New product "The Claw and Thumb"

One of the problems that contractors face is equipping a machine for digging and log handling and being able to switch between the two a number of times a day. The problem that forestry roading contractors face is that they are always on the move and keeping buckets, rippers and other tools close to the machine is time consuming. As well they need to be able to handle logs and then move on.

Gough Engineering's solution was the construction of a tool we call 'The Claw' which is a double shank ripper fitted with Caterpillar tips. Between the ripper shanks a blade has been included to level and remove material. The unit is attached to the machine using a quick hitch so it is easy to fit a digging or bulk handling buckets when required.

The thumb can be easily positioned in the storage position that allows normal bucket operations. 

To turn 'The Claw' into a grapple a thumb can been attached to the quick coupler mount or to a mount welded to the stick. When the grapple function is required a fixed link is positioned and the quick coupler picks up 'The Claw'.

The fixed link is stored on the machines car body so it is always closed at hand when required.

Early reports on performance exceed customer expectations and overall flexibility that this attachment provides has improved machine utilization. Both 'The Claw' and Thumb can be supplied separately.