Grab (Crane Attachment): Types, Brands & Uses
A grab is a crane attachment, an essential piece of bulk-handling port equipment, used to pick up, move, and discharge loose materials such as coal, grain, sand, scrap, and ore. Without a grab a crane hook can only move packaged or unitised cargo, so the grab is what turns a port crane into a bulk-handling machine.
How a grab works
A grab has two or more shells (buckets) that close to scoop material and open to release it. How the shells are driven defines the grab type, and the shell shape defines what cargo it suits. Shell geometry, closing force, weight, and sealing decide how much material is captured per cycle and how little leaks out.
Types of grab
| Type | How it works / best for |
|---|---|
| Mechanical rope grab (two- or four-rope) | Opened and closed by the crane's winches, no power on the grab; robust, common on bulk cranes |
| Motor grab | Self-contained electric drive; for single-rope and mobile harbour cranes |
| Hydraulic / electro-hydraulic grab | Powered shells for precise, high-cycle work on cranes with a power supply |
| Clamshell grab | Two shells for free-flowing bulk (grain, sand, coal) |
| Orange-peel grab | Multiple tines for scrap, rock, and bulky waste |
Leading manufacturers
| Brand | Note |
|---|---|
| Nemag (Netherlands) | Four-rope mechanical grabs, founded 1924 |
| Verstegen (Netherlands) | World leader in rope-operated mechanical grabs |
| PEINER SMAG (Germany) | Mechanical and electro-hydraulic grabs |
| ORTS (Germany) | Mechanical, motor-hydraulic, and electro-hydraulic grabs |
Typical use cases
- Discharging dry bulk vessels (coal, grain, biomass, fertiliser)
- Handling scrap metal and recycling cargo with orange-peel grabs
- Stockpile and barge handling at bulk and general cargo terminals
Used market pricing (2026)
Grab prices depend on volume (m³), type, drive, and condition. Indicative used ranges run from a few thousand euros for a small mechanical clamshell to €60,000+ for a large electro-hydraulic or four-rope grab. A worn or poorly sealed grab can cost significantly more once reconditioning is factored in.
Browse used grabs for sale on Portneeds, the dedicated port equipment marketplace.
