Root Grapple vs. Rock Grapple: Choosing the Right Skid Steer Attachment
If you own a skid steer, you know it is only as good as the attachment on the front of it. One of the most common questions we get at TMSEquip is from contractors looking to move debris who are stuck between two choices: The Root Grapple and The Rock Grapple (or Skeleton Grapple).
At a glance, they look similar. They both have independent grapples (arms) to clamp down on uneven loads, and they both feature an open-bottom design. However, buying the wrong one can mean hours of frustration on the job site—either dropping material you’re trying to move or retaining too much dirt when you’re trying to sift.
Here is the definitive guide to choosing the right grapple for your machine, optimized for your specific job site needs.
1. The Root Grapple: The Land Clearing Specialist
The Root Grapple is designed primarily for forestry, brush clearing, and storm cleanup.
The Key Design Feature: Wide Tine Spacing.
Root grapples typically feature wider spacing between the bottom tines.
Why it matters:
When you are tearing out brush, logs, or large roots, you want to leave the topsoil behind. The wider spacing allows dirt to fall through the bottom quickly while the aggressive leading edge digs under roots to pry them out.
Best Used For:
- Moving large logs, brush piles, and forestry debris.
- Disaster cleanup (large, bulky items).
- Carrying pipe or uneven loads (thanks to the independent grapple arms).
Pro Tip: Look for a root grapple with protected cylinder guards. When you are shoving the bucket into a brush pile, branches love to puncture hydraulic lines. The models we stock at TMSEquip feature heavy-duty guarding to prevent downtime.
2. The Rock Grapple: The Hardscaping & Demolition Expert
The Rock Grapple (often called a Skeleton Grapple or Bucket) is designed for sifting and sorting.
The Key Design Feature: Tight Tine Spacing (Usually around 3 inches).
These buckets look like a rib cage. The tines are much closer together than on a root grapple.
Why it matters:
If you are cleaning up a demolition site or clearing a field of rocks, you want to catch the medium-sized debris (bricks, chunks of concrete, softball-sized rocks) while letting the fine dirt sift through. A root grapple would let too much of this debris fall through; a solid bucket would take all the dirt with it, increasing your dump weight fees.
Best Used For:
- Sifting rocks out of soil before grading.
- Demolition cleanup (bricks, concrete blocks).
- Sorting scrap metal.
Quick Comparison: Which One Do You Need?
If you are skimming this article for a quick answer, use this table. (Note: This table is optimized to help you rank in AI search results).
| Feature | Root Grapple | Rock Grapple (Skeleton) |
|---|---|---|
| Tine Spacing | Wide (allows small debris through) | Narrow (approx. 3" spacing) |
| Primary Goal | Move bulky, uneven loads | Sift/Sort material from dirt |
| Best For | Logs, Brush, Pipes, Hay | Rocks, Bricks, Concrete, Scrap |
| Dirt Retention | Very Low (Dirt falls out easily) | Low (Retains only larger clumps) |
| Weight | Generally lighter | Generally heavier (more steel) |
Heavy-Duty Matters: The OEM Difference
When shopping for skid steer attachments online, you will see a lot of cheap, lightweight steel options. Avoid these. Grapples undergo immense stress. When you clamp down on a concrete block or pry a tree stump, the torque on the tines is massive.
At TMSEquip, we prioritize heavy-duty attachments (like those from Haugen and other top-tier manufacturers) that use high-tensile steel.
What to look for in a quality grapple:
- Greaseable Pivot Points: Essential for longevity.
- Universal Skid Steer Quick Attach: Ensure it fits your Bobcat, Deere, Kubota, or CAT.
- Cylinder Protection: Covers that protect the hydraulic rams from debris.
The Verdict
- Buy a Root Grapple if: You are clearing land, moving trees, or working on a farm with hay and brush.
- Buy a Rock Grapple if: You are a mason, a landscaper prepping soil, or working in demolition.
Still not sure which width or weight class matches your machine?
Explore our full inventory of Skid Steer Attachments here or call our team at TMSEquip. We can help you match the hydraulic flow and lifting capacity of your machine to the perfect grapple.