"Skid steer grapple" covers four very different attachments, and buying the wrong one is an expensive mistake. A rake grapple won't move rocks. A rock grapple won't pull trees out by the roots. Here's how to actually pick.
The four grapple styles, ranked by use case
1. Dominator Grapple — for pulling trees and heavy brush
If your job involves pulling trees out by the roots, removing stumps, or grabbing tangled brush piles where you need raw clamping force, the Dominator Grapple is the right tool. It uses 1" thick AR400 steel jaws and a dual-cylinder design where each cylinder produces serious crushing pressure. The integrated grapple guard protects the cab from snap-back when a sapling springs free.
What it's not good at: scooping loose material like dirt or mulch. The jaws are designed to grip, not contain. Use a bucket for that.
Price: $7,845. Weight: 1,340 lbs. Shop the Dominator →
2. Dominator Tree Puller — for taking out small trees fast
The Dominator Tree Puller is a stripped-down, focused tool. If you're clearing a fence line, removing dozens of small trees (6" diameter and under), or working through invasive species (locust, buckthorn, mulberry), this is faster than a chainsaw and a chipper combined. The 31" cab guard sits between you and the trees you're yanking, which matters when you're pulling 30 of them a day.
Price: $5,130. Weight: 1,200 lbs. Shop the Tree Puller →
3. Rake Grapple — for brush and debris with dirt separation
A rake grapple has tines instead of solid jaws. That means dirt, leaves, and small debris fall through while you carry the bigger stuff. Perfect for cleaning up after a clearing job — load brush piles into a chipper or burn pile without hauling half the topsoil with it. Also great for landscape contractors moving root balls or rocks where you want the dirt to drop.
Price: $5,479. Weight: 830 lbs. Shop the Rake Grapple →
4. Rock Bucket with Dual Grapple — for rocks, roots, and stumps in soil
If your work involves sifting rocks out of dirt, removing buried roots, or grading rocky ground, the Rock Bucket with Dual Grapple is purpose-built for it. The tined bucket bottom lets dirt sift through while rocks stay caught, and the dual grapples on top let you carry trees, brush, or oversize rocks too big to scoop. It's the most versatile attachment in the lineup — but versatility means you'll pay a small premium and it's heavier to maneuver than a pure grapple.
Price: $4,305. Weight: 800 lbs. Shop the Rock Bucket Grapple →
5. EZ Grapple Bucket — for general material handling with grapple option
If you mostly need a bucket but occasionally want to clamp material in place (logs, rocks, brush bundles), the EZ Grapple Bucket is a solid-bottom bucket with a top grapple. Better for contained material (gravel, mulch, dirt with the occasional rock) than the rake grapple. Comes in 72", 81", and 90" widths.
Price: $5,010 (72"). Weight: 960 lbs. Shop the EZ Grapple Bucket →
Match the grapple to the job
| Job | Best Grapple |
|---|---|
| Pulling 8"+ diameter trees & stumps | Dominator Grapple |
| Clearing fence lines (under 6" diameter trees) | Dominator Tree Puller |
| Cleaning up brush piles, debris with soil separation | Rake Grapple |
| Rock removal, mixed soil/rock work | Rock Bucket with Dual Grapple |
| General material handling + occasional clamping | EZ Grapple Bucket |
All five are built by Skid Steer Nation in the USA and fit universal quick-attach skid steers. Ship direct from the manufacturer with flat-rate freight. Browse all grapples →
If you're running a smaller machine (Toro Dingo, Bobcat MT, mini track loader), you'll need a SmithCustomz adapter plate to mount these full-size grapples. We build them to order in Illinois — email zach@smithcustomz.com or text 1-815-200-9363 to confirm fitment before you order.
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