What Is a Grapple Saw and How Does It Work?

If you are in the tree care or land clearing business, you’ve likely seen videos of grapple saws taking down massive trees with surgical precision. But if you haven't run one yourself, you probably have a few reservations.

There are three major misconceptions operators and business owners have about grapple saws before they actually use one: that they are too expensive, that they aren't rugged enough for daily abuse, and that finding one to fit their specific piece of equipment is a nightmare.

At Bob Forestry Attachments, we design and manufacture the Smart Bobby grapple saw to shatter those myths. Here is everything you need to know about what a grapple saw is, how it works, and how it can completely transform your tree care operation.

What is a Grapple Saw?

Fundamentally, a grapple saw is a heavy-duty hydraulic attachment that combines a powerful set of jaws with a high-speed chainsaw. It allows a single operator to grab, cut, and lower sections of a tree safely from the cab of a machine.

To give you an idea of the scale and capability, let's look at the specs of the Smart Bobby:

• All-Steel Construction: Built for the harshest environments, with a net weight of 1,750 lbs (without the attachment plate).

• Massive Capacity: Features a 53-inch grapple opening and a 29-inch maximum cut diameter.

• Unmatched Maneuverability: Boasts continuous 360-degree self-locking rotation and the ability to tilt the saw box 40 degrees to make angled cuts or reach under obstructions.

• 10,000 lb Load Capacity: Designed to hold serious weight securely while making the cut.
  

Will it Fit My Machine?

The biggest worry buyers have is compatibility. How do I hook this up, and will it work with my machine?

Because we manufacture our own machine-specific attachment plates in-house, the setup is incredibly simple. All it takes is the custom attachment plate and two hydraulic lines.

To run the Smart Bobby at peak efficiency, your host machine needs to provide up to 3,000 PSI and 23-30 GPM of hydraulic flow. Because of the 1,750 lb weight and the leverage involved, this attachment is not for standard skid steers. The ideal host machine is a telehandler, rotating telehandler, or excavator in the 14-ton to 23-ton weight class.

How Does It Work in the Field?

From the operator's seat, making a cut is a straightforward sequence—but doing it smoothly requires technique. Here is the proper way to execute a cut:

1. Bring the saw up to the piece that is to be cut.

2. Square it up: Ensure the backrest is perfectly squared with the log or branch. If it's not square, the jaws won't hold it fully, and the piece can become loose after it's cut.

3. Close the grapple jaws securely.

4. Preload the boom: This is the most common mistake beginners make. Before you activate the saw, you must load the boom up slightly to offset the weight of the piece you are cutting. If you don't, the piece will sag and pinch the saw bar halfway through the cut.

5. Activate the saw and make the cut.

Expert Feature: The Smart Bobby is equipped with a Super Saw kit and features a unique function that allows you to send the saw bar out without the chain spinning. This allows operators to perfectly line up technical cuts before committing.

The Game-Changing ROI

A grapple saw isn't just a new tool; it is a complete operational shift.

Think about a standard technical removal over a house or powerlines using a crane. You have to fly a climber into the tree. They tie off, rig the piece, make the cut, and the crane flies it down. A ground guy disconnects it, and another machine feeds it to the chipper.

With a rotating telehandler and a Smart Bobby, one operator makes the cut, brings the piece down in a completely controlled manner, and feeds it directly into the chipper. You are cutting down on crew size, massive crane costs, and time on site.

We recently sent one of the first Smart Bobby saws in the USA out for a demo to a veteran operator who had 5,000+ hours of seat time with a traditional European competitor model. He didn’t think he could be convinced of a better product. After running the Smart Bobby on his job sites, he sold his old attachment and bought ours. We've seen several other customers completely upgrade their businesses from bucket trucks to rotating telehandlers equipped with a Smart Bobby.

Maintenance and Downtime

Tree crews are hard on gear, which is why the Smart Bobby is engineered for maximum uptime and transparency.

Maintenance is straightforward:

• No manual chain tensioning: The chain is hydraulically tensioned automatically.

• Daily checks: Inspect the .404 chain, ensure the bar is straight, and do a visual inspection for leaks or loose hardware.

• Lubrication: Top off the grease accumulator (which lubes the chain), check the bar return accumulator (should be at 180psi), and hit all the grease zerks.

To eliminate downtime, all hydraulic lines are highly protected, barcoded, and registered with Parker Hydraulics. If you blow a line, you simply call the local hydraulic store, give them the barcode, and they have the exact specs in their system to make a replacement immediately. Furthermore, every Smart Bobby comes with a complete mechanical breakdown manual and easily removable access covers so you have total transparency to all parts and internals.

Getting Started

If you are coming from a competitor model, the transition is seamless—the controls are laid out exactly the same, with the simple addition of the 40-degree saw box tilt and the spin-less bar lineup features. (And if you prefer a different button layout, we can fully customize the controls on the saw to accommodate you).

If you are entirely new to grapple saws, there is a learning curve, primarily with mastering the host machine. Our best advice? Start low and slow. Don't go straight to a complicated job. Practice in your yard on logs, or take down smaller trees on your own property first before working your way up.

Ready to Transform Your Operation?

Seeing is believing. If you want to see exactly how the Smart Bobby can cut your crew costs, increase your safety, and out-perform the competition, we want to talk to you.

We are happy to answer your technical questions, connect you with a local dealer for a hands-on demo, or even connect you directly with our current users so you can hear their testimonials firsthand.

Contact Bob Forestry Attachments today:

• Call: 418-225-1063 or 781-GO-BOBBY (781-462-6229)

• Email: Info@Bobforestproducts.com

• Visit: Bobforestproducts.com