Scrap yards and waste recycling facilities need efficient tools to grab and move irregular metal pieces. Standard buckets cannot grip bulky or round materials securely during loading operations. A multi-jaw hydraulic attachment solves this problem by closing around materials from all sides. An excavator orange peel grapple uses four or five curved jaws. They grasp scrap metal, waste, and bulk materials tightly. The grapple mounts to an excavator arm and uses hydraulic power from the host machine. Scrap yards, demolition sites, and recycling plants use these grapples for faster material handling. YG Machinery produces five grapple models matching excavators from 6 to 25 tons in weight.
| Item/Model | Unit | YGO04A | YGO06A | YGO08A | YGO06B | YGO08B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of jaw pieces | – | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Suitable Excavator ton | ton | 6-9 | 10-17 | 18-25 | 10-17 | 18-25 |
| Weight | kg | 355/420 | 900/1000 | 1650/1900 | 850/1000 | 1700/1950 |
| Max Open Jaw | mm | 1200 | 1600 | 2050 | 1900 | 2500 |
| Height of Opened Grapple | mm | 1000 | 1500 | 1700 | 1550 | 2000 |
| Working Pressure | bar | 200 | 260 | 320 | 260 | 320 |
| Working Flow | lpm | 50-100 | 60-120 | 200-250 | 60-120 | 200-250 |
| Capacity | m³ | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 1 |
Get Factory Quote | WhatsApp/Tel: +86 183 3715 2861
How Does an Excavator Orange Peel Grapple Work?
Multi-Jaw Closing Mechanism
The grapple gets its name from the petal-shaped jaws that open and close like an orange peel.
- Four or five curved steel jaws pivot around a central hub at the top.
- Hydraulic cylinders extend and retract to open and close the jaw assembly.
- When closed, the jaws meet tightly in the center to hold material securely.
- Each jaw is independently hinged for better grip on uneven material loads.
360-Degree Rotation Feature
Most models include full rotation capability for precise material positioning.
- A hydraulic rotation motor allows the grapple to spin continuously in either direction.
- Operators can align the jaws with material without moving the entire excavator.
- This feature speeds up loading cycles by reducing machine repositioning time.
- The rotation bearing uses heavy-duty rollers for long service life under load.
Mounting and Hydraulic Connection
The grapple attaches to the excavator arm using standard pin grabber or quick coupler mounts.
- It uses two hydraulic circuits: one for jaw opening and one for rotation.
- Working pressure ranges from 200 bar on small models to 320 bar on large units.
- Installation requires connecting hydraulic hoses to the auxiliary circuit.
- Our team provides custom mounting brackets for non-standard excavator models.
Key Benefits of Our Excavator Orange Peel Grapple
Two Series for Different Applications
YG offers two grapple series, Type A and Type B, to suit different work conditions.
- Type A series features a compact design with strong, focused gripping power.
- Type B series has larger jaw openings for handling bulkier material loads.
- Both series are available with four or five jaw pieces per grapple unit.
- Five-jaw models provide better grip for irregularly shaped scrap pieces.
Strong Grip Force and Durability
These grapples deliver reliable clamping force for heavy scrap handling operations.
- High-strength steel plate construction handles impact and abrasion from metal scrap.
- Hardened pivot pins resist wear during thousands of opening and closing cycles.
- Hydraulic cylinders have chromed piston rods and heavy-duty seal systems.
- Replaceable wear plates protect high-friction areas of the jaw structure.
Efficient Loading and Productivity Gains
Using an orange peel grapple significantly improves material handling efficiency on site.
- Each cycle grabs more material than a standard excavator bucket for scrap work.
- The secure grip reduces material drop-off during lifting and swinging motions.
- Faster loading cycles mean more tons processed per hour of operation.
- Scrap yards with grapple attachments typically increase daily throughput by 40 to 60 percent.
Where to Use an Excavator Grapple Orange Peel Attachment
Scrap Metal Recycling Yards
Scrap yards are the most common application for this type of grapple attachment.
- They handle mixed metal scrap, car bodies, and industrial waste from demolition.
- The multi-jaw design grips round objects like pipes and drums without slipping.
- Grapples load scrap directly onto trucks for transport to steel mills or processing plants.
- The rotation feature helps position material neatly in truck beds for maximum load density.
Construction and Demolition Sites
Demolition projects use these grapples to handle construction waste and debris.
- They lift and sort concrete chunks, rebar, wood, and other demolition materials.
- The grapple can separate metal from mixed waste for recycling on site.
- It works well for loading waste containers and dumpster trucks at job sites.
- Compact models fit on smaller excavators for urban demolition work.
Port and Industrial Bulk Handling
Ports and industrial facilities use larger grapples for bulk material operations.
- They handle bulk cargo like scrap, waste paper, and agricultural bulk materials.
- Grapples load and unload materials from barges, trucks, and rail cars efficiently.
- 360-degree rotation allows precise placement of material in tight storage areas.
- Industrial operations benefit from reduced labor costs and faster turnaround times.
Orange Peel Grapple for Sale: Choosing the Right Model
Finding the right grapple size ensures maximum productivity and long equipment life.
Match to Your Excavator Size
The first step is to match the grapple to your excavator weight class.
- A grapple that is too heavy will strain the excavator arm and reduce stability.
- An undersized grapple will not handle your daily material volume efficiently.
- YG models cover excavators from 6 tons up to 25 tons across five models.
- Our technical team reviews your excavator specs and hydraulic compatibility.
Consider Your Material Type
The materials you handle most determine whether Type A or Type B works better.
- Dense heavy scrap works well with Type A for its stronger, more compact jaws.
- Lighter bulky materials benefit from the larger opening of Type B grapples.
- Five-jaw models provide better grip for irregular and mixed scrap materials.
- You can also choose between rotation and non-rotation versions for your needs.
Think About Total Value and Support
Beyond purchase price, consider quality, service, and spare parts availability.
- Better steel quality means longer service life and fewer replacement costs.
- A reliable supplier provides fast spare parts delivery when you need them.
- When you find an orange peel grapple for sale, compare build quality carefully.
- YG Machinery provides factory-direct pricing with full technical support included.
Excavator Orange Peel Grapple: Amman Scrap Yard Case
In early 2026, a scrap metal recycling company in Amman, Jordan, wanted to boost loading capacity. Their yard processed about 80 tons of mixed scrap daily. They used an old excavator with a standard bucket. Loading trucks took too long, and material often spilled from the bucket during transport. The company also struggled to sort different metal types efficiently on their yard floor.
The operations manager searched online and found YG Machinery through product listings. After discussing their excavator model and daily throughput, our team recommended the YGO08B model. This five-jaw Type B grapple fit their 22-ton excavator and offered a 1 cubic meter capacity. The unit was shipped from China to Aqaba port and delivered by truck to their Amman facility.
Project Execution
- Installation took one day using the excavator’s existing quick coupler connection.
- The operator mastered grapple and rotation controls within half a day of practice.
- The five-jaw design grabbed mixed scrap securely with almost no drop-off.
- 360-degree rotation allowed precise material placement inside truck containers.
- Workers began sorting copper and aluminum pieces directly from the scrap pile.
Project Results
- Daily loading capacity increased from 80 tons to approximately 135 tons per day.
- Truck loading time per load decreased by about 45 percent compared to before.
- Material spillage during transport dropped to nearly zero with the secure grip.
- The company ordered a second YGO06B grapple for their smaller 15-ton excavator.
The scrap yard now runs two shifts with the grapple and processes over 250 tons weekly. They estimate the grapple paid for itself within the first four months of operation.
Request Solution for My Business
FAQ About Lotus Claw Grapple
A1: The required excavator size depends on the grapple model and its weight. Our smallest YGO04A fits 6 to 9 ton mini excavators for light work. The YGO06 series needs a 10 to 17 ton machine for balanced operation. Our largest YGO08 series requires an 18 to 25-ton excavator for stability.
A2: The choice depends on the type of material you handle most often. Five-jaw grapples provide better grip on irregular and bulky scrap pieces. Four-jaw models work well for uniform bulk materials and are easier to maintain. Most scrap yards prefer five-jaw grapples for their versatile gripping performance. We can help you decide based on your specific material types.
A3: Yes, most modern excavators can support a grapple attachment with the right setup. You need two hydraulic auxiliary circuits: one for the jaws and one for rotation. Many excavators already have these lines installed from the factory. Our team reviews your machine specifications to confirm compatibility before you order. We can also supply valve kits if your machine needs hydraulic modifications.
A4: Regular maintenance includes greasing all pivot pins every 40 to 50 operating hours. You should inspect hydraulic hoses regularly for wear or damage from scrap metal. Jaw teeth and wear plates can be replaced when they show significant wear. We provide a detailed maintenance manual with every grapple we sell.
Get Factory Quote | WhatsApp/Tel: +86 183 3715 2861
YG Machinery: Your Excavator Orange Peel Grapple Supplier
Manufacturing Quality
YG Machinery builds excavator attachments for scrap and demolition customers worldwide. We manufacture every excavator grapple orange peel unit with high-grade structural steel. Each unit passes full pressure testing before leaving our factory. We use reputable brand hydraulic motors, cylinders, and seal components in every unit.
Service and Support
Our technical team provides installation guidance and operator training by video call.
- We keep a full stock of spare parts, wear plates, and teeth for fast shipping.
- Customers get factory-direct pricing without middleman markup on any model.
- Custom jaw configurations and mounting brackets are available on request.
- Remote video support helps troubleshoot any operating issues quickly.
Request Your Free Quotation
Looking for a reliable lotus claw grapple for your scrap yard or demolition project? Contact YG Machinery today for a free quotation and model recommendation. Tell us about your excavator size and the materials you handle daily. We will match you with the right grapple size and jaw configuration for your needs. Email us at admin@yugongheavy.com or message us on WhatsApp at +86 183 3715 2861. Our team responds within 8 hours with pricing, delivery times, and full technical specifications.
