What Is a Grapple?
A grapple is an attachment for hydraulic excavators used in forestry, agriculture, livestock management, and civil engineering and construction. It grabs and moves objects like trees and debris, resembling the arm of a crane game. The term grapple, mirroring the action to grasp firmly, parallels the concept of “kumiai” in wrestling.
Beyond grapples, hydraulic excavators accommodate various attachments such as buckets and crushers to meet site-specific needs through interchangeable equipment.
Uses of Grapples
Forestry is the primary industry utilizing grapples. Transporting timber manually is challenging, especially in forests with steep slopes and undeveloped roads. Grapples facilitate the movement of logs and timber efficiently.
Grapples are utilized across multiple industries, including civil engineering, construction, industrial waste collection, and timber house demolition. They perform a wide range of tasks from site cleanup to loading and unloading trucks.
Principle of Grapples
Grapples operate through the hydraulic power of an excavator, using the tongs to grip objects. Hydraulic grapples feature double-ended tongs for a broad opening, whereas mechanical grapples use a cylinder to open and close one side of the tongs.
The type with multiple tongs that open and close like petals, known as an “orange grapple”, can grasp large amounts of material simultaneously. This hydraulic model requires individual piping for each tong attachment.
A bucket grapple combines a scoop, storage, and transport function, making it a versatile choice for various applications.
Other Information on Grapples
1. High-Performance Working Machinery in Forestry
In forestry, a range of high-performance equipment is used for harvesting, transporting, and processing timber. Examples include processors, swing yarders, forwarders, and harvesters. These machines often integrate multiple functions, such as grapples with buckets or chainsaws, to enhance efficiency and reduce manpower.
2. Other On-Site Applications
Grapples, also known as “forks”, are commonly used in demolition, particularly for wooden houses. Various attachments, like large breakers (rushers) or small breakers (packlers), are employed to break down materials like rocks and concrete into manageable pieces. In the livestock industry, bale grapples handle large volumes of soft materials, such as grass and straw rolls.