Product Showcase
HSP Gripen of Sweden: For Tough Jobs and Heavy Lifting
In 1994, our grapples were born in the small village of Hassela, Sweden. One of Sweden’s many forestry machine operators grew tired of the poor product range and mediocre quality of grapples available and decided to start developing and manufacturing his own grapples. He had an idea of what was required from a grapple and what it should look like for it to work efficiently and last a long time. A good 30 years later, HSP Gripen ("Gripen" is the Swedish word for grapple) has become a global leader within the forestry grapple manufacturing sector. HSP Gripen has over 80 dealers in 30+ countries around the world and approximately 65% of the company’s total production goes to the overseas market. Even though HSP Gripen is not as well-known as other brands in the North American market at the current time, HSP Gripen can be ordered on new equipment from all of the major OEM providers of cut-to-length machines. As the quality and functionality of Gripen grapples becomes more well-known in the region, we expect loggers to see the advantages and choose Gripen grapples for their ease of use and longevity.
Today, HSP Gripen has all its production based in Hudiksvall located at the east coast in mid-Sweden. HSP Gripen manufactures grapples completely on their own, from the drawing board to finished product, hydraulic cylinders included. This ensures top quality and precision at every step. The company develops, manufactures, and markets hydraulic grapples for material handling equipment under the Gripen brand and product name. Its main applications include forestry transport on forwarders and log trucks, log loaders, material handling and sorting using construction equipment, as well as large volume timber handling in ports and terminals.
At HSP Gripen, the latest manufacturing techniques are used to produce grapples of the absolute highest quality. It starts with the best materials - steel of highest quality - like Hardox and Strenx. In our production, we use laser cutting technology as well as welding robots for efficient manufacturing. Production is completed via auto turning and multi-operation machining using state-of-the-art equipment and technology. To achieve the best surface finish, the grapples are degreased, sandblasted and pre-treated before being powder coated. By powder coating our grapples, you get a working partner that can endure the elements over many years of service.
One of the defining attributes of a Gripen grapple is the use of dual hydraulic cylinders as the standard design. All but the smallest grapples have dual hydraulic cylinders for low shaft loads, and end position damping for particularly good operating characteristics. Together with the double stiffening tubes, this results in an extremely stable and powerful grapple. Dual hydraulic cylinders also provide a low and even axle load – meaning less wear. This improves closing stability and is a well-thought-out design bringing ease of use – driving pleasure – to a new level. The cylinders are cushioned and the unique jaw design provides smooth roll-in and the best fill rate. In simple words, it is about how gently the grapple enters the material and how easily it fills and unloads without creating difficulties. The unique shape of the claws improves timber handling and results in superior filling volume. And not least, the grapple maintains its power and performance over time.
Gripen grapples are designed so that you will be able to maintain a high level of productivity and at a high work speed. All grapples have a low-profile and are light so that they take up little space and are easy to transport and provide additional lifting height. Gripen uses expander bolts on all grapples as standard equipment. Prior to dispatching our grapples, they undergo thorough evaluation at our testing facility, known as the EOL (End of Line Test). This ensures that every grapple meets our high standards of quality and performance, preparing them for the tough jobs and heavy lifting we hope they are destined for.
Gripen also offers a saw cassette for both excavator and rotator attachment. It is a productive add-on length cutting, cutting bioenergy materials or tree parts. This can be ideal for cutting work in more residential or urban environments or with storm damage clean-up. Individually adaptable for each grapple model.
In September 2010, the company was acquired by Johan Hedin and Tomas Jonsson, both with extensive experience in the machinery and forestry industry. Tomas Jonsson subsequently became the sole owner in April 2017.
“We are happy and proud to become a trusted part of Wallingford's network in the North American market,” says Tomas Jonsson, owner of HSP Gripen. “Gripen is already an established brand in the forestry sector in the Swedish and Nordic markets. We have, however, sold and delivered our grapples to the North American market already since 2000, so with this collaboration we see the potential in gearing up and expand further together with Wallingford's Inc.,” Jonsson continues.
“HSP Gripen has just launched a new 4-year plan where the company will double its sales volume by 2028. This includes, in addition to a couple of new products, to grow our business outside our home markets, so this is completely in line with our business plan and we are very much looking forward to the new collaboration” says Maria Flöjt, CEO at HSP Gripen.
Wallingford’s Inc., member of pewag group, is privileged to have the opportunity to distribute HSP Gripen of Sweden, one of the largest global manufacturers of forestry, construction, and terminal grapples, to the North American market.
“We have been pleased with the quality of the product line and the support HSP Gripen has given us during this first year of our relationship” stated Chip Wallingford, President of Wallingford’s Inc. “Gripen has a broad product line and we hope as time goes by, we will be able to get more of these grapples out in the market because they speak for themselves once experienced operators have a chance to run them.”
Wallingford’s Inc., with its head office in Oakland, Maine has distribution facilities in New Hampshire, Oregon, Quebec, New Brunswick and Alberta. Founded in 1975 and celebrating our 50th anniversary this year, Wallingford’s is the largest wholesale distributor of logging supplies in North America. Since December 2021, Wallingford’s, Inc. is a member of the Pewag Group, a global leading company in traction devices and industrial chain solutions (founded 1479) headquartered in Austria.
To learn more visit: www.wallingfords.com , www.hsp.se/en or call 1-800-323-3708.