How to win in claw machines?

The three pronged claw machine in the mall actually works, it actually grabs on to stuff and it doesn't let go. However, few people win cause the prizes are kinda heavy. Their usually one crane w/ 3 to 4 toys in the middle of the machine and their far apart from each other. I've won once and the toy is a little smaller than my outstretched hand. The head is usually twice the size of the body if that matters.