This grapple is one of the many types of potato barrel grapples. It was used most frequently during harvest for loading barrels onto trucks in the potato field.

The attached rope is pulled by an electric or hydraulic hoist. The grapple is tossed from the truck over the top of the barrel. When the rope pulls up the two semi-circle hoops clamp down and grip the barrel. There are three teeth on each hoop that are filed sharp. These teeth are usually welded onto the grapple.

This grapple was favored by many farm workers because it could easily be thrown ahead of the truck to grip the barrel. Many workers would like to load without stopping the truck.

The disadvantage of this type of hoop is that it sticks to the barrel. When the barrel is loaded, the worker usually has to kick the grapple off. This is a minor inconvenience if you are looking for speed. It is for this reason that you seldom see this type of grapple in the potato house.