What is the difference between the mechanical grabs and the hydraulic grabs?In terms of material handling, choosing the right grab can significantly affect efficiency and productivity.The two common types of grapple used in cranes are mechanical grapple and hydraulic grapple.Let’s explore their differences and understand when to choose each type.
First of all, let’s take a look at what is a hydraulic grab and a mechanical grab:
Electro Hydraulic Orange Peel Grabs
Electro hydraulic Clamshell Grabs
Electro Hydraulic Rectangular Grabs
Hydraulic Round Nose Bucket
A set of lifting mechanisms, the hydraulic grab is installed under the hook using a hook, which is easy to disassemble, and the telescopic action of the hydraulic cylinder completes the opening and closing of the bucket.
It has a motor, a hydraulic pumping station, and a control valve, which is driven by an external power supply to open and close.
The hydraulic grabs are connected to the hydraulic circuit on the crane.
The operator can control the lifting, opening and closing, transfer and other actions of the hydraulic grab in the control room.
It needs to be equipped with 2 sets of lifting mechanisms to open and close the mechanical grabs through the reel.
The mechanical grabs relies on mechanical connecting rods, pulleys, and levers for grasping action
Operated by direct physical force, it consists of two or more hinged arms with sharp or serrated edges, similar to the jaw of a creature, which can tightly clamp the material.
No hydraulic power or electrical connection is required. The operator manually controls the movement of the mechanical grab.
Domestic waste treatment:
Grab cranes used in waste disposal in domestic waste incineration and power generation projects mainly grab domestic waste.
This is an intelligent product that can realize unattended operations.
Scrap steel and large stones:
In scrap yards and stone processing plants, materials of various shapes and sizes can be precisely controlled and efficiently processed.
Old battery:
It is more suitable for fine operation and accuracy, and reduces the risk of battery damage.
Food processing industry:
Grab pickles, pickles, and wineries for brewing.
Stainless steel is usually used to reduce pollution.
River decontamination:
It is very suitable for fine cleaning tasks, providing precise control to remove debris without disturbing the riverbed too much.
Light industry:
Grasping plastics is very suitable for high-precision processing of plastics, suitable for classification and fine operation.
Waste treatment and classification:
Mechanical grappling hooks are good at handling bulk materials such as logs, scrap metal, rocks and debris.
Waste management facilities use grabs to sort and transfer recyclables, green waste, and construction waste.
Dismantle and deconstruct:
During the demolition project, the mechanical grab removes the building structure by grabbing and pulling the material.
The removal of concrete, steel beams and other components minimizes the need for labor and shortens the project schedule.
Loading and unloading:
The grab can effectively handle bulk cargo such as coal, grain and aggregates.
Forestry operations:
Efficiently load and unload logs to assist in the logging and transportation of wood.
They keep operators away from fallen trees and heavy logs, thereby improving safety.
The hydraulic system has many mechanisms, and the maintenance is more cumbersome than the mechanical grabs.
The hydraulic system is more complex and the maintenance cost is higher, and it is prone to air intake and other failures during use.
Compared with hydraulic grabs, mechanical grabs are simple to maintain and durable. Mechanical grabs are usually just a matter of wire rope wear. At that time, only the wire rope needs to be replaced.
The hydraulic grabs of the crane is controlled by a hydraulic system, which has the advantages of high precision and flexible operation. It is suitable for loading and unloading bulk cargo and occasions that require fine operation, but its structure is complex and the maintenance cost is high. The mechanical grabs relies on wire rope control, which is suitable for handling large pieces of materials and heavy-duty operations in harsh environments. The structure is relatively simple and the maintenance cost is low. When choosing, the type of grab to use should be determined according to the operation requirements, accuracy requirements, and operating environment.
Clarify your purpose:before delving into the options, please clarify your specific requirements.Ask yourself:
The type of material to grab | Grab material | Capacity weight(t/m³) |
Light | Coke, slag, grains, potatoes, medium-quality anthracite lime, cement, soil, gravel, clay, broken bricks, etc. | 0.5~1.2 |
Medium | Peat, large pieces of anthracite coal, compacted coal, clay, limestone, gravel, salt, gravel, bricks, bauxite, flakes of iron oxide, cement, sand and bricks in water, etc. | 1.2~2.0 |
Heavy | Limestone, heavy clay, small and medium-sized ores, hard rock, rod-shaped iron oxide, iron ore, lead concentrate powder, etc. | 2.0~2.6 |
Overweight | Large ores, large manganese ore, sedimentary agglomerated lead ore powder, etc. | 2.6~3.3 |
References: Electro Hydraulic Grabs
Accessory compatibility: Ensure that the grab is compatible with existing equipment.
Budget considerations: The price range of the grab is different.Balance your budget based on the function and durability of the grab.
Comments and suggestions: Research online, read user reviews, and seek suggestions from industry peers.
Go to the crane manufacturer for on-site inspection and testing before purchasing: test the grab under real conditions as much as possible.Evaluate its performance, ease of use, and overall functionality.
Keep in mind that choosing the right grab requires a balance between functionality, safety, and cost.By considering these factors, you will find the perfect grab that can increase productivity and ensure smooth operation.
We use 2 previous Dafangcrane projects to help you distinguish the selection.
Material diversity: The composition of domestic waste is complex, the moisture content is high, and the material diversity is rich, which requires a flexible grab for processing.The hydraulic grabs are multifunctional and can effectively handle materials of different types and states.
Grasping accuracy and efficiency: The hydraulic grabs can accurately control the grasping force and angle, and adapt to the fine operations required in the garbage disposal process, such as mixing, dumping, handling and stirring, to ensure uniform garbage composition.
Strong processing capacity: 600 tons of garbage are processed a day, and the equipment runs for up to 8,000 hours. The durability and efficient performance of the hydraulic grab meet the needs of high-intensity operations.
Safety and stability: The hydraulic grabs operates smoothly, which can reduce the risk of material spilling and operation, improve work safety, and is suitable for handling domestic waste with high moisture content and large density changes.
Adapt to complex operating environments: The hydraulic grabs can maintain efficient operation in a changeable working environment, especially suitable for garbage disposal, which requires frequent operation and flexible response to various materials.
Long-term and high-frequency operations: The durability and stability of the hydraulic grab enable it to cope with long-term and high-frequency operations, reduce downtime, and improve overall work efficiency.
In summary, the choice of hydraulic grab is based on its comprehensive considerations of flexibility, high efficiency, durability and safety, which can effectively meet the complex and high-intensity operation needs of waste power generation projects.
Good sealing: materials such as metal powder are easy to scatter during handling, and the mechanical grabs has a simple structure and good sealing, which can effectively prevent materials from spilling and improve the cleanliness and safety of operations.
Cost-effectiveness: The purchase and maintenance costs of mechanical grabs are low, and they are suitable for operations with limited budgets and long-term and high-frequency use.
Durability: The grab wire rope adopts stainless steel temperature-resistant type, which is suitable for material handling such as metal powders that have high requirements for temperature and corrosion resistance.
Applicable environment: For metal powder in a dry state, the gripping force and stability of the mechanical grabs are sufficient to meet the needs, and the operation is simple and easy to maintain.
Work efficiency: The mechanical grab can quickly and efficiently complete the grabbing and handling of materials, improve the overall work efficiency, and is suitable for the rapid operation needs of industrial production lines.
In summary, the choice of mechanical grab is based on its comprehensive considerations of closure, cost-effectiveness, durability, applicable environment and operating efficiency, which can effectively meet the actual needs of metal powder magnetic material companies.
It is recommended to choose mechanical grabs in the following cases:
It is recommended to choose hydraulic grabs in the following cases:
In short, mechanical grabs and hydraulic grabs have their advantages in material handling. Evaluate your specific requirements, consider available equipment, and make an informed choice. Whether you choose the robustness and simplicity of the mechanical grabs or the accuracy of the hydraulic grabs, remember that the right grab can increase productivity and ensure smooth operation.
Dafang Crane offers a wide range of hydraulic and mechanical grabs, including various types of automated grabs designed to meet diverse needs. Whether you’re looking for efficient solutions for heavy lifting or specialized applications, we have the right equipment for you. Click on the image link below to explore our full selection and find the perfect grab for your business needs.
15 Different Grab Buckets for Crane Applications.