If you have been in the forestry business for some time, you probably already realize that using a standard bucket attachment for hauling debris is a messy task. Of course, you can rake the debris off the ground and move it, but doing that takes a great deal of control, a hefty amount of time and in most cases, produces unsatisfactory results.
The problem with the standard bucket lies in its design. It does well with scooping up fine debris but lacks the ability of gripping large objects, making it useless for other vital applications. Another major drawback of the standard design is that it scrapes off large amounts of top soil during raking, causing vital top soil to be lost in the process. Thankfully, there is a new attachment called a hydraulic bucket grapple that offers better performance than its predecessor.
Basic Features
The hydraulic bucket grapple operates in a fashion similar to that of a standard machine but with a few exceptions. It is made up of two major parts consisting of the upper jaw and lower jaw. These jaws are connected by two joints, one on each side of the apparatus.
The lower jaw consists of a reinforced metal scoop ideal for hauling loose materials such as soil or sand. The upper jaw is made up of several massive tines evenly lined up along the entire width of it. The addition of large tines makes it suitable for gripping cumbersome objects like rocks or logs.
A heavy-duty hydraulic ram provides the clamping power of this piece of equipment. The addition of the ram makes it easier to control while providing sufficient grip when hauling heavy loads.
As with the standard design, this machine easily attaches to a skidder or a loader with little modification required. In a forestry application, it is often used as a tractor grapple for unearthing roots and loading timber.
Key Advantages
A better design comes with some advantages. Listed below are some of the advantages this new design has over the standard design.
Versatility – The hydraulic bucket grapple is versatile enough to work on any type of material. The lower jaw can easily scoop up loose material like dirt or sand and is perfect for small clean-up operations. In addition, the large tines along the upper jaw can grip large objects such as small timber and rocks.
Efficiency – The large tines on the grapple mean it can hold a larger load. Unlike the old design, this device offers better grip and control so objects are less likely to fall off, helping complete the job a lot faster.
Reliability – The tines are constructed from AR 400 steel, which is twice as strong as yet lighter than T1 steel. The result is a reliable bucket grapple that has high resistance to bending and wear.
The hydraulic bucket grapple is indeed a useful tool in the forestry and farming industries. Let this tool help you get a grip on your debris-scooping problems!
Christopher Hunter is an expert in commercial specialty trucks. If you are interested in learning more about Grapple Trucks, go to the main website of First Fleet as shown in the link below.
