The sorting grapple (also called polyp grapple or multi-shell grapple) is a hydraulic excavator attachment with two or more grapple shells that grip, lift, and precisely place material. Unlike a bucket that scoops, the sorting grapple handles individual objects — ideal for sorting work at recycling centers, scrap yards, and construction sites.
Design types: two-shell grapple (for coarse material, stones, tree stumps), multi-purpose sorting grapple (with interchangeable grapple shells for different materials), and sorting grapple with rotator (360° rotation for precise positioning). Closing force ranges from 10 kN for mini excavators to over 200 kN for large excavators.
In recycling and demolition applications, the sorting grapple combined with a rotator is the most productive tool: the operator can separate material streams (wood, metal, concrete, plastic, green waste) directly at the machine and sort them into separate containers. Kinshofer, Demarec, Caterpillar, and Rototilt are leading manufacturers.