Helac PowerGrip

[Brian Hay]

Does anyone have one of these? We have a Helac PowerTilt on our machine and I love it. I think the PowerGrip would be a great attachment for our machine.

http://www.helac.com/construction/powergrip.asp

[RockSet N' Grade]

I have looked at the powertilt and have always felt it was an awesome idea. the powergrip would surely add versatility and negate ( in most instances ) the need for a thumb. I believe it would be a wise move to add that to your aresenal of weapons. I ( probably you too ) got introduced to them on Heavy Equipment Forum and would consider that configuration if I was to get a new machine and start from scratch. Another item that peaked my interest is (can't remember the name of it) the unit that allows the bucket to swing 360 degrees and dig away from you as well as towards you.....they seem to be standard in Europe. I would go for the power grip in a heart beat since you already have the power-tilt.

[Brian Hay]

Here is a link to one that gives rotation. http://www.rototilt.cc/rototilt.html

One of the first things most people seam to be asking me is if I have a thumb. I think the PowerGrip would open a lot of doors for us, it will be our next investment for sure.

[RockSet N' Grade]

Powergrip bucket negates the need for a thumb for you.......I would get it now, so you can say "yes" to those asking. I believe it will pay for itself in "jobs got" vs. "jobs lost" in a very short period of time......Take the payment plan, get it, and pay it off sooner if you can. I really don't think you can afford to be without that capability.

[Brian Hay]

I should be able to get one soon. We are taking the payout money from our truck that got stolen and putting it straight towards a PowerGrip. I'm torn between going with a 24 or 30 inch...any thoughts on that anyone?

[RockSet N' Grade]

My most commonly used bucket is 24". It is small enough to go between stuff, yet large enough. That would be my choice with no hesitation.

[ksss]

I am curious as to what advantage this gives over a thumb. I can see where you could grade trenches with it. It reminds me of a 4 in 1 for a backhoe or skid steer just on a smaller level.

The advantages of a thumb I think are many over this set up. You can switch bucket size and still have a thumb. The little hyd. lines coming off the bucket look fragile to me. A thumb is much simpler in design. The mechanism which is all internal has to be somewhat complex IE expensive when it goes down. The gripping ability and the size of objects that can be handled looks rather small compared to a thumb.

I would have to have specific need for this attachment. I switch buckets often enough that, that alone would be a no go for me. They say it is built tough and I am sure it is but one day you will have to have that torn down and fixed and that will likely mean down time and maybe a shipping bill. I think the attachment you are refering to RSG is the Rototilt (rototilt.com) very awesome and expensive but I saw the demo at ConExpo and it was very impressive. Maybe this would be an option. They are made in Canada somewhere if I recall correctly.

[RockSet N' Grade]

The main reason I would go with the power grip bucket is because he already has the power tilt. If Brian didn't already have the power tilt, the thumb may be a better choice.....

[Construct'O]

Thumb wouldn't work with the power tilt very good would it.The thumb wouldn't move with the bucket when tilted .

Maybe i'm wrong,but can't see other then when you had the bucket straight with the thumb that it would work where with the power grip bucket it is all togather?

Plus at times with the power tilt the thumb would be sticking out in the way?

Unless there is something i'm not understanding.Imagine that:):usflag:

[RockSet N' Grade]

Constructo...you said it better than I when explaining the "why for".......

[Brian Hay]

The only disadvantage I can see is like Ksss says the thumb goes with the bucket. But for me that is an advantage over a thumb. I don't want the extra weight when I'm working on steep slopes unless I need it and it only takes me five minutes to swap buckets. Having the 'thumb' move with the bucket is an advantage for sure too.

It looks complicated but actually it's not. My dealer gave me a dvd on it and it shows an exploded view of the internal parts. There are just a couple of simple gears inside. It works in the same way the PowerTilt does. I have no first hand experience yet with the PowerGrip but our PowerTilt so far has been completely trouble free. We bought it used, I'm sure it had a lot of hours on it before we got it and I think it has lots more left in it.

I don't see why it would be limited in the size of objects it could pick? Maybe from the picture in the link? It's not fully open there. The first pic in this post is from the page I linked to, next two are from the applications stories on their website and the last two are my PowerTilt. The PowerGrip has 120 degrees of movement and will open all the way. As for clamping force, I don't know how much power it has compared to a thumb but it's consistent power throughout the full range of movement. In the videos I have it looks like it has plenty of power, the rocks and stumps it's playing with are as big as anything I would need to pick up.

The RotoTilt looks like a great unit but a little out of our budget for now, maybe later.

[stuvecorp]

Brian, you have an extendahoe, right? Is it possible to even put a thumb on? For you it sounds that the Powergrip would work. I found a 30" WainRoy jaw bucket that is close to the Powergrip, don't know how comparable that would be, but it was like $1200.

[Brian Hay]

That is a very good point, yes I do have an extendahoe. I don't know how that would work.

I went and found the WainRoy Jaw bucket on Google. Looks really good, here is a link. If you click on it in the list you get all the specs. $1200 is a great deal, how do you like it? Use it much?....wanna sell it? :rolleyes:

On a side note holy crap is this site ever powerful! Your post is already indexed on the first page in Google.

[stuvecorp]

I found the jaw bucket on the interweb, not mine. I am wondering about it for my 135, I don't have a thumb and thought it could work. If you are interested, I can send you the info because I am not sure yet.

[Brian Hay]

I might be interested, for the price I think it would be worth checking it out. Depends what it would take to ship it here.

[Brian Hay]

I ordered a 30" PowerGrip direct from the factory :cool2: will be 4 to 6 weeks getting here though.

[stuvecorp]

I ordered a 30" PowerGrip direct from the factory :cool2: will be 4 to 6 weeks getting here though.

That's cool, the only bad part is having to wait for it, right?

[Brian Hay]

Yes that is bad, I have some rock walls to build that I will be starting next week. Sure would be nice to have it for those but I can still do it, it will just take longer is all.

[RockSet N' Grade]

Brian, share your pics and your rock-setting style when you "rock". I am always interested in seeing how others approach and do it. I don't think you will regret the power-grip at all.....the versatility you get should add to an increase in desirability and work load...

[bobcat_ron]

I tried to "rock" but I just don't have an eye for it and patience is key.

[Brian Hay]

This will be my first time rockin, I'm anxious to get started on it. I just put up the before pics on my site, I will go start a thread on it here too RockSet. Maybe you will have some tips for me.

[Brian Hay]

I posted pics of the project over here http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=231055
I will try and update the progress each night as I go.

[RockSet N' Grade]

Brian, look up on the net "rockery rules and regulations" for a starter. Here is just one tip for you to start with.......your base rock should be "toed" into the ground and not set "on" the ground. Your base rock, as a general rule, should be buried 1/2 way into the rough grade and then your wall stacked on top of that..........if you do not do that, huge probability your wall will fail.

[bobcat_ron]

Just in case some of you don't hang around the Landscaping forums here, here's a good excuse:

http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?p=2330809#post2330809

[Brian Hay]

I got it and have had a few days to work it building a wall with large granite boulders. It is one slick unit, I love it!

[stuvecorp]

Does the bucket leave any marks/scratches on the rocks? Do you think after using it some that a bucket like that could replace a thumb?

[Brian Hay]

It doesn't mark up the rocks much if your careful, minor scratches. I cant think of anything a thumb can do that it can't and it is lighter then a thumb too. In my opinion it could definitely replace a thumb.

[Junior M]

that would be great when you are loading trucks or moving dirt cuz it is like a four way bucket you can most all the dirt where you cant with a regular bucket..... i wonder what is the biggest size bucket that comes on?

[RockSet N' Grade]

Jlm........the question is not how big a bucket they make powergrip for, the question is how big do you want it and what size is your machine? Helac will make that powergrip for medium sized machines all the way up to the big boys. Brian, good for you........that will be a very versaltile tool for you.....you will wonder how you worked without it. If you are going to do alot of rock setting, be prepared for excesssive wear on the bladed edges and think ahead for a way to replace or prolong their life.......setting rock is extremely abrasive. Don't drop one of those bad boys on spyders leg.......hate to see him go to the machine hospital for a broken leg. :)

[bobcat_ron]

That's the only type of bucket I would ever buy, you know how easy it would be to pick up the last bit of gravel off a road with out resorting to using a shovel and broom?!?!

That's why I like combo buckets on loaders!