Excavator grabs Manufacturers online

Excavator grabs are hydraulic attachments for excavators that have been specially developed for gripping, lifting, holding and moving a wide variety of materials, thereby considerably extending the functional range of the excavator, particularly in areas such as demolition, sorting, handling and recycling.

Depending on the design, a distinction is made between different types, including sorting grabs, universal grabs, demolition grabs and orange peel grabs.

Below you will find how they work, the types and their differences, the use of excavator grabs and a brief overview of their special features and options:

How excavator grabs work:

The basic function of excavator grabs is based on the excavator's hydraulic drive system. The grabs are opened and closed via hydraulic cylinders. These cylinders are supplied with hydraulic oil directly from the excavator's control circuit, which enables precise and powerful control.

Many grabs are also equipped with an endlessly rotating rotary motor, which allows the grabs to rotate 360 degrees via a slewing gear. This enables flexible material pick-up and placement in any position without having to realign the excavator itself.

Depending on the application, the grab is either mounted directly on the dipper arm or connected via a quick coupler. It is usually operated via additional control valves and is controlled by the driver in the excavator cab.

Types and differences of excavator grabs:

There are numerous designs of excavator grabs that differ in shape, gripping force, weight, maneuverability and use:

1. Sorting grabs:
   Robust grabs with two strong shells or jaws, often with 360° rotation.
   Application: For precise gripping, sorting and loading of building rubble, wood, demolition material.
2. Demolition grapple:
   Reinforced version of the sorting grab with solid construction and high gripping forces.
   Application: For dismantling, selective demolition and breaking out concrete parts, masonry or steel beams.
3. Universal grapple / all-purpose grapple:
   Compact, versatile grapples for smaller excavators.
   Application: Ideal for landscaping, municipal applications, light sorting work.
4. Orange peel grapple (clam shell grapple):
   Grapple with 3 to 6 shell-shaped grab arms (like a clam).
   Application: For bulk goods, scrap, waste or biomass - also in port handling and recycling.
5. Timber grabs / timber handling grabs:
   Special grabs with curved, pincer-like arms for tree trunks.
   Application: For forestry, timber handling and storage yards.
6. Stone grapple / paving grapple:
   Grapples with rubberized or textured gripping surfaces for securely gripping heavy stones.
   Application: For moving kerbstones, natural stones, concrete pipes in civil engineering and landscaping.
7. Root gripper:
   Very robust tongs with steel teeth and gripper arms.
   Application: For excavating and removing rootstocks and tree debris.
8. Poly grapple / scrap grapple:
   Multi-shell grapples with long, finger-like shells "Polypform".
   Application: For loose, irregular materials such as scrap, waste, bulky goods.
9. Clamshell grabs / folding shell grabs:
   Two shells that close against each other - like a clam.
   Application: For sand, gravel, soil or other fine-grained materials; often used for backhoe work.
10. Pipe grab:
    Grabs with specially shaped arms or inserts for round objects.
    Application: For safely lifting and moving concrete pipes, manholes or steel pipes.
11. Ripper grabs / root cutters:
    Grabs with ripper teeth that tear more than they lift.
    Application: For breaking up soil structures, removing tree roots or cutting trenches.
12. Magnetic grapple (combination of grapple + magnet):
    Hydraulic grapple with integrated electromagnet.
    Application: For the safe gripping and simultaneous collection of ferrous scrap.
13. Rake grapple:
    Grapple with tines or perforated shells.
    Application: For picking up light, large-volume materials such as green waste, refuse or floating debris.
14. Grapple with integrated swivel unit:
    Grabs in which a lateral swivel movement is possible in addition to the slewing gear.
    Application: For precise positioning in confined spaces.
15. Underwater or sediment grippers:
    Waterproof encapsulated grippers with special corrosion protection.
    Application: For dredging work under water, in harbors, rivers or when clearing mud.

Use of excavator grabs:

Excavator grabs are very versatile tools and are used in numerous areas of application:

1. Demolition work:
Robust demolition or sorting grabs can be used to precisely grab, sort and load concrete, bricks, steel beams and other building materials.
The rotating movement for targeted breaking out of components is particularly advantageous.

2. Recycling and sorting:
In recycling plants and scrap yards, excavator grabs enable the efficient sorting of metals, plastics, wood or electronic scrap.
A fine gripping movement is just as important as a strong grip.

3. Material handling:
At transshipment sites, in ports or on construction sites, grabs are used when loading and unloading containers, trucks, ships or rail cars.
They grip loose or lumpy materials and enable fast throughput.

4. Landscaping and timber handling:
In landscaping, grabs are used for moving natural stones, rootstocks or plants.
In forestry, special timber grabs are used to move tree trunks or branches.

5. Pipe and stone grabs:
Adapted grabs with specially shaped jaws are used for the precise gripping of round, smooth or heavy objects such as pipes, manholes or natural stones.

Special features and options of excavator grabs:

1. 360° endless rotation: enables the material to be rotated and positioned precisely - a decisive advantage in complex sorting or demolition work.
2. Interchangeable gripper jaws: Different shapes and pads can be fitted depending on the material (e.g. rubber, steel teeth, ribbed surfaces).
3. Wear-resistant steel: Highly stressed areas are usually made of wear-resistant material such as Hardox.
4. Control system: Modern excavators are equipped with proportional control circuits so that the gripping movements can be precisely controlled.

An excavator grab considerably expands the possible applications of an excavator - it transforms the machine into a precise grabbing, sorting and handling device. Whether for demolition, recycling or on the construction site: the right choice of grabber enables more efficient, faster and more economical working methods. Aspects such as size, weight, hydraulic compatibility and type of application are decisive for successful long-term use.

Here you will find an overview of the most important criteria that you should pay attention to when purchasing excavator grabs:

When buying excavator grabs, you should consider a variety of technical, economic and application-related factors. The right choice of grapple is decisive for efficiency, durability and safety in use.

• First of all, it should be clear for which materials and tasks the grab is required.
• For example, are you grabbing scrap, wood, building rubble or stones? Are you sorting, loading or demolishing?
• A clamshell bucket is suitable for fine material.
• A polyp grab is better for scrap, waste or irregular materials.
• A sorting or demolition grab is ideal for precise sorting or demolition.
• Special pipe or stone grabs are suitable for large individual parts such as pipes or stones.
• A clear requirements analysis is the basis for selecting the right grab.
• An excavator grab must fit the machine - in terms of weight, hydraulic power and interface.
• The grab's own weight must not exceed the excavator's load capacity.
• The hydraulic supply (pressure, liter capacity, control circuits) must be sufficient and compatible.
• The grapple connection must be compatible with the existing quick coupler or attachment system.
• The controllability in the excavator, e.g. whether a third control circuit is available, also plays a role.
• A high-quality grapple is made of wear-resistant steel, e.g. Hardox, especially at stressed points such as shell edges, slewing gear or cylinders.
• When buying, you should pay attention to the following aspects:
• Clean weld seams and solid pin bearings.
• Reinforcements at typical breaking points.
• Replaceable cutting edges, gripper jaws or teeth.
• Good sealing of the hydraulic components against dirt and moisture.
• A robust design extends the service life and reduces repair costs.
• A gripper with 360° endless rotation offers significantly more flexibility when positioning the material. The slewing gear should be powerful, low-maintenance and leak-proof.
• When it comes to control, it is important whether the excavator has the necessary hydraulic control (proportional, electric, manual).
• The more finely the grab can be controlled, the better even more sensitive materials can be grabbed and sorted.
• Ease of maintenance is crucial for operating costs. The following points should be considered:
• Lubrication points must be easily accessible.
• Wear parts such as bushings, seals or blades should be replaceable and available.
• An easily accessible customer service or supplier can react quickly in the event of a fault.
• Modular systems or modular design facilitate subsequent adaptations.
• Long-term availability of spare parts is usually better guaranteed with brand manufacturers.
• Reliable manufacturers offer tested quality, CE marking, technical documentation and clear information on load capacities, contact pressure and safety.
• Test certificates, e.g. weld seam testing, material certificates, are also required for many tenders or public projects.
• An established company usually also offers better support and long-term spare parts supply.
• An attractive, easy-to-operate gripper is also an advantage for the machine operator!
• A trial run or feedback from other users can provide valuable information here.
• The cheapest gripper is not always the most economical. The following should be considered:
• Service life in relation to price.
• Service and spare parts costs.
• Energy efficiency, e.g. low leakage and low dead weight.
• Utilization of the grab in the fleet, universal grab or special device?
• In some cases, a rental or leasing model can also make sense - especially for infrequent use or for special grabs.
• A grab should be safe to operate, even with heavy or irregular material. Important are:
• Pressure retention valves that hold the load in the event of a hose rupture.
• End stops or damping when opening/closing.
• Protection against unintentional opening.
• CE certificate and compliance with applicable machine directives.
• Safety aspects are not only important from a legal point of view, but also for the protection of operators and the working environment.

When purchasing excavator grabs, it's not just about price and size, but about the right solution for the specific application. The decisive factor is the interplay of application requirements, machine technology, quality, service and long-term operating costs. If you check these points carefully, you are investing in a tool that is economical, efficient and durable.

Excavator grabs can be purchased from various suppliers. Comprehensive information about manufacturers and suppliers of Excavator grabs from all over the world can be found on Exportpages.