Grapple bucket with debris bag hanger and autonomous strap release

A grapple bucket with debris bag hanger, the grapple controllably movably coupled to a boom, and the grapple adapted to lift and move a debris bag having at least one lifting strap, the grapple comprising:

• a first grapple jaw and a second grapple jaw pivotally mounted on a bucket axle, both jaws configured to controllably pivot on the axle from a substantially open jaw position to a partly closed jaw position;
• an elongated hanger having one end mounted on the first jaw above the axle and a strap carrying region at a terminal end opposite the one end, the hanger extending transversely over the axle in the open jaw position;
• and
• a wiper mounted to the second jaw and defining, in the open jaw position, a wiper surface adjacent the strap carrying region;
• and
• the strap carrying region and the terminal end foreshortened to arcuately bypass the wiper surface during a pivotal transition from the open jaw position to the partly closed jaw position.

A method of lifting, carrying and depositing a debris-carrying bag having at least one lifting strap with a truck having a boom terminating in a grapple bucket, the grapple defining a first jaw and a second jaw which pivot on a bucket axle, both jaws configured to controllably pivot on the axle from a substantially open jaw position to a partly closed jaw position, the method comprising:

• placing the at least one strap onto a foreshortened strap carrying region of an elongated hanger, the hanger extending transversely over the axle in the open jaw position;
• after placement of the at least one strap on the foreshortened strap carrying region, lifting the debris-carrying bag with the grapple and the boom with the grapple in the open jaw position;
• while the jaws pivot on the axle from the open jaw position to the partly closed jaw position, pushing the at least one strap off the foreshortened strap carrying region with a wiper mounted on the second jaw;
• creating a gap between a terminal end of the foreshortened strap carrying region and the wiper while the jaws pivot to the partly closed jaw position;
• and
• off-loading the lifting strap from foreshortened strap carrying region with the wiper substantially simultaneously upon creation of the gap and depositing the debris-carrying bag by the wiper pushing the at least one strap off the wiper surface.