Idrobenne designs and builds a wide range of high quality orange peel grapples (scrap grapples), to be mounted on truck cranes, excavators and hydraulic loader machines.
Orange peel grapples (scrap grapples): the best choice to handle bulk materials
Orange peel grapples are gripping devices formed by a central frame to which are hinged from 3 to 6 tines. Each tine is set in motion by an independent hydraulic cylinder. All cylinders are connected to a single hydraulic circuit, which coordinates the opening and closing of the tines. Thanks to this conformation, during closing, all the tines work with the same pressing force, even though each one of them can stop in a different position. For this reason, polyp grapples grant a firm grip on irregularly shaped objects, making it the most effective tool for handling bulk materials such as scrap, municipal solid waste, industrial waste, production waste, paper, cardboard, plastic, firewood and tires. Scrap grapples are also suitable for the collection of scrap cars, big stones and boulders. The tines, or jaws, are offered in three different shapes, depending on the width: closed, half-closed (standard) and open. Standard tines are the most versatile, open tines are used to load bulk material and closed tines are intended for handling fine grained material. Geometry of Idrobenne polyp grab derives from years of experience and is designed to grant the maximum penetration into stacked materials and the maximum load capacity.
The so-called pendulum mounting
Orange peel grapples, like clamshell buckets, log grapples, kerb stone grabs and hydraulic forks, must be mounted on the operating machine by a cardan link that allows the oscillation in the longitudinal and lateral direction ("pendulum" style). This makes them different from sorting and demolition grapples, which are instead mounted on the arm of the excavator via a rigid connection system.
Compact polyp grapple with “horizontal” cylinders
Polyp grabs can be roughly categorized into two types: those with horizontal cylinders, which are more compact, and those with vertical cylinders.
Orange peel grapples with horizontal cylinders have the advantage to reduced external dimensions in consideration to its loading volume. PFO series is in fact ideal for use on truck cranes, where the overall dimensions are a vital problem. The smaller the space occupied by the grapple, the higher the load capacity of the vehicle. With PFO compact grapples is easier to accomplish the laws regarding the maximum allowed dimensions for the circulation of trucks.
When it comes to equip excavators, the advantage of a compact multi-tine grapple is clear where the equipment must work in narrow spaces. Any hydraulic loaders which operate in enclosed areas or under a roof can achieve higher loading height and considerable advantages through the use horizontal cylinders grabs PFO-P type.
Another advantage of the compact scrap grapples is to have the cylinders protected by the tine structure and the hydraulic manifolds which runs within the central frame. These factors increase the reliability of grapples without making the construction more expensive. It can be said that the prices of PFO polyps are very competitive in relation to the loading volumes, sturdiness, overall quality and reliability.
Idrobenne can offer the most proper multi-tine, compact grapple for every specific field of activity into the material handling and scrap collection business:
1. Orange peel grapples PFO: outstanding hydraulic grapples suitable for a wide range of materials.
Suitable for all lorry mounted cranes or small excavators. The PFO grapple is designed to work with excavators that range in weight from 2 to 11 tons. The grapples have 4 to 6 fingers, with three different finger styles (open, semi-closed and fully closed tines), depending on the application. The PFO has a 100 to 400 liters capacity and a rated load up to 3 tons. The weight of the PFO ranges between 125 to 650 Kg., depending on the finger type. Optional internal and interchangeable hydraulic rotator available.
2. The asymmetric, 6 tines orange peel grab PFO for Z-cranes
Idrobenne’s scrap grapples with 6 horizontal cylinders with two asymmetric teeth, designed for foldable cranes “Z” type, is increasingly popular and appreciated. This hydraulic tool, whose exact name is PFO-6/290, has been designed specifically to respect the maximum allowed overall dimensions of trucks, when mounted on truck cranes with folding arm like Epsilon, Palfinger, Marchesi, Mec, Bob Italev, Fassi, Penz, Taifun and Hiab. Thanks to the installation of such a polyp grapple, operators can enjoy the benefits offered by a 6 tines orange peel grapple on their truck crane, without exceeding the maximum dimensions allowed by traffic laws. Idrobenne asymmetrical scrap grapple has a unique and original design, which provides an angle of 52 ° between the standard jaws. This conception:
• makes the grapple’s main body more balanced, improving the ability to grip and hold the material
• increases efficiency and reliability.
• reduces torsional loads on the tines, so to increase the lifespan of the equipment.
• maximizes the gripping volume.
3. Compact scrap grab PFO-SR: sturdy, low profile design with full cylinder protection.
This is a reinforced version of PFO line, which is designed to work with excavators that range in weight from 12 to 16 tons. The grapples have 5 to 6 fingers, with three different finger styles (open, semi-closed and fully closed tines), depending on the application. The PFO-SR has a 400 liters capacity and a rated load of 3 tons. The weight of the PFO-SR ranges between 550 to 700 Kg., depending on the finger type. Optional internal hydraulic rotator available.
4. Heavy-duty, compact orange peel grapples PFO-P
These are very well-tested and strong-built compact grapples for demanding application of metal scrap and urban waste collection. The scrap line PFO-P is designed to work with excavators that range in weight from 14 to 23 tons. The grapples have 4 to 6 fingers, with three different finger styles (open, semi-closed and fully closed tines), depending on the application. The PFO-P has a 400 to 600 liters capacity and a rated load up to 5 tons. The weight of the PFO-P ranges between 800 to 1000 Kg. Optional internal and interchangeable hydraulic rotator available.
Scrap grapples with vertical cylinders
Orange peel grapples with vertical cylinders are tall and bulky, but they provide a more favorable lever to the cylinders, which translates into a huge closing force. Idrobenne builds two series of grapples in this configuration. The first is called PFV line, has a traditional design and is usually mounted on small wheeled loaders and forklifts. These grapples are now very common in tanneries and in leather processing, where PFV grabs are requested with a specific kit that provides spherical tips and rounded edges, to avoid any damages to the leather. Maintenance work on this type of scrap grapples is quick and simple.
The second polyp grapple line is called PV and represents the state-of-the art grapple for heavy duty applications. These tools are designed for the most modern and high-performing material handlers and, more generally, to all hydraulic excavators up to 40 tons.
PV multi-tines grabs have a considerable strength and a powerful closing force. They feature oversized pins and solid mechanical end-of-run. The powerful cylinders are equipped with hydraulic cushioning and watertight ram protections, so that even dust cannot ruin the chrome plated cylinder rods.
These heavy duty line of scrap grabs is among the best European products and is widely recognized as a robust and high quality equipment. The industry commonly associate PV grapples with the products of the best Italian competitors, like Rozzi or Minelli, or European, as Verachtert, Liebherr, Atlas, Arden Equipment and Rotar. All Idrobenne orange peel grabs can be supplied with a “salt water kit”, which make the equipment more resistant in case of underwater work at sea.
PV orange peel grapples for material handlers
They are designed for the most demanding applications of metal scrap handling and recycling. The heavy-duty PV line is among the best grapples in Europe. The main technical features can be listed as follows:
- Cylinders with double-ball joint, hydraulically cushioned.
- Main frame made of special, fine grain steel.
- Geometry with long leverages, made to obtain max closing power and speed.
- Extra-large pivot points and oversized pins for maximum reliability.
- Accurate construction, solid end stops both in opening and closing.
- Total ram protection, sealed by o-rings
- Tines and tips made of HARDOX 400 anti-wear steel
- Incorporated, state-of-the-art hydraulic rotator
HD scrap grapples PV are designed to work with excavators that range in weight from 18 to 40 tons. The grapples have 4 to 6 fingers, with three different finger styles (open, semi-closed and fully closed tines), depending on the application. The PV has a 500 to 1000 liters capacity and a rated load up to 8 tons. The weight of the PV ranges between 1200 to 2200 Kg., depending on the finger type. Optional internal hydraulic rotator is available.
Grabs with precise construction and high-quality components
Since company’s foundation back in 1994, Idrobenne made a clear choice for quality, which roots in the best “made in Italy” productive system. It does not de-localizes the production of any component. All operations are carried out within its own plant, in order to have an immediate and constant quality control. Idrobenne’s workshop is equipped with advanced machines. For these reasons, the assembly of each and every frame is very precise. The structural frames and main parts of the hydraulic equipment are made from high tensile steel Domex 420 and Domex 690. Cylinders are made of high quality materials and have great resistance. Wear blades, grapple’s tips and other parts subject to abrasion are made of wear resistant, Hardox 400 steel and HB 400 steel. Pins are made of a special steel and hardened with heat treatment. Bushes have an internal spiral for the uniform distribution of grease. Needless to say, such an attention to materials and precision construction is reflected in the long-term reliability of the products. Idrobenne works with ISO 9001 quality certification and offers a complete and efficient after-sale service.
Accessories for polyp grabs
Idrobenne orange peel grapples can mount a large choice of accessories that makes them perfectly suited to the each job. The most common accessories can be listed as follows:
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Hydraulic rotator GRI: hydraulic motor which allows 360° continuous rotation. Idrobenne offers a full range of rotators with orbital system, vane or piston motor, from 3 to 40 Ton load capacity. The grapple’s design allows the rotator to be incorporated into the main frame.
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Mechanical rotator: sturdy mechanism that allows free rotation, limited to 250 °.
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Slewing ring rotator: very robust hydraulic rotator with single or double ball bearing.
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Adapters: custom-made connections for existing rotators or quick couplers.
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Upper flanges: different flanges, made according to customer specifications.
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-SR Kit: special features can be added to make the standard grapples suitable to heavy-duty applications
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Tannery kit: spherical tips and rounded edges of the jaws are available in order to prevent any cut and damage to the hides.
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Sea water kit: special features to make orange peel grapple suitable to work in sea water: includes, among other, bushes with external oil rings OR to retain grease and chrome plated pins. It is the requested by customers working at sea on boats, ships and barges.
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Top link: cardan suspension link that allows the oscillation in the longitudinal and lateral direction with respect to the arm of the machine.
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Adapters for quick connection: adapters for the quick connection of couplings like Lehnhoff, vtn, Trevi, Mantovanibenne, Cangini, volvo, Nordic standards, Morin, Verachtert and more.
Spare parts of orange peel grapples are always available on stock
Rapid availability of spare parts is always critical. Machine downtime costs are too high to afford. For this reason, Idrobenne has decided to keep all the spare parts of its equipment available in stock, ready for delivery. In the production site in Isorella, Brescia, all cylinders, hoses, chromed pins, hardened bushing, block valves, nuts, anti-wear tips, etc. are available for immediate delivery. Idrobenne has often second-hand orange peel grapples at low prices. Scrap grapples can be found also as pre-owned items, overhauled, with warranty. Thanks to a used orange peel grapple, an operator who works occasionally could invest a small sum of money and enjoy the benefits of professional equipment.
Orange peel grapples and demolition grapples
Orange peel grapples are sometimes associated with sorting and demolition grapples. The main difference between these two lines of accessories is that the polyp must be mounted pendulum-wise on the excavator arm, via a cardan suspension link. That is the reason why the excavators dedicated to scrap and waste handling, called "material handlers”, are provided with a “goose neck” arm, which has a single connecting pin. This special, curved arm allows the scrap grapple to swing even when it is almost vertical. On the contrary, sorting and demolition grapples are mounted rigidly, through two-pins adapters. In this way, the operator can control the inclination of the tool very precisely, with the upper cylinder. But in general terms, the orange peel grapple is a tool that allows the collection of a large quantity of bulk materials, while the sorting grapple is necessary when a higher precision is needed in sorting operations. Sorting and demolition grapples series SG and DG are among the most robust on the market: they are equipped with an oversized central hydraulic cylinder and mounted in a sturdy box frame. The structure is completely made of steel HB400 to ensure the best anti-wear capacity and of Weldox 400 to obtain the best elastic limit. These materials grant reliability and increase lifespan. All components are of the highest quality, thanks to a forty-year experience in manufacturing heavy hydraulic equipment. Jaws are provided with generous end-of-run in opening and closing. Bolt-on wear-blades are reversible. Maintenance is simple, thanks to an operator-friendly design.
How to choose a scrap grapple
The most important data on which the choice of a multi tine grapple depends is the operating machine. An hydraulic tool can be mounted on truck cranes, foldable “Z” cranes, fixed cranes, skid steer loaders, tele-handlers, forklifts, backhoes, mini excavators, wheeled and tracked excavators, materials handlers, etc. For each type of machine, the most proper orange peel grapples must then be choose according to the material to be handled. Then, the correct accessories must be taken into consideration. When considering the number of possible combinations, it’s easy to understand how the choice of the correct hydraulic equipment can be really complicated. For this reason, Idrobenne’s sales department is always available to the customer. Please contact us!