The weight limit for prizes in a standard toy crane machine typically ranges from 100 to 300 grams (approximately 3.5 to 10.5 ounces). This carefully calibrated limit serves multiple purposes: it maintains game challenge while ensuring the claw mechanism can successfully lift prizes when properly positioned. Several factors influence this capacity, including the machine's specific design, claw type, prize density, and operator settings. Most cranes feature adjustable strength settings that operators can modify to control difficulty. Lighter items like small plush toys or bouncy balls sit at the lower end of this spectrum, while denser objects like rubber balls or keychains approach the upper limits. Understanding these weight parameters can significantly improve your winning strategy, as properly balanced items within the machine's capacity are easier to retrieve. Modern machines often include sensors that detect when a prize is too heavy, automatically releasing the claw to prevent damage to the mechanism. For the best results, look for moderately weighted prizes that aren't tightly packed against heavier items, and always observe the machine's performance before playing to gauge its current strength settings.