Skid Steer Grapples: Considerations, Sizing and More

Like a skid steer bucket but more specialized, skid steer grapple attachments consist of a bucket with a solid bottom and usually without side cutters. Over the bucket there are usually one to two hydraulic tines that can be closed over debris in order to afford the operator better control - hence the name “grapple” bucket.

This short post will cover some of the uses for skid steer grapple bucket attachments, along with a few other considerations.

How to Choose the Size of a Skid Steer Grapple

First, let’s take a look at how to size a skid steer grapple according to the intended use.

The first and most important thing is that you get a grapple attachment compatible with your machine. Our skid steer grapples are engineered for easy cross-compatibility with most major makes and models of skid steers, but at the same time, you must get one within the appropriate rated class.

Beyond that, we make skid steer grapple buckets in sizes ranging from 60” to 96”. As a general rule, you’ll get the most versatility from a bucket that is the same width as, if not a little bit wider than your skid steer. Going narrower can be acceptable provided you don’t use the bucket to clear a path through debris; if so, a bucket narrower than your skid steer will not be able to clear a path wide enough for the tracks.

Uses for a Skid Steer Grapple

Now let’s talk about some of the practical uses for a skid steer grapple. These are among the most versatile of all skid steer attachments and can be used for many more applications in addition to the following.

• Clearing construction and demolition debris. One of the most straightforward applications for a skid steer grapple is to help around the construction site, or for use in light demolition. They’re great for materials handling as well as for cleaning up debris after demolition as well.

• Consolidating root and burn piles. For those in forestry, landscaping or agriculture, skid steer grapple bucket attachments can be indispensable for compiling root tangles and consolidating brush piles, especially before disposal or burning.

• Wrangling brush. If you need to manage a lot of brush, a skid steer grapple bucket can be your best asset.

• Disaster cleanup. If you’re a member of a road crew or a municipality, a skid steer equipped with a grapple bucket can be highly useful. They’re great for cleaning up scrap, debris, rubble, damaged bits of infrastructure and much more.

• Junkyard/scrapyard cleanup. Do you work in a junkyard? There are few skid steer attachments as versatile and practical as a skid steer grapple They’re perfect for mangled metal and other such scrap.

• Rock handling. There may be better skid steer attachments for moving large rocks and boulders, but a grapple bucket can certainly make the grade as a general purpose alternative.

• Tree and plant removal. Need to rip out a tree or a shrub, or to pull out a stump? There might be more specialized attachments but a grapple bucket is not too bad, either.

• General purpose landscaping and grading. Since they have flat bottoms, grapple buckets can be pretty useful for grading, as well as for general purpose landscaping applications, like loose material handling.

• Agricultural uses, such as hale bale management. There are better attachments for managing baled hay, such as bale squeezes, bale spears and hay accumulators, but in a pinch, a skid steer grapple sure is better than nothing.

Working in a Flooded Area? Consider a Grapple Rake as an Alternative

While skid steer grapple buckets can be great for disaster cleanup, if you’re working in a flooded area, there is a more suitable alternative: a root grapple.

Root grapple attachments offer the same basic functionality as grapple buckets, but they have slotted instead of solid bottoms.

This configuration makes them perfect for disaster cleanup in flooded areas as the slotted bottom allows water to drain through, diminishing strain on the attachment and skid steer, while also improving workflow efficiency.

This also makes them ideal for working in areas with a lot of sand or gravel, as they allow the loose material to drain through the bottom, conferring the same benefits.

Why Spartan Equipment?

This is a simple question with a simple and compelling answer: because Spartan Equipment attachments Never Surrender.

All Spartan Equipment attachments are made proudly in the United States with American steel, never with cheap Chinese imports.

Spartan Equipment skid steer attachments are also designed for widespread compatibility with most popular makes and models of skid steer loaders.

Moreover, we stand by our attachments with top-tier customer service. Let us know if you still have questions about skid steer grapple specifications or compatibility before buying. We’d be more than happy to help, and you can reach us at 888-888-1085.