First Class Lever A first-class lever has the fulcrum/pivot in the middle and the load and effort on each side of the fulcrum Examples of a first class lever Pliers, scissors, a crow bar, a claw hammer, a see-saw and a weighing balance. Second Class Lever In second class levers the load is between the effort (force) and the fulcrum. A common example is a wheelbarrow where the effort moves a large distance to lift a heavy load, with the axle and wheel as the fulcrum. Nutcrackers are also an example of a second class lever. Third Class Lever With third class levers the effort is between the load and the fulcrum, for example in barbecue tongs. Other examples of third class levers are a broom, a fishing rod, etc.