ConExpo-Con/AGG 2026 set the stage for Caterpillar to highlight the new Cat GSV orange peel grapple offering, plus SD thumb-bucket and S and HC-S compatible buckets for a broad range of Cat hydraulic excavators and material handlers.
With two 4-tine sizes available, the new GSV vertical cylinder models match 20- to 40-ton material handlers and 14- to 31-ton excavators. Both the SD thumb-bucket are available for Cat 313 to 352 excavators, and S and HC-S compatible buckets are designed for Cat 313 to 340 models equipped with S interface couplers.
Faster, More Efficient Grapples
Offering more options to fit customer needs, the new Cat GSV420 and GSV425 feature faster cycle times and increased capabilities compared to previous designs, allowing customers to move more material in a day. Lighter weight and more efficient, the new Cat GSV models increase overall grapple productivity, while reducing maintenance costs, according to Caterpillar.
"Based on extensive customer feedback, we targeted performance characteristics, efficiency and versatility for these new GSV models," said Chad Bixby, senior sales manager of Caterpillar. "These semi-open tine options meet a wide range of customer needs. These models offer increased hydraulic flow capacity and cast parts replace welds to improve durability and reduce weight, so operators can move more tons per hour more efficiently."
A refined tine curvature improves overall grapple fill factor up to 140 to 200 percent, while a new rotation system is matched with up to 160 percent higher flow capacity, compared to the previous model. Lighter, force-distributing cast pieces help to prolong grapple life, according to Caterpillar.
Featuring abrasion-resistant upper and lower grapple housing stops, the new design prevents cylinders from overextending and helps avoid unnecessary hinge-point wear. Easy-to-replace cast tine tips plus high-grade steel construction for inner tines and tips help to prolong service life, according to Caterpillar.
Optimized to manage large and shredded scrap materials, these new semi-open tine models work best for applications involving larger steel scrap, pipes and beams. Compared to the previous design, customers enjoy considerably more usage time before the first service interval to help decrease maintenance time.
Ground- level grease points increase maintenance efficiency and help to improve safety. Easier to access hydraulics simplifies system maintenance and rerouting of integral hydraulics decreases tension on hoses and eliminates interference with materials.
Cat asset tracking is available within VisionLink, alongside product link subscribed equipment for the new GSV grapples. These new models are currently available to customers in North America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Powerful Severe Duty Thumb-Buckets
Delivering critical clamping power for a wide range of material moving applications, the new Cat SD thumb-bucket combines the Cat SD and Cat Pro series thumb into one tool. These severe duty Cat buckets are designed for low- to high-abrasion applications with low- to medium-impact, such as brush and land clearing, rock and boulder handling, concrete and secondary and primary demolition applications.
Pin-on and Pin-grabber compatible, the new thumb-bucket features enhanced weight, capacity and clamping power to deliver superior performance. A departure from previous designs, when the thumb is not required, it can be quickly removed, increasing bucket versatility, according to Caterpillar.
Hose and cylinder mounting on the thumb's back side with internal hose routing inherently helps to protect these components. For added durability and reliability, the thumb is integrated into the bucket's structure.
The previewed SD thumb-bucket at ConExpo-Con/AGG has planned commercial availability of early to mid- 2027 for North American customers.
Versatile S Buckets
Caterpillar's new line of S and HC-S compatible buckets cover S and HC-S 60, 70 and 80 couplers, plus tilt rotate system (TRS) attachments equipped with S or HC-S bottom couplers. The broad portfolio covers both general duty (GD) and severe duty (SD) buckets for Cat 313 to 340 excavators equipped with S interface couplers.
The new buckets provide performance in a wide array of applications, including dirt, rock, sand and gravel, demolition debris and concrete peeling. The S interface buckets are based off the Cat Pin-on buckets, delivering optimal excavator performance while delivering the durability and reliability customers expect, according to Caterpillar.
Straight side plates deliver optimal performance in a range of materials from dirt to rock, package with Advansys ground engaging tool (GET) side cutters or side bar protectors, depending on bucket design, to enhance durability and performance.
These new bucket designs continue Caterpillar's expansion of S-coupler work tools to meet a wide range of applications from digging and hammering to scrap processing and demolition. Planned commercial availability for these buckets is Q2 2026 in North America.
For more information, visit cat.com.
