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Grapple Truck and Loader Service

Grapple Trucks - Important Things to Know

Track loader is a form of engineering vehicle which consists of tracked frame with loader in digging and loading objects. The legend of path loaders may be defined by means of the three evolutions of designs. All of these progressions made the loader more practical and versatile device in the excavation industry.

Grapple trucks have been profitable to many companies that need versatile equipment in lifting awkwardly heavy materials. A grapple truck is a truck with a boom attached that has a powerful hydraulic arm that is maneuvered by a joystick-like controller. This equipment is designed for heavy-duty applications and ready for extreme usage. Here are some facts about grapple trucks everyone should know.

Each Part Has a Purpose
Each of the grapple truck parts are especially designed to meet the certain operational demands.
  • Cylinders - These are generally designed to match any operating machine pressure. With larger grapple models, the bushings have the ability to self-align, the bolt-on head is designed to be cost-effective in maintenance; and heavy-duty models have a standard lock valve.
  • Rotators - With some models, the rotator is fully sealed and can be side-loading. On other models, there are extra ports available to use for saw or other replaceable accessories. Rotators are designed with full 360-degree continuous rotation. Many models are matched with the equipment's capacity and have both productive time and maximum life operational requirements.
  • Pins - These are designed without adding weight but contribute to the structural integrity of the grapple. Most pins are manufactured from heat-treated chrome. They also have a safety inter-lock system. For oversized pins, they are usually mounted on bronze bushings for lower maintenance cost.

Utility Truck Body
Most company's select utility trucks and choose the right body and tools that will fit their needs. They commonly choose removable loaders and use them when necessary. Utility trucks have been very useful for flood cleanups, construction, and forestry jobs; they are used by companies in order to save labor costs.

Operational Safety Training
Just like any other equipment, only trained personnel should be allowed to operate this powerful truck. Companies are responsible for appropriate training for safety which is very vital for efficiency and safety in accomplishing all work. There are things an operator should know about grapple truck functioning such as: hose ruptures; preventing leaks; holding a cylinder's load; safety boom alarms; and many more. Some manufacturers offer various training methods, including video, on-site or internet training as well as the user's manual.

Key Features
When getting a grapple truck, there are key features that need to be considered in selecting the right grapple attachments. The first thing to be considered is its durability - pin and bushing configurations should be thoroughly checked as well as the quality of the welds and pin tips wear-resistance. Another key feature to consider is the speed, as grapples should have a fast cycle time; this is critical for any production efficiency. Rotators and the hydraulic system should be thoroughly examined as well.

Maintenance and product support are also important features for the protection of the equipment and the purchasing company. Available maintenance will allow an owner to keep the equipment in proper shape. Product support is very helpful when a part does break down. The near-by availability of a service center would allow for rapid replacement of any broken part and a quick return to service for the vehicle.
Log loaders commonly have a boom with a hydraulic grapple attached at the end for grasping timbers.
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Types:
  • Knuckle Boom Loaderis a machine that has a hydraulic boom that resembles the knuckles of human arm or hand. The tip has an attached grapple used to clutch timber and hoist them to the transportation truck or place them directly at a temporary storage site. Furthermore, the knuckleboom can rotate 180 to 360 degrees as needed.
  • Self-propelled Log Loaderis a mobile version that has wheels to easily move while grasping timbers and has rotating grapples at the end of the boom for clutching. This vehicle can pivot in a full circle and has self-propelled rubber-tire and hydraulic outriggers for stability. 
  • The current demand now is for a log loader machine that is productive, comfortable and profitable. As a result, new and innovative features are being added to address these concerns. The technological advancements have optimized the usability of the machine while catering to various customer needs in the logging industry.
Advantages:
  • Full rotational grapples- The hydraulic grapples are able to rotate up to 360-degrees. The rotator has a greater degree of precision to meet the job requirements of the logger. The grapple is made of specialized high-tensile steel and heavy-duty bearings to produce an outstanding performance in the logging industry.
  • Long reach- The advanced boom-design technology increases the length of hydraulic boom dimension to reach considerable distances. Hydraulic booms can reach as far as 32 feet and can straighten in a full extension.
  • Durability and endurance- These vehicles are created with exceptional boom strength. They have increased loading capability and can perform tasks without breaking or damaging the boom. The boom will hold up even if it is hyper-extended to its full length without tearing. The machine responds positively to crushing and shearing force.
  • Lightweight- Most of these vehicles are made with fine-grained, high-tensile steel that creates a substantially lighter-weight yet sturdy product.
  • Versatility- This system can be folded into a compact size behind the truck or trailer to increase the payload and can be configured to work in many applications. The end tip of the boom can be modified for many job-specific applications.
  • Transportability- Today, the log loading models are designed for easy mobility as the loader is already mounted to a rubber-tired truck or trailer with outriggers for stability to prevent the truck from tipping over when hauling and hoisting timbers. The machine can move with ease from one direction to another while lifting and hauling timbers.
Benefits:
  1. Superior productivity due to faster performance of necessary tasks. 
  2. Increase capacity to load and unload timbers from temporary storage site to trucks or trailers. 
  3. Broader capabilities compared to more obsolete versions. 
  4. Larger lifting capacity as well as a loading capacity of up to 26,000 lbs in full extension. 
  5. Promotes pleasant and efficient work by being engineered to increase productivity and comfort at the working site. 
  6. Promotes safety with the use of hydraulic stabilizers to support the log loader in the best possible way. The latest feature of these vehicles are hydraulic stabilizers that ensure the safety of the operators.
The log loader truck has come a long way from the hand-rolling method that was used to move and load logs. The utilization of knuckleboom versions makes this job much more efficient and certainly less physically demanding on the logging industry.

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  • HOME
  • SERVICES
    • Tree Removal
    • Tree Trimming
    • Stump Removal
    • Cable Bracing
    • Bush Hogging
    • Tree Inventory and Tree Management
    • Grapple Truck and Loader Service
    • Land Clearing and Tub Grinder Service
    • Bucket Truck and Wood Chipper Service
    • Bobcat Work
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT US