Why a longer lever feels easier
Pro-Tip. A first-class lever is a seesaw. The fulcrum is in the middle. The longer side needs less force.
A lever is a stiff bar that turns on a fulcrum. Your push is the effort. The thing you are lifting is the load.
A longer effort arm lets you use less force. Your hand also travels farther, and the load moves a shorter distance. The work is about the same. You did not get a free lift. You traded a long, light push for a short, heavy one.
On a seesaw, balance means weight times distance from the fulcrum is equal on both sides. The heavier person has to sit closer. Ideal advantage is effort-arm length divided by load-arm length.
Worked example
300 lb sits 1 ft from the fulcrum. You push 3 ft away.
You push about 100 lb. Your hand moves 3 inches for each inch the load moves.