Root Grapples

Root grapples are designed for digging and grabbing roots, rocks, and embedded debris. The spaced tines on the bottom let dirt fall through while keeping roots and rocks. Use them for: clearing brush piles, pulling stumps and roots, picking up storm debris, and sifting rocks out of soil. They're not great for loose material — for that, use a bucket grapple.

Both have spaced tines, but root grapples have heavier, more deeply curved tines built for digging into soil. Rake grapples have lighter, flatter tines designed for raking surface debris and brush piles. Root grapple = digging tool. Rake grapple = surface clearing tool. If you need both jobs done, a root grapple usually handles both — the reverse isn't always true. See the full comparison.

Match to your machine and the work. For compact tractors (30HP and below) or mini skid steers, 48–62". For mid-size skid steers and tractors (30–60 HP), 62–74". For large skid steers, large frame tractors, or compact track loaders doing land clearing, 74–84". Wider grapples cover more ground per pass but add weight — don't exceed your machine's rated lift.

Yes, for small to mid-size stumps. The tines grab major roots, then you use the loader's lift force to pry the stump up. Works well for stumps under 12" diameter on softwood or shallow-rooted trees. For oak or other deep-rooted hardwoods over 18", use a stump grinder or excavator instead — root grapples can lever, but they're not built to pull tap roots out of clay.

If you drag the tines through grass, yes — the deep tines tear sod. Best practice: lift the grapple high enough that the tines clear the ground when traveling, only lower them when you're actively grabbing. The grapple itself doesn't damage what it grabs (logs, brush, rocks); the damage is from incorrect technique on soft ground.

Standard root grapples need 8–18 GPM at 2,000–3,000 PSI to operate the closing jaws — well within most skid steer and tractor loader specs. The flow doesn't need to match the machine's max output; the grapple's relief valve protects against over-pressure. Most standard-flow skid steers and aux-hydraulic-equipped tractors handle root grapples without modification.