A grapple can be mounted to a truck, tractor, or excavator with a movable arm that may lift, extend/retract, and move side-to-side (pivot or rotate). Some machines also have a separate control for rotating the grapple, also known a tiltrotator.
Simpler grapple machines consist of a hydraulically lift-able fork, rake grapple rake, or bucket and a movable, opposing thumb (one or more hooks or levers) that enclose and grip materials for lifting or dragging.
A demolition bucket or multi-purpose bucket on a loader may also operate as a grapple in this application the bottom and rear side of the bucket are hinged and can be forced apart or together with hydraulic cylinders.