No one can beat the power of a grapple truck when it comes to log and bulky waste hauling. These vehicles are equipped with a powerful mechanical claw that can grasp the material with ease and efficiency. With the latest technological advances, it is very useful for various industries in terms of loading and hauling heavy material. Finding a truck that is well-suited for a company begins by examining the needs or nature of the business. Once that has been determined, consideration needs to be given to some of the vehicle’s important components such as the attached hydraulic grapple, boom arm, trailer, and engine. Knowing about these parts can help a company get the vehicle most suited for their business.

Hydraulic Grapple

The hydraulic grapple is the most important component on the vehicle. It provides an effective answer to moving, hauling and unloading logs as well as bulky material with great precision and speed. There are two types of grapples for this vehicle: the claw and clam shell. The claw version, or bypassing, is ideal for log-loading while the clam shell version is better for bulky waste collection or storm clean-up. In addition, the grapple set-up or degree of rotation needs to be considered. Some types have rotators that can allow a 360-degree continuous rotation, while others do not have this feature.

When looking for the right clamp, it is imperative to check its durability. The quality of the pins and bushings should be inspected carefully along with the welding. Many manufacturers today can deliver customized hydraulic grapples in different sizes and specifications suitable for the varying needs of the customer.

Hydraulic Boom Arm

This arm is also known as the hydraulically-powered, articulated boom arm and is mounted on the truck’s chassis. The latest technological advances have allowed this feature to be developed in a wide array of choices of the boom type. The knuckle, telescopic, and Z-type offer a retracted position for easy keeping. Always check the reaching and pay-loading capacity of the arm so that it is appropriate for the application to ensure maximum functionality. Since the aerial lift arm can be mounted anywhere on the chassis, it is imperative to decide if it will be bolted behind the cab or at the rear of the vehicle, each location offering different advantages.

Truck Body

With the latest designs and transformations, selecting the right dump body is essential. For debris clean-up, the box-type body system is ideal; for log loading, the hayrack-stakes body system is essential. The multiple sets of bunks are very efficient in log hauling; however, the decision on which type to purchase usually depends on each company’s individual application.

Engine Selection

Prior to purchasing grapple trucks, the engine should be given careful thought, especially the one that powers the aerial lift arm. The current options on the market include the conventional diesel engine or hybrid type for better fuel efficiency and a more eco-friendly performance.

Finding the right truck to match a particular business application is difficult without adequate prior research. In order to make the best decision about the various options and features, it is essential to gather related information about grapple trucks. Researching the facts about the hydraulic clamp, articulated lift arm, body system, and type of engine will help a business owner find the most appropriate log loader or debris loader for their operation!