The new Cat GSV420 and GSV425 grapples feature faster cycle times and increased capabilities compared to previous designs, allowing customers to move more material in a day.
Lighter weight and more efficient, the new Cat GSV models increase overall grapple productivity, while reducing maintenance costs.
With two 4-tine sizes available, the new GSV vertical cylinder models match 20-ton to 40-ton material handlers and 14-ton to 31-ton excavators.
“Based on extensive customer feedback, we targeted performance characteristics, efficiency and versatility for these new GSV models. These semi-open tine options meet a wide range of customer needs,” said Chad Bixby, Senior Sales Manager for Caterpillar.
“These models offer increased hydraulic flow capacity and cast parts replace welds to improve durability and reduce weight.”
A refined tine curvature improves overall grapple fill factor by 140 to 200 per cent, while a new rotation system is matched with up to 160 per cent higher flow capacity, compared to the previous model.
Lighter, force-distributing cast pieces help to prolong grapple life. Featuring abrasion-resistant upper and lower grapple housing stops, the new design prevents cylinders from overextending and helps avoid unnecessary hinge-point wear.
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Cast tine tips are easy to replace and high-grade steel construction for inner tines and tips help to prolong service life.
The new semi-open tine models are ideal for applications involving larger steel scrap, pipes and beams. Compared to the previous design, the grapples deliver more usage time before the first service interval to help decrease maintenance time. Ground-level grease points increase maintenance efficiency and help to improve safety.
Easier to access hydraulics simplifies system maintenance and rerouting of integral hydraulics decreases tension on hoses and eliminates interference with materials.
Severe duty thumb-buckets
As well as grapples, Cat has introduced the new Cat SD thumb-bucket, which combines the proven Cat SD and Cat Pro Series thumb into one tool.
The severe duty Cat buckets are designed for low- to high-abrasion applications with low- to medium-impact, such as brush and land clearing, rock and boulder handling, concrete and secondary and primary demolition applications.
Pin-on and pin-grabber compatible, the new thumb-bucket features enhanced weight, capacity and clamping power to deliver superior performance. A departure from previous designs, when the thumb is not required, it can be quickly removed, increasing bucket versatility.
Hose and cylinder mounting on the thumb’s back side with internal hose routing inherently helps to protect these components.
For added durability and reliability, the thumb is integrated into the bucket’s structure.
The SD thumb-bucket has planned commercial availability of early to mid-2027 for North American customers.
S buckets
Caterpillar has also launched a new line of S and HC-S compatible buckets to cover S and HC-S 60, 70 and 80 couplers, plus tilt rotate system (TRS) attachments equipped with S or HC-S bottom couplers.
The broad portfolio covers both general duty (GD) and severe duty (SD) buckets for Cat 313 to 340 excavators equipped with S interface couplers.
The new buckets provide durable performance in a wide array of applications, including dirt, rock, sand and gravel, demolition debris and concrete peeling.
The S interface buckets are based off the proven performance of Cat Pin-on buckets, delivering optimal excavator performance while delivering the durability and reliability customers expect. Straight side plates deliver optimal performance in a range of materials from dirt to rock, package with Advansys ground engaging tool (GET) side cutters or side bar protectors, depending on bucket design, to enhance durability and performance
