If you run a skid steer or compact track loader, you already know this: the right grapple makes or breaks the job.
But with so many options out there, it’s easy to buy the wrong one. Scrap, rock, tine, skeleton, IGR. They sound similar, but they’re built for very different tasks.
This guide breaks down each grapple type in plain language so you can choose the right attachment for your work. If you’re comparing options for your machine, this will help you decide what actually fits your jobs, not just what looks heavy duty.
What Is a Grapple Attachment?
A grapple is a hydraulic attachment for skid steers and track loaders that uses a clamping lid (or lids) to grab, hold, and move material.
Common uses include:
- Land clearing
- Demolition cleanup
- Moving logs and brush
- Handling scrap metal
- Sorting rocks
- Construction site cleanup
The difference between grapple types comes down to tooth design, spacing, weight, and intended material.
Let’s go through them one by one.
1. Scrap Grapple
A scrap grapple is built for demolition and metal handling.
Best For:
- Scrap yards
- Demo debris
- Twisted metal
- Concrete chunks
- Heavy, irregular materials
Key Features:
- Thick steel construction
- Reinforced side plates
- Tight tine spacing
- Strong clamping force
Scrap grapples are designed to take abuse. If you’re loading broken concrete with rebar sticking out, hauling steel beams, or cleaning up after demolition, this is the tool.
They’re typically heavier than other grapple types. That added weight means durability, but it also reduces your machine’s lifting capacity slightly.
Choose this if: Your primary work involves demolition or scrap handling.
2. Rock Grapple
A rock grapple is designed to separate dirt from rock while grabbing larger material.
Best For:
- Rock removal
- Land clearing
- Construction prep
- Field cleanup
Key Features:
- Wider spacing between tines
- Open bottom for sifting soil
- Strong bottom support bars
The spacing between the tines allows soil to fall through while retaining rocks and debris. That makes it ideal for clearing land without hauling away unnecessary dirt.
Compared to scrap grapples, rock grapples are optimized for sorting rather than pure strength against metal and concrete impact.
Choose this if: You need to pick rocks out of soil efficiently.
Tine Grapple
A tine grapple focuses on grabbing brush, logs, and loose organic material.
Best For:
- Brush piles
- Tree limbs
- Storm cleanup
- Logging debris
Key Features:
- Longer, curved tines
- Lighter frame
- Excellent visibility
Tine grapples penetrate piles easily and clamp down on irregular loads like branches and logs. They’re not built for heavy demolition, but they excel at organic material handling.
Because they’re lighter, they allow your machine to lift more material overall.
Choose this if: Most of your work involves brush, logs, and vegetation.
Skeleton Grapple
A skeleton grapple is built for sorting and screening material.
Best For:
- Separating debris from soil
- Construction cleanup
- Sorting mixed material
Key Features:
- Open ribbed bottom
- Strong frame
- Designed for shaking and screening
The open design lets fine material fall through while retaining larger debris. Think of it as a hybrid between a bucket and a grapple.
Skeleton grapples are common in landscaping and site prep where material separation is important.
Choose this if: You frequently need to sift and sort material on site.
IGR (Industrial Grapple Rake)
IGR stands for Industrial Grapple Rake. It’s a heavy-duty land clearing attachment.
Best For:
- Aggressive land clearing
- Root removal
- Heavy brush
- Forestry applications
Key Features:
- Deep rake-style tines
- Reinforced structure
- Strong hydraulic clamping
- Designed for ground engagement
Unlike lighter brush grapples, IGRs are meant to dig into soil, rip out roots, and handle tough clearing jobs.
They’re popular with contractors doing large-scale property development or forestry clearing where durability and strength matter more than finesse.
Choose this if: You need to rip, rake, and clear aggressively.
Quick Comparison: Which Grapple Do You Need?
Here’s a simplified breakdown:
| Grapple Type | Ideal Use | Material Type | Weight | Sorting |
| Scrap Grapple | Demolition | Metal, concrete | Heavy | None |
| Rock Grapple | Rock removal | Rocks + soil | Medium | Medium |
| Tine Grapple | Loose Hay/Straw | Organic debris | Medium | Medium |
| Skeleton Grapple | Sifting/Sorting | Mixed Organic debris | Medium | High |
| IGR | Land clearing | Roots, brush | Heavy | Medium |
How to Choose the Right Grapple
Before buying, ask yourself:
- What material do I handle most often?
- Do I need to sort material or just move it?
- How important is attachment weight for my machine?
- Am I clearing land, cleaning demolition, or doing general property maintenance?
A grapple built for scrap will struggle with land clearing efficiency. A light brush grapple won’t survive demolition work.
The right choice depends on your real-world jobs, not just specs on paper.
Why Build Quality Matters
No matter which type you choose, pay attention to:
- Steel thickness
- Reinforcement at stress points
- Cylinder protection
- Hose routing
- Tine weld quality
A poorly built grapple bends fast under real jobsite pressure.
At Skid Pro, attachments are designed for working contractors who rely on their equipment daily. That means heavy-duty steel, reinforced stress areas, and practical designs that hold up in the field.
Final Thoughts
There’s no “best” grapple. There’s only the best grapple for your job.
- Moving scrap metal? Go scrap grapple.
- Picking rocks from soil? Rock grapple.
- Cleaning brush piles? Tine grapple.
- Sorting debris on site? Skeleton grapple.
- Clearing heavy land with roots? IGR.
When you match the attachment to the application, you save time, reduce wear on your machine, and get more done in a day.
If you’re unsure which grapple fits your skid steer or compact track loader, the team at Skid Pro can help you compare options and choose the right fit for your machine and workload.