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Copy and Paste This Permanent Link:http://www.gradingandexcavation.com/buyers-guide-2010/site-preparation-attachments.aspx

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Photo: Allied Construction

As any grading and excavation contractor who’s ever operated an excavator or skid-steer knows, more than just dirt often needs to be displaced. Typically, trees, roots, rocks, concrete, or steel—or all of the above—must be cleared to make way for a hole or subgrade. These additional materials present an opportunity for greater profitability.

Site preparation, which might otherwise be delegated elsewhere, can allow the grading and excavation contractor to earn more revenue on a project and keep expensive equipment operating for longer periods. Two attachments that facilitate entry into the site-preparation realm are shears and grapples.

Shears are scissor-like tools that cut through wood, steel, or concrete. Grapples are more versatile, because not only can they rip out many of these materials that are embedded in dirt, but they also handle debris and allow the operator to relocate and even stack it in some cases. Often, grapples will be used to complete work that has been done with shears, or grapples are used for both tear-out and relocation. The handling ability of grapples also enables separation of mixed material—something that buckets cannot achieve.

Blue Diamond Attachments, in Knoxville, TN, provides insight into the versatility of grapples. Grapples for such equipment as skid-steers, compact wheel loaders, and crawler loaders can tear roots out, shake the dirt out of the roots, and gather them into bundles. The ability to shake the dirt out is critical, the company maintains, because clean roots can then be placed into a tub grinder or burn pile. Besides handling roots, grapples suit the collection of limbs and logs, and they are even used to lay pipe. Grapples have become almost a necessity for contractors who own skid-steers, according to Blue Diamond.

When deciding on models of grapples and shears to purchase, contractors should realize that some design variations exist. Geometry is very important in a grapple, according to Blue Diamond. Grapples that are very upright can be difficult to push into the ground given the angle at which they are deployed. Independent top clamps, which are available on Blue Diamond grapples, provide an advantage over one-piece grapples because uniformly shaped loads are rare and loads with uneven shapes have been known to rotate within one-piece grapples. For shears, strength is critical. Wood shears should be designed with a component that holds the wood so as to prevent the scissor mechanism from kicking backward.

Several manufacturers offer grapples and shears that give the grading and excavation contractor the capability of moving more than just dirt.

Photo: Bobcat A Bobcat S185 skid-steer applies its attachment to a pile of construction-and-demolition debris.

The patented MT Series Multi-Tool from Allied-Gator Inc. comes in 11 sizes ranging from 800–52,000 pounds and reportedly can accommodate any size carrier from skid-steers and compacts to mass excavators for use in structural steel and concrete demolition applications. Patented Allied-Gator Quick-Change Jaw Sets are designed to facilitate easy transitions from structural steel processing to concrete reduction. Switching in the field is said to be possible in 15 minutes, enabling a single machine to perform all shearing, cracking, and crushing applications with maximum effectiveness.

The manufacturer constructed the main shaft area of the MT Shear Jaw Set to not overheat and to remain ambient, even with extended use. It is also designed to reduce friction and heat buildup to all components to minimize overall maintenance and tool wear while maximizing blade life. It is configured to flatten scrap and leave open ends on pipes, resulting in a higher quality of prepared material. The cylinder is completely enclosed within the tool’s main body at all times for protection. According to the company, the tool never requires shaft removal or hub adjustments and features a durable four- or eight-way indexable cutter and wear blades. The tool’s sculpted shape and fixed centerline closure are intended to improve operator visibility and accuracy. Each replaceable tip is an independent component of the tool and provides users with the ability to change between disposable tips (sizes MT 15–MT 180) and solid tips (available for all
MT sizes).

The patented Power-Link and GuideSystem links the tool’s fully enclosed cylinder to a pair of levers, efficiently powering the tool and delivering a continual power gain throughout jaw closure, according to the company. Other work-tool features include unrestricted 360-degree rotation, fixed centerline closure, and patented Speed-Circuit Technology.

The MT Cracker/Crusher Jaw Set has a variety of bolt-on tooth segments that reportedly interchange in less than five minutes. It has a 90-degree jaw opening its crusher tooth de-rods and pulverizes concrete in one bite, allowing contractors to demolish structures and process materials simultaneously. The tool also can be used to gather, separate, and sort onsite materials. The finish tooth is designed to send a clean, flat, controlled crack through concrete. A cracker tooth enables maximum penetration to solid and heavily reinforced concrete and dense rock.

According to Allied Construction Products, its Contractor’s Mechanical Grapple is mounted in place of the excavator bucket and operates off the bucket cylinder with no additional hydraulic requirements. The company says the tool allows the operator to rip and tear down structures in a controlled environment, pick and place materials precisely, sort and separate materials, and load bulky materials fast and efficiently.

The attachment is constructed with a design strength intended to withstand the full breakout force of an excavator on a single tine. Design features that have been incorporated to provide high strength include thicker exterior plates; thicker, stronger lugs on both the upper and lower jaws; uniformly sized tips made with tempered steel; complete internal reinforcement; a high-strength connection between the stiff arm and lower jaw; a heavy-duty mounting pad design; and a specially designed stiff arm cut from solid plate steel.

Pin-and-boss kits, which are configured to provide greater interchangeability from machine to machine in the same weight class, are available for all common carriers. Mechanical Grapples are available for excavators ranging from 30,000 to 140,000 pounds. The attachment is constructed for denser loading capabilities. The wear tips of the fully closed grapple create a large, flat surface that is intended for improved compaction of loaded material.

Applications include residential, commercial, and industrial demolition; quick extraction of tree stumps and land clearing; quick loading of crushers or shredders; and precise pickup and placement of riprap and shot rock without damage to haul trucks.

Photo: Atco Equipment The extreme-duty root grapple from Blue Diamond Attachments is an exceptionally rugged tool.

The extreme-duty root grapple from Blue Diamond Attachments is a highly rugged tool. The tool is engineered with geometry, half-inch steel, and robotic welding designed for strength and effective use on the largest skid-steers. The pivot pins are 1.25-inch steel in bushings with grease fittings and the heavy-duty cylinders are enclosed in steel boxes for protection. All hoses are run internally on the grapple and protected in an abrasion sleeve where they exit the grapple. Flat-face couplers are included.

The Tree Shear from Blue Diamond Attachments uses a 5-by-12-inch cylinder to produce 29 tons of cutting force at 2,500 psi and cut up to 12 inches in diameter. The cutting head rotates 90 degrees to allow both horizontal and vertical cutting. The blade has a 1-inch-thick T1 steel cutting edge, and the tool is designed to provide high visibility.

Bobcat Co. manufactures different kinds of clamps and grapples for compact excavators and loaders. On excavators, hydraulic clamps (thumbs) can be used with a three-tine grapple. According to the company, using a clamp on a compact excavator can allow operators to reach areas other machines either cannot access or have difficulty accessing. The reach of the excavator’s boom and arm provides it access to areas that other equipment cannot access and allows the excavator to be more selective in picking the objects that are moved. Additionally, debris and material can also be moved without moving the machine, notes the manufacturer. The company also offers a rotating grapple for excavators. This work tool has 360-degree rotation and is best suited for contractors who not only need to move material but also need to place it in a specific position.

The manufacturer also has several types of grapple attachments for compact loaders. The most common type is an industrial grapple. These can be used for such applications as clearing brush, clearing broken concrete, or moving scrap metal and other waste materials. The company’s industrial grapples range in size from 48 to 80 inches. Root grapples are another type of grapple that grading and excavation contractors may find suitable for site preparation. A root grapple is a heavy-duty attachment that clears roots, rocks, and debris from the ground. The curved, skeletal teeth pick up material without driving into the ground, allowing dirt to fall between the teeth and stay in place if necessary. The manufacturer’s root grapples are available in sizes from 48 to 82 inches.

The multipurpose grab for excavators from 18- to 27-ton operating weights can move and position natural rocks and handle filling material, says Kinshofer. The company adds that the tool expedites loading, sorting, digging, and demolition and eliminates the need for separate attachments for these various tasks. The grab is designed with a fully integrated rotator protected from external forces and hydraulic hoses and cylinders.

The rotator is fixed at four points to withstand external forces and a pressure-relief valve is included to ensure overload protection, with connecting hoses located inside the hub. Rigid mounting at the tilting joint of the bucket cylinder of the excavator is intended for precise positioning and working. Bolt-on teeth are also exchangeable onsite. The use of 500 HB steel in the construction of cutting edges is incorporated for long life.

Kinshofer’s Heavy Duty (HD) Demolition and Sorting Grab is designed for excavators from 15-to 24-ton operating weights that are used in heavy demolition. This tool is designed for demolition and segmentation of various building materials, as well as separation of building debris and similar material and large scrap. The fully integrated rotator and the connections are located within the hub for optimal protection against external forces and optimized transmission of force. A second heavy-duty motor is optional. The robust Delta-Box frame with dust-proof axle bearing points is included to provide additional stability and long life. Two strong hydraulic cylinders manipulate robust shells. The tool’s bearings are designed for secure transmission of high closing forces and hydraulically cushioned cylinders are incorporated to provide a smooth
opening.

HD D Series multipurpose grabs with perforated shells are also available for excavators from 15- to 70-ton operating weights. These models feature durable and reversible cutting edges made of Cracox Plus 450 that can be used to pick up different materials with their tips. The cutting edges on D19 and higher models can be turned three ways, a design intended to reduce replacement costs.

Photto: Kinshofer North America The Dedicated Shear from Kinshofer North America features 360-degree rotation.

Photo: Allied-Gator Allied-Gator’s MT Series Multi-Tool includes an MT shear jaw set and a cracker-crusher jaw set.

The company’s Dedicated Shear XS 7000 is constructed with high strength for scrapping. Depending on the mounting, it can be used on excavators with 42- to 60-ton (boom) or 60- to 80-ton (dipper) operating weights. The tool is designed for cutting concrete or steel easily. The housing is designed to be extremely robust, using wear-resistant, fine-grained steel.

The Dedicated Shear is equipped with 360-degree endless rotation, and dimensioned bearings reduce wear at the bushings. The main cutting blades can be turned four times for cost efficiency. A greaseable pivot point is designed to compensate against distortion forces. The cylinder is mounted upside down for better protection of the piston rod within the housing.

The manufacturer’s XS Series Dedicated Shears with 360-degree rotation are designed to be the most agile in its line of dedicated shears. They are equipped with 360-degree rotation and suitable for excavators from 10 to 90 tons, depending on boom or dipper mounting style. Large, heavy-duty bearings reduce bushing wear, and the housing is made of wear-resistant, fine-grained steel. The main cutting blades are reversible.

Spencer, NY–based Northeast Implement, a large dealer of work tools for construction and forestry equipment, offers Valby grapples for mini-excavators. These tools have quick couplers that allow mini-excavators to be easily converted into machines that perform log loading, landscaping, and land-clearing tasks.

Northeast Implement also has Valby Unigrab Grapples, which have a two-prong jaw on one side and a single-prong jaw in the other. When open, the jaw’s shape allows it to penetrate well into piles of brush, scrap material, pulpwood, and construction debris. The tools, which open to 36 and 52 inches, also suit log handling.

The heavy-duty Box-Design Demolition Grapple from Werk-Brau Co. is specifically designed to handle various objects of different sizes of debris, including brush and rocks. A single grapple can be used with a bucket, and dual grapples are also available. Although it is not recommended for digging or prying, the tool is constructed of high-strength steel throughout the weldment.

The coupler is available for all makes and models of hydraulic excavators and most models of mini-excavators, according to the manufacturer. Various widths and models are available, and the attachment also can be designed to adapt to a Werk-Brau mechanical or hydraulic coupler.