Return to#CounterweightSystem in the outline.

Counterweight System

 The arbor is loaded with counterweights that can be called "pigs" because they are made from "pig iron." The bottom pigs are painted yellow in our theatre and are equal to the batten weight. If the line set is unloaded the batten should be in balance with only the allotted yellow pigs. Battens with scenery will have additional pigs added to bring the line set into balance. If an empty batten is out of balance with only yellow pigs then something is wrong.

Fix it .

Tell the Technical Director or Shop Foreman.

Watch out since someone without experience has removed or added weights, and they may have done this to other line sets.

A line set that is out of balance is said to be either arbor heavy or batten heavy.

We have three sizes of counterweights:

large pigs weigh 30 pounds

medium pigs weigh 15 pounds

smallest pigs weigh about 7.5 pounds.

Return to#CounterweightSystem in the outline.