Caterpillar rolled out several new attachments for material handlers and excavators at ConExpo 2026, designed to increase productivity on earthmoving, recycling and demolition sites.
New work tools include:
4- and 5-tine GSV vertical cylinder orange peel grapples designed to match 20- to 40-ton material handlers and 14- to 31-ton excavators.
A new SD thumb-bucket combining the present Cat SD and Pro Series thumb into one tool, available for Cat 313 to 352 excavators.
S- and HC-S-compatible buckets that cover general to severe duty applications for Cat 313 to 340 excavator models.
Vertical Cylinder Grapples
The new Cat GSV420 and GSV425 orange peel grapples for material handlers tout faster cycle times, increased capability and reduced maintenance costs.
GSV stands for “grapple scrap vertical” and designates a semi-open vertical cylinder configuration. Cat’s GSH, or “grapple scrap horizontal,” configuration, currently on the market, has cylinders that are integrated in the tines. Having the cylinders exposed allows for simplified service and daily checks, said Chad Bixby, Senior Sales Manager, Caterpillar.
“Based on extensive customer feedback, we targeted performance characteristics, efficiency and versatility for these new GSV models. These semi-open tine options meet a wide range of customer needs,” adds Bixby. “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.”
Cat has offered the five-tine GSV configuration in Europe for several years. The four-tine configuration represents a completely new model and is designed to more easily remove scrap from the corners of containers, as well as applications involving larger steel scrap, pipes and beams. Multiple sizes are available to match 20- to 40-ton material handlers and 14- to 31-ton excavators.
Cat redesigned the curvature of the tines to improve the overall grapple fill factor by up to 140% to 200%. A new rotation system is matched with up to 160% higher flow capacity, compared to the previous model.
Built for durability, lighter, force-distributing cast pieces help to prolong grapple life, while abrasion-resistant upper and lower grapple housing stops prevent the cylinders from overextending and helps avoid unnecessary hinge-point wear. The cast tine tips are easy to replace. High-grade steel construction for inner tines and tips also help to prolong service life.
Partner Insights
Information to advance your business from industry suppliers
The time before the first service interval has been extended to decrease maintenance time. The grapples also feature ground-level grease points and easier to access hydraulics. By rerouting the integral hydraulics Cat says it was able to decrease tension on hoses and eliminate interference with materials.
Cat asset tracking is available within VisionLink, alongside Product Link subscribed equipment for the new GSV grapples. The new GSV420 and GSV425 are available to customers in North America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Caterpillar SD Thumb Bucket AttachmentCaterpillarSevere Duty Thumb-Buckets
With its new SD thumb-bucket, Cat combined its SD and Pro Series thumb into one tool, delivering strong clamping power for a range of material moving applications. These severe duty 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, Cat says.
Pin-on and pin-grabber compatible, the new thumb-bucket features enhanced weight, capacity and clamping power.
Unlike previous designs, the thumb can be quickly removed when it is not needed, increasing bucket versatility. Hoses and cylinders mounted on the thumb’s back side with internal hose routing helps protect these components from damage. For added durability and reliability, the thumb is integrated into the bucket’s structure.
Cat plans to make the SD thumb-bucket available to North American customers in early to mid-2027.
Caterpillar Severe Duty Bucket AttachmentCaterpillarVersatile 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 portfolio covers both general duty (GD) and severe duty (SD) buckets for Cat 313 to 340 excavators equipped with S interface couplers.
“The beauty of it is you can maintain productivity and safety on the site because you can engage and disengage the bucket without being out of the cab,” says Bixby. “Most people on jobsites get hurt on ingress and egress, so being able to keep that operator in the cab helps with safety. It also helps with productivity because you’re not getting out of the cab when your hydromechanical tool is attached and you want to go to a digging configuration.”
The new buckets are designed for dirt, rock, sand and gravel, demolition debris, and concrete peeling applications.
The S interface buckets are based on Cat Pin-on buckets. Straight side plates are built to perform in a range of materials. Advansys ground engaging tool side cutters or side bar protectors, depending on bucket design, further enhance durability and performance.
The new buckets will be available to North American customers in the second quarter of 2026.
To see all of the products and technologies unveiled at ConExpo 2026, check out our show coverage page here.
Caterpillar SD Thumb Bucket AttachmentCaterpillar
Caterpillar SD Thumb Bucket AttachmentCaterpillar
Caterpillar Severe Duty Bucket AttachmentCaterpillar
