Wouter,

You can't keep writing purchases a 1:x unless you are talking about an inverse purchase system. The standard nomenclature has the advantage shown FIRST.

8:1, 4:1, 6:1, 12:1 etc.

by writing 1:9 you are in effect saying that for every 1lb of effort applied at the load you need to apply 9lbs - usually bloody hard work!!!