What makes a demolition grapple bucket different from a standard grapple or bucket?
A demolition grapple bucket combines the material containment of a solid-bottom bucket with the gripping power of hydraulic grapples, giving you two tools in one attachment. Unlike a standard bucket, the dual grapples let you securely clamp onto irregular, oversized, or awkward materials like bundled rebar, logs wider than the bucket, or mixed demolition debris. The solid bottom keeps smaller pieces from falling through during transport, which is a common problem with open-tine grapples.
This design is especially valuable on demolition sites, scrap yards, and land clearing projects where you're handling a mix of material sizes and shapes throughout the day. The curved side plates extend your clamping range beyond the bucket width, so you can grab objects a standard bucket simply can't handle. You save time by eliminating attachment changes and reducing the number of passes needed to clear a site.
Which width demolition grapple bucket should I choose for my skid steer?
Selecting the right width depends on your skid steer's lift capacity, hydraulic flow, and the type of work you do most often. The 60-inch and 66-inch models work well with compact skid steers and in tighter jobsites where maneuverability matters. The 72-inch width is the most versatile choice for mid-size machines, offering a good balance of capacity and control. The 78-inch and 84-inch buckets are ideal for larger skid steers with higher lift capacities, providing maximum material volume per cycle on big cleanup or demolition jobs.
Keep in mind that larger buckets add weight—from 900 pounds for the 60-inch up to 1,030 pounds for the 84-inch model. Check your skid steer's rated operating capacity and make sure the bucket size you choose, when loaded, stays within safe working limits. If you frequently work in confined spaces or around obstacles, a narrower bucket gives you better visibility and easier positioning.
How do I maintain the grapples and pins for long-term reliability?
Regular maintenance of the grapple pins is the key to smooth, reliable operation. The 1-inch greaseable pins should be greased every 8 to 10 hours of use, or more frequently in dusty, dirty, or wet conditions. Greasing prevents the pins from seizing and ensures the grapples open and close smoothly without binding. Inspect the grapple brackets and welds periodically for cracks or signs of stress, especially after heavy use.
Check that all bolts remain tight and that the grapples are securely attached to the 4x4-inch reinforcement tube. Keep the bucket clean, particularly around hinge points and pin areas, to prevent debris buildup that can interfere with movement. If you notice any resistance or unusual sounds when operating the grapples, stop and inspect immediately—catching small issues early prevents costly repairs later. With consistent, simple maintenance, this demolition grapple bucket will deliver years of dependable performance.
Can this grapple bucket handle frozen ground or hard surfaces like concrete?
Yes, the reinforced cutting edge is specifically designed to handle tough conditions including frozen ground, concrete, asphalt, and other abrasive materials. The 3/4-inch by 6-inch cutting edge is welded to a 1/2-inch by 5-inch backing, creating a durable, wear-resistant edge that holds up under extreme use. The four wear bars—each 4 inches wide and 1/2 inch thick—are strategically positioned to absorb impact and protect the bucket shell when you're scraping or digging into hard surfaces.
The entire bucket is constructed from Grade 50 steel, which provides superior strength and resistance to bending or cracking compared to standard steel. When the cutting edge does eventually wear down, it's designed to be replaceable, and you can opt for a bolt-on edge for quicker field replacement. This construction makes the demolition grapple bucket a reliable choice for year-round work, including winter projects where frozen ground is a regular challenge.
What types of materials can I handle with this demolition grapple bucket?
This grapple bucket is built to handle an extremely wide range of materials common on demolition, cleanup, and land clearing jobs. You can move concrete chunks, broken asphalt, rebar bundles, scrap metal, demolition debris, logs, stumps, brush piles, storm debris, and mixed construction waste. The solid bottom keeps smaller pieces like gravel, broken glass, or fasteners contained during transport, while the dual grapples securely clamp onto larger, irregular items.
The curved side plates let you grab materials that extend beyond the bucket width—think oversized logs, long pieces of lumber, or bundled pipes. Contractors use it for site cleanup and material sorting, landscapers and tree services rely on it for handling logs and brush, and scrap yards appreciate how it manages both bulky and small materials efficiently. The 30-inch depth gives you serious capacity, so you can move more material per cycle and spend less time making trips across the jobsite.
Is this demolition grapple bucket compatible with my skid steer's hydraulic system?
The demolition grapple bucket operates using your skid steer's auxiliary hydraulic system and mounts via the universal skid steer quick attach system, making it compatible with most modern skid steer loaders. Before ordering, confirm that your machine has an auxiliary hydraulic circuit—this is standard on most skid steers but worth verifying. Check your skid steer's hydraulic flow rate (measured in gallons per minute) and pressure rating to ensure smooth grapple operation.
Most skid steers provide adequate flow for reliable grapple function, but if you're running a compact or older model, it's worth confirming specs. The quick attach system allows you to mount and dismount the bucket in seconds without tools, so you can switch between attachments quickly as your workload changes. The bucket's weight ranges from 900 to 1,030 pounds depending on width, so verify your machine's rated operating capacity to ensure safe, stable operation when the bucket is fully loaded.
How does the 30-inch bucket depth improve productivity compared to shallower buckets?
The 30-inch depth gives you significantly greater material capacity per cycle, which directly translates to fewer trips and faster job completion. You can load more demolition debris, scrap, logs, or mixed materials in a single scoop, reducing the time spent driving back and forth across the site. What makes this depth especially valuable is that it doesn't obstruct your view of the cutting edge—you maintain clear sightlines for precise positioning and safe operation, even when working in tight or cluttered spaces.
The 75-degree back angle works with the depth to help material roll naturally into the bucket, so you're not fighting to fill it or dealing with spillage during transport. The 3/16-inch rolled insert adds structural strength while making cleanout easier at the end of the day—material slides out cleanly rather than sticking in corners. For contractors working on large cleanup projects or operators handling high-volume material sorting, that extra depth means measurably more productivity per hour.
What's included with the demolition grapple bucket, and are there any optional upgrades?
The demolition grapple bucket comes complete and ready to work, including the solid-bottom bucket, dual hydraulic grapples, reinforced cutting edge, four wear bars, greaseable pins, and universal skid steer quick attach mounting. Everything is fully assembled and tested before shipping. The standard cutting edge is welded in place for maximum durability, but you can request a bolt-on cutting edge as an option if you prefer the ability to replace it quickly in the field without welding.
The bucket is constructed entirely from Grade 50 steel with all reinforcements and grapple brackets already welded and integrated. Forge Claw includes free nationwide shipping with every order, so there are no surprise freight costs. The bucket is backed by a 2-year manufacturer warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship. If you have specific requirements or questions about configuration options, Forge Claw's team is available to help you choose the right setup for your operation.
How does the Grade 50 steel construction benefit long-term durability and performance?
Grade 50 steel offers significantly higher tensile strength and yield strength compared to standard mild steel, which means it resists bending, cracking, and deformation even under extreme loads and abrasive conditions. Every component of this demolition grapple bucket—from the 3/16-inch shell to the 3/8-inch side plates to the grapples themselves—is constructed from Grade 50 steel. This isn't just marketing language; it's a material choice that directly impacts how the bucket performs over years of hard use.
When you're clamping down on heavy loads, scraping through compacted debris, or handling jagged scrap metal, the high-strength steel maintains its structural integrity where lesser materials would fail. The 4x4-inch square tube reinforcement, fully welded grapple brackets, and thick side plates all work together to create a bucket that won't flex, warp, or develop stress cracks. Over the life of the attachment, this durability means lower maintenance costs, less downtime for repairs, and better return on your investment.
Why should I buy from Forge Claw instead of other distributors?
Forge Claw is a top-rated nationwide distributor specializing in Stinger Attachments and heavy equipment attachments, and we're committed to providing exceptional value and support with every sale. Every demolition grapple bucket we distribute comes with free nationwide shipping—no hidden freight charges or regional restrictions. We offer flexible, easy financing options so you can get the equipment you need without straining your budget.
Our team has deep product knowledge and real-world experience, so we can help you select the right width and configuration for your specific skid steer and the type of work you do. We stand behind every attachment with Stinger's 2-year manufacturer warranty and our own commitment to customer service. When you order from Forge Claw, you're getting a professionally engineered, American-made attachment delivered to your door, backed by a distributor that's invested in your success. That's the Forge Claw difference—quality equipment, honest service, and nationwide support you can count on.