolleybus or trolley car

A simple machine consisting essentially of a wheel with a grooved rim in which a pulled rope or chain can run to change the direction of the pull, for example to lift a load.

A streetcar.

A wheel turned by or driving a belt.

A device that collects electric current from an underground conductor, an overhead wire, or a third rail and transmits it to the motor of an electric vehicle.

One of the simple machines; a sheave, a wheel with a grooved rim, in which a pulled rope or chain lifts an object (more useful when two or more pulleys are used together, as in a block and tackle arrangement, such that a small force moving through a greater distance can exert a larger force through a smaller distance).

A small truck or car operating on a track and used in a mine, quarry, or factory for conveying materials.

(transitive) To raise or lift by means of a pulley.

A wheeled carriage, cage, or basket that is suspended from and travels on an overhead track.

A wheel with a broad rim, or grooved rim, for transmitting power from, or imparting power to, the different parts of machinery, or for changing the direction of motion, by means of a belt, cord, rope, or chain.

Chiefly British A light cart designed to be moved by hand.

To raise or lift by means of a pulley.

To convey (passengers) or travel by trolley.

A simple machine consisting of a wheel with a groove in which a rope can run to change the direction or point of application of a force applied to the rope

A trolley pole; a single-pole device for collecting electrical current from an overhead electrical line, normally for a tram/streetcar or a trolleybus.

(US) A streetcar or light train.

A light rail, tramway, trolleybus or streetcar system.

A truck from which the load is suspended in some kinds of cranes.

A truck which travels along the fixed conductors in an electric railway, and forms a means of connection between them and a railway car.

A cart or shopping cart; a shopping trolley.

(British) A hand truck.

(British) A soapbox car.

(British) A gurney, a stretcher with wheeled legs.

(Philippines) A handcar.

To bring to by trolley.

To use a trolley vehicle to go from one place to another.

To travel by trolley (streetcar, trolleybus or light train).

A form of truck which can be tilted, for carrying railroad materials, or the like.

A wheeled vehicle that runs on rails and is propelled by electricity;

There are manual, electric, and battery-powered trolleys, each suited to different environments like factories, hospitals, or public transit.

Pulleys are commonly used in construction, industrial settings, and any situation requiring lifting.

A trolley generally refers to a lighter, more versatile vehicle for goods or small-scale passenger transport, while a tram is specifically designed for public transportation on urban tracks.

A pulley is used to lift or move loads by changing the direction of force applied through a rope.

A trolley works by moving along a track, which can be powered manually or by electricity.

While primarily for vertical lifting, pulleys can be configured in systems to aid horizontal movement in certain setups.

Pulleys are often made from materials like steel, aluminum, or heavy-duty plastics, depending on their specific application.

Regular maintenance on a trolley includes checking the wheels, tracks, and power systems to ensure safe operation.

Yes, trolleys designed for passenger transport are equipped with safety features like brakes and are subject to stringent regulations.

Pulleys reduce the amount of force needed to lift a load, effectively multiplying the force applied through the rope.

Yes, a pulley is considered a simple machine as it allows the user to gain a mechanical advantage.

Electric trolleys typically receive power via overhead cables or embedded tracks with electrical conductors.

Generally, trolleys are designed to operate on tracks, but some specialized versions may be adapted for off-track use.

More complex pulley systems, like block and tackle arrangements, allow for greater load lifting with less force, but require careful setup and maintenance.

Pulleys are used in modern applications ranging from theater stage mechanisms to advanced material handling systems in industries.