Log Grapple for a Skid Steer - A Helper for Timber Yards and Forest Hauling

In short: A log grapple is a hydraulically closing grapple that grips a log, firewood stack or brush bundle at once and holds it in place while moving. It's faster and safer than lifting individual logs by hand or spearing them one at a time.

What is a log grapple and how does it work?

The grapple consists of a frame and one or more hydraulic claws that close around the material. Some grapples also have a lower "scoop" or base that helps lift the material and hold more at once.

• Secure grip: logs and branches of different thicknesses stay in place while being moved.
• Speed: several logs or a firewood stack can be moved at once, rather than one at a time.
• Versatility: suits handling fresh forest material, firewood and brushwood alike.

See the range on our skid steer log grapples page.

Who is a log grapple suited for?

• Firewood producers and sellers: for storing and loading wood for customers.
• Smaller forest hauling and storage companies: moving logs at the yard before onward transport.
• Farms and gardens: clearing hedge trimmings, branches and smaller amounts of forest material.

What should you think about before buying?

• Opening width: must accommodate the typical log quantity or stack width you usually move.
• Hydraulic requirement: the grapple needs auxiliary hydraulics on the machine to close the claw - check it's available and powerful enough.
• Mount compatibility: the grapple must match the machine's quick-attach, see our loader mounts.
• Load capacity: thicker logs are heavier, so the grapple and machine must handle that load.

Log grapple versus other attachments

If you're mainly dealing with thick, heavy trunks or root balls, it's worth looking at solutions built for stump removal too, such as a stump grapple. For larger forest hauling operations that also use a tractor with a front loader, a similar option is available on our tractor log grapple page.

We'll help you choose

Tell us what thickness of material you typically move and how much hydraulics the machine has. We'll recommend the right grapple size. Get in touch via our contact page.