Farm equipment designers have now developed a multipurpose grapple that efficiently tackles user’s difficult tasks.

The hydraulic grapple rake is mounted on a dirt bucket by either welding or a bolt-on method, and allows tractors the capacity to pick up both heavy-sized loads and small debris with the same device.

An Adaptable Tool

Dusty L. Weiss, of Construction Associates of Spokane Inc., ordered the grapple for the company’s tractor in June 2009, and said it’s a great innovative tool for the company’s everyday needs.

“I recently had to remove materials from the company’s driveway,” Weiss said. “Although I could have removed it myself, it would have been extremely inefficient; the bucket grapple allowed me to quickly accomplish the task.”

Whether it’s agriculture or demolition work, Weiss recommends the bucket grapple as an efficient solution for those needing to save time and money.

Yet, Weiss made a few recommendations on how the bucket grapple’s design could be improved.

His 36 inch across attachment weighs approximately 200 lbs. – a characteristic which reduces the amount of weight carried per load. “As a tractor user, you are often looking to take on more than you can handle,” Weiss said. “A lighter grapple would improve productivity; you could pick up heavier loads if the grapple itself were lighter.”

New and Improved

AnBo Manufacturing, a company based out of Colville, WA., has recently created a new bucket grapple that can carry the weight a user desires – with poise and simplicity.

Duane S. Kaler of Chattaroy, WA, purchased his AnBo grapple in April 2009, and said he believes the attachment is very valuable.

“We recently bought a 41-acre spread of land and were in need of a grapple that could efficiently remove hay, brush and other small materials,” Kaler said.

For these various chores, Kaler uses his 72-inch bucket grapple as an attachment – bolted on securely.

“Although the bolt-on method is handy for removal purposes, I don’t ever plan to take it off,” Kaler said. “It’s just such a convenient tool.”

The AnBo Bucket Grapple, which can be custom-sized to most buckets, has a proprietary design with forward-raking tines that allow raking to be done in a backward and forward motion.

“No more inefficient manual labor for me – The AnBo Bucket Grapple works great for a variety of large and small tasks!”

Built Stronger to Hold Longer

One distinctive attribute of the AnBo bucket Grapple is that it’s composed of AR400, a steel nearly two times the Brinnell rating as that of T1, making the attachment lighter in weight, yet superior in strength. Also, the tensile strength, now 50 percent greater than T1, allows the grapple to lift heavier loads without bending the tines.

Jim Gurnea, owner of 160 acres of land in Ione, WA., said this steel is crucial in making the AnBo Bucket Grapple so beneficial and unequalled.

“Anytime you can lessen weight while maintaining strength it’s beneficial,” Gurnea said. “Fortunately, the steel AnBo designs their Bucket Grapple with permits both.”

Gurnea previously worked for a steel company, and believes the AnBo attachment is exactly what an agriculture worker is searching for. “Although AR400 is ‘tougher steel’ for the designer to work with, it aids in creating a light weight tool with the ability to hold heavy items,” Gurnea said. “A hydraulic cylinder creates less mass to move – what a good idea!”

Furthermore, Gurnea said he has no need for a strapping or chain system with this grapple. It holds whatever I may be picking up in there nice and snug.

“Essentially, whether it’s the middle of March or November, the AnBo Bucket Grapple is a useful tool to have around,” Gurnea said.

To learn more information, please visit www.anbomanufacturing.com, or call 866-684-3330.