Grapple unit for logging vehicles

Claim 1

A logging machine comprising a vehicle, arch means movably arranged on one end of the vehicle, and a grapple unit supported by the arch means, the grapple unit including a structural plate assembly having a pair of plates secured together in spaced apart relation to form an enclosed region therebetween, the structural plate assembly being secured to the arch means on one side while forming a gripping edge on a generally opposite side, a pair of grapple arms extending outwardly from the enclosed region of the structural plate assembly adjacent the gripping edge, a single motor means arranged within the enclosed region of the plate assembly and in protected relationship between the plates thereof, and means interconnecting the motor means with the two grapple arms and pivotably anchoring the motor mean-s and grapple arms on the structural plate assembly so that operation of the motor means causes the grapple arms to open away from each other and to close toward each other and toward the gripping edge to secure logs and the like of varying sizes.