Spring Rate - Spring Load - Load Rate

What you are about to read is the gospel and anyone who says otherwise is a know-it-all who knows nothing.

(all disagreements can be sent to Mike, 3rd generation spring maker with nearly 30 years experience, all ridiculous arguments will be listened to)

RATE - Half the difference between the loads 1 Inch above and 1 Inch below a specified position.

Or put an easier way, it is the amount of weight required to deflect a spring 1 Inch.

The lower the rate, the softer the spring.

LOAD- The amount of weight on the spring.

LOAD RATE- The amount of weight a spring is designed to be supporting at a certain height.

Load Rate and Rate are not interchangeable terms.

Now let's put what you just learned to use.

A spring which is designed with a free arch of 6 Inches and a loaded height of 1.25 Inches when supporting 600 lbs would have a Load Rate of 600 Lbs. and a Rate of 126 Lbs.

6 Inches free height minus 1.25 Inches loaded height = 4.75 Inches of deflection

600 Lbs. divided by 4.75 Inches of deflection = 126 Lb. rate

Learn more about spring terms on our Leaf Spring Measuring Page.