Types of Excavator Grab
Selector grabs are heavy-duty sorting grabs with bolt-on hardened cutting edges, built for demolition, waste and material handling, and stone or rock. Choose a fixed grab on one circuit or a 360° rotating grab for precise placement.
Timber grabs use two interlocking arms that roll logs into the centre of the grip and hold even small limbs tight, which makes them the choice for forestry and log handling.
Folding grabs have 7 interlocking HB400 tines. They sit between a manual grapple and a selector grab, with full hydraulic control and more points of contact for logs, brash, stone and scrap.
Manual grapples use the dipper cylinder to open and close, so they need no hydraulics. They are the most cost-effective way to start grabbing on land clearance and skip sorting jobs.
Excavator thumbs mount on the dipper arm and turn your bucket into a grab, so you can dig and grab without changing attachments. Choose manual or hydraulic.
Choosing the Right Grab
- What you're handling: demolition waste and stone suit a selector grab, logs a timber grab, mixed brash and debris a folding grab
- The hydraulics on your machine: manual grapples and manual thumbs need none, most hydraulic grabs need one double-acting circuit, and rotators need a second
- Your machine's operating weight: every grab is sized by machine class
- How often you grab: a thumb suits occasional grabbing alongside digging, a dedicated grab suits material handling all day
Hydraulics and Fitting
Selector, timber and folding grabs are supplied with a headstock to fit your machine. Manual grapples come as a kit with a 3-position pad to weld to your dipper arm, and thumbs mount on weld-on pads, so allow for a competent welder. Send us your excavator make and model, hitch details and auxiliary hydraulics and we'll confirm fitment before anything is supplied. Our guide on how to measure an excavator for a new bucket shows how to take the pin measurements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best grab for a mini digger?
For the lowest cost, a manual grapple or an excavator thumb needs no extra hydraulics. For hydraulic grabbing, the 1.8–3.5 tonne rotating selector grab, 2–3.5 tonne timber grab and 2–3.5 tonne folding grab all suit mini diggers.
Do I need a rotator?
Not for most jobs. A 360° rotator lets you line the grab up with the material and place it precisely without repositioning the machine, but it needs a second double-acting circuit and adds to the cost.
Will a grab fit my quick hitch?
Hydraulic grabs are supplied with a headstock designed to fit your machine, and manual grapples connect to your machine or quick coupler once the pad is welded on. Send us your hitch details when you order.
How long does delivery take?
Usually 7 to 10 working days, as each one is confirmed to suit your machine before it's supplied. Ask us if you need it sooner.
