New Grapple Trucks For Sale

New grapple trucks are purpose-built for loading and hauling bulky, irregular material without a separate loader. In this category, buyers are usually comparing the truck chassis, hydraulic crane or knuckleboom, and the body as one working system. Common applications include tree service debris, storm cleanup, municipal brush collection, C&D material, waste handling, and other high-volume pickup work. Grapple trucks are also commonly called knuckleboom grapple trucks, trash grapple trucks, brush trucks, or waste grapple trucks depending on body style and the material being handled.

The first decision is usually size and class. Medium-duty single-axle grapple trucks often run in the 26,000 to 33,000 GVWR range with bodies around 18 to 30 yards, making them practical for urban routes, municipal collection, and tree crews that need maneuverability. Heavier tandem or tri-axle configurations step up to much larger bodies, higher legal payload, and better stability for demanding waste or storm debris work. Wheelbase matters because it affects body length, boom placement, turning radius, and bridge law compliance. Buyers should also compare axle ratings, rear suspension, tire size, and whether the truck uses hydraulic brakes or air brakes, especially if the truck will spend time on hilly routes or run at higher gross weights.

Boom and hydraulic specs drive productivity. A typical new grapple truck may use a behind-cab or rear-mount crane with roughly 19 feet to 26 feet of reach, though some heavy units go farther. Capacity at mid-reach and full extension matters more than headline lift numbers, because brush, stumps, and demolition debris load differently than uniform material. Grapple opening width, rotator performance, control layout, turret seating, and PTO setup all affect cycle times and operator fatigue. Brands such as Pac-Mac, Rotobec, Serco, and other established crane builders are common in this segment. Look closely at oil cooling, hose routing, hydraulic tank capacity, and service access if the truck will see daily stop-and-load work.

Body construction is just as important as the boom. Hardox and other abrasion-resistant steel bodies are common on higher-wear applications because they hold up better against demolition debris, mixed waste, and repeated grapple contact. Buyers should check body yard rating, floor thickness, sidewall construction, hoist capacity, tailgate design, and whether the body is set up more for brush volume or dense material. New units also give buyers a chance to spec the drivetrain for the job, including diesel engine output, Allison automatic or automated manual transmission choices, rear ratio, and PTO compatibility. For municipal fleets and contractors alike, the best new grapple truck is the one with enough hydraulic performance, body durability, and axle capacity to keep payloads legal while minimizing load time and maintenance downtime.