Grapple

A grapple for attachment to a boom of a hoisting machine for handling poles comprising:

• an elongated supporting frame,
• support saddles mounted adjacent each of said support frame,
• means for pivotally attaching said supporting frame to a boom at approximately the mid-point of said supporting frame and means associated with said attaching means for rotating said supporting frame between substantially vertical and substantially horizontal positions,
• an arcuate brace plate fixedly attached to said supporting frame at approximately the mid-point thereof,
• a pair of arcuate arms each being hingedly connected at one end thereof to said brace plate, said arms each having a first sprocket journalled at the distal end thereof and a second sprocket journalled at approximately the mid-point of the arc of said arms and outside of said arc,
• means for pivoting said arms between open and closed positions,
• sprocket means attached to said supporting frame and journalled therein,
• endless chain means passing around said first and second sprockets and said sprocket means and adapted to substantially encircle and grip a pole when said arms are pivoted to said closed position,
• means permitting adjustment of said support saddles toward and away from said supporting frame for engaging a pole above and below said arms, and
• means for reversibly driving said endless chain means around said first and second sprockets and said sprocket means for rotating a pole gripped thereby about its longitudinal axis.