A grapple can be mounted to a tractor or excavator with a movable arm that may lift, extend/retract, and move side-to-side (pivot or rotate). Some machines also have a separate control for rotating the grapple.
Simpler grapple machines consist of a hydraulically liftable fork, rake (“grapple rake”), or bucket and a movable, opposing “thumb” (one or more hooks or levers) that enclose and grip materials for lifting or dragging. A “demolition bucket” or “multi-purpose bucket” on a loader may also operate as a grapple whereby the bottom and rear side of the bucket are hinged and can be forced apart or together with hydraulic cylinders.
