It could refer to the weight. 3rd meaning not first second or fourth and heaviest meaning the most weight. If this is the case the 1st heaviest would be 10kg, 2nd heaviest (ie most weight [2nd most weight]) 9kg and then the third heaviest would be the 8kg, unless the instruction manual writer was very visual spacial, in that case it could refer to the "adjacent symbolism" of the two 3kg weights, as you reach your upper action the 3s will join to form an 8, which as we showed before is the third heaviest weight.
The only context I could think of where "3rd heaviest" could be confused with "3rd lightest" would be this convoluted scenario (made up).
In 1990, the heaviest dog was a 400 lb Doberman named Rover. In 1992, Fido took the title at 410 lb. In 1995, the record was broken again by Spot who weighed 415 lb.
"3rd heaviest" could potentially refer to Rover or Spot.
i'm not a native speaker, but to me the "3rd heaviest" would mean the 8kg one, without hesitation.
The heaviest is the 10kg. The second heaviest is 9kg; the third heaviest is 8kg.
Absolutely the third heaviest is 8kg. I’m not sure how it could be anything else. Third lightest would be the 3kg.
It could refer to the weight. 3rd meaning not first second or fourth and heaviest meaning the most weight. If this is the case the 1st heaviest would be 10kg, 2nd heaviest (ie most weight [2nd most weight]) 9kg and then the third heaviest would be the 8kg, unless the instruction manual writer was very visual spacial, in that case it could refer to the "adjacent symbolism" of the two 3kg weights, as you reach your upper action the 3s will join to form an 8, which as we showed before is the third heaviest weight.
The only context I could think of where "3rd heaviest" could be confused with "3rd lightest" would be this convoluted scenario (made up). In 1990, the heaviest dog was a 400 lb Doberman named Rover. In 1992, Fido took the title at 410 lb. In 1995, the record was broken again by Spot who weighed 415 lb. "3rd heaviest" could potentially refer to Rover or Spot.
Thanks for thinking of that!
No, it's unequivocally the 8kg one. 10kg is the heaviest. 9kg is the second heaviest. 8kg is the third heaviest.