A grapple fork (also known as a grapple fork or fork-type grapple) is a highly practical and versatile attachment for wheel loaders. It incorporates a retractable gripping mechanism in addition to a traditional fork. Its functions, advantages, and features are as follows:
Main Function
Grabbing Irregular Materials
The core function is to use hydraulically driven grippers (typically double or multi-petal) to grab irregularly shaped or loose materials such as wood, steel, pipes, scrap metal, straw, and branches, solving the problem of traditional forks struggling to stably handle such items.
Loading, Unloading, and Transferring
Combining the load capacity of the fork and the gripping force of the grippers, this allows for efficient material loading, unloading, short-distance transfer, and stacking. Examples include handling logs at lumber mills, handling construction waste at scrap yards, and transferring straw bales in agriculture.
Precise Operation Control
The hydraulic system adjusts the gripper’s opening and closing angles and gripping force to accommodate materials of varying sizes and weights, achieving precise handling with “light grip without damage, heavy grip without loss.” This makes it particularly suitable for handling delicate or valuable materials such as finished lumber.
Assisted Cleaning Operations
In site cleanup and debris management, this device can grab scattered debris, bricks, weeds, and other debris, replacing manual labor or the need for specialized equipment, improving cleanup efficiency.
Key Advantages
1、High Versatility
Combining the load capacity of a forklift with the gripping power of a claw, this device can replace multiple tools, such as forklifts and log grabbers, reducing equipment investment and changeover time. It is particularly suitable for small and medium-sized operations.
2、High Efficiency
The claw’s quick opening and closing and stable grip significantly reduce the risk of material drops, improving efficiency by over 30% compared to manual handling or traditional tools.
Adaptable to Complex Working Conditions
It is highly compatible with material shapes and sizes, ensuring stable gripping of materials, whether they are long strips (such as steel pipes), blocks (such as stone), or loose fragments (such as scrap metal). It is suitable for a variety of applications, including construction sites, farms, and recycling stations.
3、Reduced Labor Costs
No manual assistance is required to secure the material; a single person can complete the entire process of grabbing, handling, and unloading, reducing labor reliance and reducing safety risks (e.g., avoiding injuries caused by manual lifting). Easy Installation
Most fork grabs feature a quick-change design, allowing for quick connection to the loader’s standard mounting bracket without requiring complex modifications. Changing attachments typically takes less than 10 minutes.
Features
Flexible Structural Design
Grippers are typically constructed of high-strength steel, offering wear resistance and a strong load-bearing capacity. Some models offer adjustable gripper spacing or angle to accommodate varying material sizes.
Precise Hydraulic Drive
Powered by the loader’s built-in hydraulic system, the gripper’s opening and closing speed and gripping force can be precisely controlled via the joystick, ensuring smooth operation.
In short, Grapple fork’s “fork + grab” combination design makes loaders more efficient and flexible when handling irregular materials. It is an ideal accessory for improving equipment utilization and operating economy, and is widely used in construction, forestry, agriculture, waste recycling and other fields.
If you interested this, please contact us!
