system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
How do counterweights on construction cranes not tip the crane before loads are hoisted?

I know that the tipping of cranes is caused when the torque generated by the load exceeds that of the counterweight. But if a crane were to have no load attached, i.e it is preparing to pick one up and the counterweight is attached, how does it not tip in the time before any weight is able to generate torque against the counter weight?
gpt
The crane is not balanced on a single point on the ground. Without load the center of mass is close to the "back" of the crane but still between the supports. With maximal load the center of mass is closer to the "front" of the crane but still between the supports.