The Table above includes the ideal mechanical advantage of each class of lever. The mechanical advantage is the factor by which a machine changes the input force. The ideal mechanical advantage is the increase or decrease in force that would occur if there were no friction to overcome in the use of the machine. Because all machines must overcome some friction, the ideal mechanical advantage is always somewhat greater than the actual mechanical advantage of the machine as it is used in the real world.
James lives out on the country, He wants to gather some water from a well out from behind his house. When he gets there he realizes that the wheel on the lever that pulls up the bucket is rusted which adds more friction. He decides to oil the wheel to reduce the friction.

Will the ideal mechanical advantage on the lever always be less than or greater than its actual mechanical advantage?