Strong grip, a quality JPS saw unit, a tough frame, and an optional rotator all point to the TMK Grapple Saw, available from Forest Centre in Tumut, being a durable and cost-effective attachment.
Forest Centre launched the TMK Grapple Saw in Australia at the 2026 National Diesel, Dirt & Turf Expo in Sydney with live demonstrations on a 15-tonne excavator. Representatives from the TMK sales and marketing team were in attendance and later incorporated a couple of customer visits into their itinerary.
The TMK received plenty of attention as it went through its paces, but it was on the work site that it showed its quality.
Features
“The TMK Grapple Saw is a good match for 14-20-tonne excavators here in Australia,” said Rey Kell, Director at Forest Centre in Tumut, NSW. “It’s ideal for anyone who needs to get to work quickly and easily cutting trunk and branch sections up to 650mm diameter.”
There are several features of the TMK Grapple Saw that make it simple to set up for commercial arbor work, including:
* A host machine needs only a case drain line and two work-tool hydraulic circuits for the TMK – one dedicated to the 360-degree rotator and the other delivering oil to the grapple function by default;
* TMK’s own switching valve, housed on the grapple frame, is activated by the operator with added joystick buttons to swap from grapple to saw-related functions;
* the function changeover is controlled via TMK’s wireless kit, pre-fitted as standard on the grapple, and powered by the customer’s choice of DeWalt, Milwaukee or Makita 18V batteries;
* a supplied cabin kit includes the wireless transmitter, with a wiring harness for power connection and additional joystick switches. Spare buttons on the factory controls can be used if available, or, if necessary, the hand pieces can be upgraded; and
* the control components are included in the OEM supply scope and covered accordingly in the user manuals for safety and compliance purposes.
Chain tensioning
Saw-chain tensioning normally falls under two categories for this type of attachment: via a screw adjustment – like a handheld chainsaw, only larger; or with hydraulic tensioning that applies constant pressure while the saw function is activated. TMK has fitted a proven saw unit from JPS Sweden, with a hydraulic manual tensioner the operator can activate from the cab at the push of a button to tighten and, conveniently for maintenance tasks, slacken the chain.
Secondary cutting system
A discreet rectangular cut-out just above the saw unit houses a sharpened Hardox blade – a hydraulic-cylinder-driven shear capable of cutting stems up to 150mm diameter, activated by one of the TMK wireless add-on switches. Having the option of using the shear offers relief from the frustration of time lost re-fitting derailed saw chains – a common occurrence when cutting smaller pieces with a saw-cutting unit.
Different
The maximum distance between the jaws of a grapple when fully opened can be an important metric to compare attachments. Forestry bunching or loading grapples have long curved jaws with the widest possible opening distance and a large, circular gripping area when closed around a load.
The jaws of the TMK are a different shape and relatively short compared to those of a log grapple. The gripping area when closing is almost triangular for most of the jaw’s travel, and the grapple geometry is optimised for secure holding of a single branch or trunk section, while also allowing easier manoeuvrability with the attachment in the tree.
It’s something to consider when weighing up the balance of working tasks for a new attachment – how much it will be working from the tree versus working on the ground in sorting, cleaning up, loading, and related tasks.
“There’s a lot of value packed into this unit,” said Kell, “and at this price and feature level the TMK Grapple Saw may be attractive to businesses growing into the mechanised tree-care space.
“While still ticking boxes for build quality and being fit-for-purpose, there’s a lower level of commitment here in financial and practical terms for installation on one machine. This could be an important factor for operators not cutting full time, and more frequently tasking excavators with other work tools. Thanks to the TMK wireless system, the process of swapping the grapple saw over to another machine with the same quick-hitch specs, either within the fleet or if upgrading, is straightforward,” he said.
Hands-on experience
The features all sounded great as Kell explained them, but the real test was when the attachment was handed over to Jon Rogash, Director at Granite Group.
Rogash and Granite Group were introduced to The Australian Arbor Age magazine back in the August/September 2024 issue when he’d just taken delivery of a Woodcracker CS750 Smart grapple saw from Forest Centre, and then in August/September 2025 when he put a 365HP chipper to work. He was happy to share his thoughts on the new gear.
When someone with that kind of experience has something to say about equipment, it’s worth hearing.
“We’re always upgrading and moving forward at Granite Group,” said Rogash, “and Rey asked if we’d like to trial the TMK. The TMK guys were here from Finland, and they were amazing. They’re the only manufacturer we’ve had come out of their factory to get to know the people using their equipment. Along with Rey from Forest Centre, they made the effort to travel down here to Victoria so I could run the grapple saw.
“We rigged it up on our 14-tonner and we’ve been running it for a couple of weeks.
“It has good grip strength, and the angle of the tines allows it to hang on to the logs. It also has the shear blade, so instead of activating the saw for small-diameter timber or bunches of small stuff and throwing chains, you can activate the shear. I thought that was a good feature.”
Rogash was impressed with the ease of fitting the TMK as well. With other equipment he’s had to upgrade electronics or hydraulics, but with the TMK it’s relatively straightforward.
“There are five hoses,” he said. “The two main hoses, the two low-pressure hoses for rotation, and a case drain. The simplicity is just there. It’s easy and quick to hook up.”
Build quality received the Rogash nod of approval, and the Mornington Peninsula tree worker had a high opinion of the TMK Grapple Saw after his time working it.
“We’re really impressed,” he said. “I’d give it 8.5 out of 10.” A solid first impression for the new release, and from a manufacturer most widely known for its innovative tree shears.
For more information on the TMK Grapple Saw, visit tmkmachinery.com or reach out to the Forest Centre team.
