The trebuchet stands 12 feet high and is mounted to a 16-foot trailer. The throwing arm, when extended, stands an additional 11 feet taller. The trebuchet uses a variable amount of counterweight hung from a 300 pound weight hanger. Up to 40 steel barbell plates of 45 pounds each can be added for a total possible counterweight of 2100 pounds. Human power and a custom-designed winch with steel cable are used to manually crank the weight up into the air. A 10 1/2 foot sling with a pouch holds the pumpkin and is attached at the end of the throwing arm. The chucked pumpkins were all between 8 and 10 pounds.
SATURDAY 1st Throw: 639 feet
SATURDAY 2nd Throw: 722 feet
SUNDAY 3rd Throw: 929 feet
The 929 foot throw was a competition best for the team, despite the steady 35 mph headwinds the entire weekend. The team members won medals, and the Physics Club earned the $200 first prize.
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Target Shot
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Loading Pumpkin
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Making Adjustments
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Almost Ready
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Saftey Shot
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Cabling
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More Cranking
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More Cranking
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Official Shot
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