On The Level: Cat Skid Steer Loaders and the Grapple Attachment

5 Things to Know about the Cat^® Skid Steer Loader and the Cat Grapple Attachment

Learn what kind of grapple attachment you need for your Cat® skid steer loader and how to make it last longer with these helpful tips from an expert.

Kimbria Tate

Customer Experience & Digital Strategy

Published: Mar 05, 2024

That’s the beauty of skid steer loaders and compact track loaders—you’ve got flexibility. If you don’t have it, it’s pretty easy to get it.

Kevin Coleman

Senior Product Consultant

Caterpillar Inc.

Cat^® skid steer loaders and Cat compact track loaders are valuable investments, with the performance and maneuverability to accomplish tasks in the most demanding situations. These machines are designed with comfort and durability in mind, engineered with cutting-edge technology that raises efficiencies across the board.

When tight deadlines are an issue, Cat Skid Steer Loaders and Cat Compact Track Loaders are like time machines, making almost any difficult job easier to tackle. A big reason these machines are so effective is their versatility. “That’s the beauty of skid steer loaders and compact track loaders—you’ve got flexibility,” says Caterpillar Senior Product Consultant Kevin Coleman. “If you don’t have it, it’s pretty easy to get it.”

Cat attachments add value to skid steer loaders and compact track loaders. There’s almost no limit to what you can attach to your machine to dig, plane, grade, move and hammer whatever stands in the way of getting a job done. And, because Cat attachments are designed to integrate seamlessly with Cat machines, you don’t have to worry about compatibility challenges that can arise with different machine sizes, couplers and grapple bucket hydraulic hose systems.

Here are 5 things to know before you get a Cat Grapple Attachment

1. Not all grapple attachments are the same

There are many different grapple types and models. Industrial Skid Steer Grapple Rakes and Industrial Skid Steer Grapple Buckets are designed to handle bulky objects found in demolition, storm cleanup, construction, landscaping and other applications. A grapple’s hydraulic jaws work independently to make it easier for operators to grasp and pick up irregularly shaped debris. The main difference between a skid steer grapple rake and a skid steer grapple bucket is the rake is equipped with teeth to sift through soil, while the bucket scoops up everything in its path.

2. Grapple attachments are ideal for any operator skill level.

Grapples make life easier, and it doesn’t take long for an operator to gain a functional understanding of the attachment. “It’s a very easy tool to use, from an operator’s perspective,” says Kevin Coleman. “It’s literally one control—the thumb roller. It’s very intuitive. You just move a control like you would your hand.” Skid steer loaders and compact track loaders should only be operated by qualified operators, but a grapple attachment shouldn’t take long to master for most people.

Cat 242B3 Skid Steer Loader with Grapple Attachment

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Cat 262D Skid Steer Loader with Grapple Attachment

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3. Think about safety and longevity

The width of your grapple attachment can affect the longevity and care of your skid steer loader or compact track loader. When choosing a grapple attachment, you want it to cover the width of your machine. The bucket or rake will help protect the travel mechanism of the machine from the materials in which you’re working.

Be aware of your machine’s capability and what you’re trying to recover. To ensure the stability of the machine, check the rated operated capacity and compare it to the materials you will be handling. Kevin Coleman says, “You can’t pick up more than a machine can handle. You don’t want to overload it.”

There are packages that provide guarding and protection across components on the front of your machine. Because a grapple is a hydromechanical tool, hydraulic hoses need to be guarded from potential harm by jobsite elements.

4. Keep your grapple greased and clean.

One of the most important ways to keep a grapple attachment functional and productive for a long time is to tend to the grease points on a regular basis. Keep the hoses on the attachment out of the dirt, and clean them regularly. A good rule of thumb is to apply guards to the hose ends each time you remove the grapple attachment from your machine. You can couple hoses together when not in use to keep them protected, then de-couple when you’re ready to reattach the grapple to your machine.

5. You might want to try before you buy.

You’re in luck if you’re asking, “How can I find skid steer attachments for rent near me?” Many Cat dealers offer rental for attachments. This allows you to try out an attachment to see if it fits your needs. If you have friends or colleagues who work in a similar industry, see if they have a grapple attachment that fits your machine. Using a grapple attachment on a jobsite and realizing the potential of the tool will give you confidence in making a permanent purchase.

Grapple attachments can help your business evolve.

If you’ve ever watched other operators perform tasks on a crowded jobsite and thought, “I could be getting paid to do that,” then attachments are an important investment to take your business to new heights. Skid steer loaders and compact track loaders are adaptable and can evolve with your goals due to the flexibility made possible by attachments.

“Your need today might not be the same as your need tomorrow,” says Kevin Coleman. “With a grapple attachment, you can handle the land clearing and the grading, instead of letting someone else do that.” You can tailor your machine to support new tasks that help grow your capabilities. Contact your local Cat dealer to learn more about grapple attachments.

Kimbria Tate

Customer Experience & Digital Strategy

5 Things to Know about the Cat^® Skid Steer Loader and the Cat Grapple Attachment

Here are 5 things to know before you get a Cat Grapple Attachment

1. Not all grapple attachments are the same