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After years of innovation, farm equipment designers have created a multipurpose grapple that efficiently accomplishes user’s trying tasks.

The hydraulic grapple rake is mounted on a dirt bucket, either by a bolt-on or welding method, and gives tractors the ability to pick up both heavy-sized loads and small materials with the same tool.

A Versatile Tool

Dusty L. Weiss, of Construction Associates of Spokane Inc., purchased the grapple for the company in June 2009, and said it’s a great modernistic tool to accomplish the company’s daily tasks.

“I recently moved debris from the company’s property,” Weiss said. “To move the material myself would have taken an unwarranted amount of time; the bucket grapple easily allowed me to accomplish this task.”

Whether agriculture or demolition work is required, Weiss said the bucket grapple is an effective solution when hoping to save money and time.

Yet, Weiss made a few recommendations on how the bucket grapple’s design could be improved.

Weiss’ 36 inch across attachment weighs almost 200 lbs., therefore reducing the amount of weight carried in each load. “Tractor users are often trying to take on more than they can easily handle,” Weiss said. “If you lessened the weight of the grapple, you could pick up heavier loads, making work much more productive and efficient.”

Improving the Attachment

AnBo Manufacturing, a company based out of Colville, WA., has recently created a new bucket grapple that can carry the weight a user desires - with poise and simplicity.

Duane S. Kaler of Chattaroy, WA, purchased his AnBo bucket grapple in April 2009, and said he is impressed by its usefulness.

“We recently bought a 41-acre spread of land and were in need of a grapple that could efficiently remove hay, brush and other small materials,” Kaler said.

For these various chores, Kaler uses his 72-inch bucket grapple as an attachment - bolted on securely.

“For removal purposes, the bolt-on method is extremely convenient,” Kaler said. “Yet, the tool is just so handy that I don’t think I could ever take it off.”

The AnBo Bucket Grapple, which can be custom-sized to most buckets, has a proprietary design with forward-raking tines that allow raking to be done in a backward and forward motion.

“No more short-hand shoveling for me - for small tasks such as these, and many more, the AnBo Bucket Grapple works great!”

Now Built for Brawn

The AnBo bucket Grapple is uniquely made of AR400, a steel with almost two time the Brinnell rating as that of T1, allowing the grapple to be lighter in weight, yet stronger. Furthermore, the grapple can now handle larger payloads without bending the tines because of the new tensile strength of the metal - 50 percent greater than T1.

Jim Gurnea, owner of a 160-acre parcel in Ione, WA., believes the AnBo Bucket Grapple’s steel is what makes it unparalleled by any other in the market.

“Whenever you maintain strength while reducing weight it’s a great thing,” Gurnea said. “Luckily, the AnBo Bucket Grapple is designed with steel that permits both.”

Gurnea previously worked for a steel company, and believes the AnBo attachment is exactly what an agriculture worker is searching for. “Although AR400 is ‘tougher steel’ for the designer to work with, it aids in creating a light weight tool with the ability to hold heavy items,” Gurnea said. “A hydraulic cylinder creates less mass to move - what a good idea!”

Furthermore, Gurnea said he has no need for a strapping or chain system with this grapple. It holds whatever I may be picking up in there nice and snug.

“Ultimately, whether it’s the middle of November or March, the AnBo Bucket Grapple is a beneficial tool to own,” Gurnea said.

To learn more, visit www.anbomanufacturing.com, or call 866-684-3330.

Tags: gardening, garden