Orange peel grabs – find manufacturers and suppliers

Orange peel grabs are attachments for excavators, cranes or material handling machines that are used for gripping, picking up, moving and sorting bulk or lumpy materials.

They consist of several movable shells - usually 3 to 6 - which close around the material like fingers. These grippers are extremely robust, powerful and designed for continuous operation.

Below you will find an overview of how they work, typical features and the use of orange peel grabs, as well as an overview of their advantages:

How orange peel grabs work:

The mode of operation of orange peel grabs essentially depends on which drive principle they are based on:

1. Electro-hydraulic orange peel grabs:
   These grippers have their own electric drive, which operates an integrated hydraulic pump via an electric motor. The hydraulics in turn move the shells using cylinders. The power is typically supplied via a connection from the crane, e.g. 400 V.
   An integrated control system, often via radio or cable, controls all functions.
   Ideal for stationary cranes, harbor cranes, gantry cranes or indoor cranes. Low maintenance, no emissions. High precision and smooth movements.
2. Diesel-hydraulic orange peel grabs:
   These grabs are self-sufficient and have a diesel engine that drives a hydraulic pump - without any external power supply. They are therefore independent of the carrier device and are often used with simple cable or girder cranes.
   They are usually controlled via a radio remote control.
   Particularly suitable for mobile cranes, scrap yards, ports or transshipment sites without a power supply. Robust solution for hard-to-reach or off-grid locations. Longer running times and higher power reserves, but more maintenance required.
3. Mechanical cable grabs (cable-operated orange peel grabs):
   These grippers do not require their own drive system. Instead, they are moved by two-rope or four-rope cranes, which control the opening and closing via cable winches. These are purely mechanical grabs that are dependent on the movement of the crane ropes.
   A hoist rope lifts the grab. A closing cable pulls the shells together using mechanical kinematics. To open, the closing cable is loosened or lowered.
   Frequently used in port terminals or for loading bulk goods. Very simple design, robust, low maintenance. Low precision, no slewing gear, no hydraulics.

Typical characteristics of orange peel grabs:

1. Number of shells: 3, 4, 5 or 6 - depending on the application: 4- or 5-shell grabs for bulk material, 6-shell grabs for irregular scrap material.
2. Tooth shape / shell shape: Pointed, closed or openwork shells - depending on whether the material is fine, coarse or lumpy.
3. Rotating mechanism: Many models have a 360° rotating mechanism for maximum maneuverability.
4. Material: Highly wear-resistant steel, often with replaceable teeth or shell edges.

Use of orange peel grabs:

Orange peel grabs are versatile and are used in the following areas in particular:

1. Scrap and recycling industry:
For gripping, sorting and moving scrap metal, cables, wrecked cars, scrap parts or electronic scrap.

2. Waste management:
For bulky waste, household waste, mixed waste, construction site waste or compost material.

3. Industry and transshipment:
When loading and unloading ships, wagons or containers - for example with ore, gravel, wood, waste or metals.

4. Construction industry:
For removing demolition material, concrete or steel parts.

5. Port logistics:
For bulk handling of bulk goods such as coal, scrap or gravel.

Advantages of orange peel grabs:

• High holding force even with irregular or bulky materials
• High productivity thanks to fast opening and closing times
• Precise positioning thanks to rotatable suspension
• Robust in continuous operation, even with extreme material use
• Can be used universally with various carriers

Orange peel grabs are therefore central tools in material handling, designed for demanding tasks in harsh environments - efficient, powerful and versatile and adaptable to the task at hand.

Here you will find an overview of the most important criteria to look out for when buying orange peel grabs:

Many technical, economic and operational factors come into play when buying orange peel grabs. These grabs are capital goods that run under high loads over a long period of time - the selection should be made with corresponding care.

• First of all, the grab must fit the material to be moved exactly:
• Bulk material or piece goods: fine-grained materials such as gravel, sand or compost require closed shells. For scrap, roots, construction waste or coarse mixed material, openwork or open shells are more suitable.
• Number of trays and shape: Three- or four-shell grabs are often sufficient for light bulk materials, while heavy, bulky materials require five or six shells.
• Toothed or smooth shells: For scrap and demolition material, the shells should be toothed so that they can grip into the material better.
• The grab must be suitable for the machine on which it is operated:
• Weight and size: it must not exceed the maximum lifting capacity of the excavator or crane.
• Hydraulic system: The orange peel grab must be compatible with the existing hydraulic system (oil pressure, flow rate).
• Connection system: The quick coupler or adapter piece must be precisely matched to the machine - even for existing fleets.
• A 360° slewing gear is almost always required for professional use:
• Hydraulically or electrically controlled: depending on the carrier's control system, the slewing drive must be suitably designed.
• Precision and controllability: Sensitive control of the slewing system is particularly important for sorting and handling work.
• The load on orange peel grabs is high - so quality and durability are crucial:
• Steel quality: look for wear-resistant, high-strength steel, e.g. Hardox.
• Replaceable parts: shell blades, teeth and bolts should be wear-resistant and replaceable.
• Weld seams and protective plates: Processing and protective devices, e.g. for cylinders, should meet industrial standards.
• A gripper must not only function - it must also be quick to service in the event of a problem:
• Spare parts supply: Availability of parts, fast delivery, easy assembly.
• Ease of maintenance: Access to bearings, bolts, lubrication points etc. should be possible in a workshop.
• In addition to the purchase price, many economic considerations play a role:
• Total cost of ownership (TCO): How high are wear costs, maintenance intervals, failure risks?
• Energy efficiency: Hydraulically well-tuned systems consume less fuel or energy.
• Resale value: High-quality branded products retain their value much better.
• The orange peel grab must comply with current safety standards:
• CE marking and conformity with machinery directives are mandatory.
• Safety valves and cylinder protection plates can prevent injuries and damage.
• Overload protection and non-return valves are useful in many applications.

When purchasing orange peel grabs, you should not only consider the price, but also keep an eye on the overall interaction between the area of application, machine compatibility, material quality, maintainability and cost-effectiveness. A careful selection leads to higher productivity, less downtime and a significantly longer service life of the device.

Orange peel grabs can be purchased from various suppliers. You will find comprehensive information on manufacturers and suppliers of Orange peel grabs around the world on Exportpages.