What excavator attachment can’t your company live without?

**James** · #1 (**permalink**) 03-08-2006, 11:14 AM

Time for attachments now.

geertyke · #2 (**permalink**) 03-08-2006, 11:52 AM

I think the rotating demolition and sorting grab is one of the most usefull attachments. For sorting out the different materials and for demolition works. Especially in europe every machine from a demolition contractor has one. In america the use a fixed grapple. So changing that attachment cost a lot of time and it´s not easy to sort out different materials with that grab.

I don´t know exactly why this attachment is not so much is used in the USA compared with europe. Maybe some USA companies could explain more.

Geert

Steve · #3 (**permalink**) 03-25-2006, 07:43 AM

I totaly agree, Geert-Yke. A rotating sorting grab is a very much needed piece of equipment. Especially here in Europe you can't really work without one. I wonder if there is such a big difference in working methods between Europe and the USA.

Longreach · #4 (**permalink**) 03-28-2006, 06:50 PM

With due respect, I can't see why I would want one.

Demtok · #5 (**permalink**) 04-19-2006, 04:26 PM

I definitely agree, with a good operator the sorting Grapple can reduce manpower and time on any site handling the likes of Timber and any type of waste from the site into Skips or trucks.

Countryboy · #6 (**permalink**) 11-17-2006, 12:30 AM

My $.02, but I see it as something else to tear up. In the pic I see 4 hoses dangling, just waiting for a piece of rebar to grab them. Something else to maintain too. Maybe after using one I would like it

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Digdug · #7 (**permalink**) 11-17-2006, 03:55 AM

I had to vote for other. Dont think we could live without the thumbs. doug

blast1 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-17-2006, 02:44 PM

I believe the fixed grapple in the proper hands is the most versatile tool. I have seen too many slewing rings break on anything that rotates for demolition. DH Blattner in Minnesota has the first rotating shear from Labounty. The cutting edgea are great but the slewing ring always puked!
A bucket and thumb are another more economical tool. I demo'd an 8 story building with one and was very impressed because you can sneak between the rebar with the bucket and grab concrete with the thumb.

Wolf · #9 (**permalink**) 11-17-2006, 04:56 PM

Thumbs make the world go round. Imagine trying to do the demo without one--next to impossible and so much slower. great for grabbing and moving stuff.

blast1 · #10 (**permalink**) 11-17-2006, 05:27 PM

A thumb/bucket, I have found, are easier to replace and service than grapples. They're cheaper to replace. Hendricks has a tremendously strong bucket. If you have new teeth and cutting edges they'll last a long time. Not recommend for steel though!
Call an equipment dealer and see the difference. Most likely they will have buckets in stock but not grapples.