Silage Grab vs Shear Grab vs Fork: Which Silage-Handling Tool Is Right for You?

Handling silage can either be a slick, well-oiled part of the day or the job that tests your patience before the morning coffee kicks in. There’s no universal tool that nails every job, and anyone who says otherwise probably hasn’t wrestled with half-thawed baleage on a wet morning.

Between pit silage, wrapped bales, and the seasonal chaos that comes with feeding out, the gear you use needs to match the way you actually farm. The wrong attachment doesn’t just waste time and feed; it can turn a simple job into a daily headache.

So, we’re lining up the three main contenders: the silage grab, the shear grab, and the combo fork. Whether you're running a high-output dairy, a lifestyle block with a side hustle, or something in between, this breakdown will help you pick the tool that works as hard as you do.

Silage Grabs (Rata Silage Sabre)

The Rata Silage Sabre™ is built for farms that move serious volumes of silage and expect gear to keep up. Manufactured from high-tensile steel, it is lighter, stronger, and tougher than most grabs on the market, making it ideal for tractors, telehandlers, and skid steers alike. Powerful dual hydraulic rams bite cleanly into the stack, while German-engineered tines backed by tapered conus bushes mean you can clamp and carry heavy, wet feed without flex or fuss.
With a wide jaw opening up to 1510mm, the Sabre easily handles bulk silage or large bales in one go. It also delivers excellent clamping pressure throughout the opening and closing cycle, thanks to clever pin geometry. If you want a reliable workhorse that speeds up feeding while keeping the stack face clean, the Silage Sabre should be top of your list.

Rata Silage Sabre 3.4-1

Shear Grabs (Rata Shear Grab)

The Rata Shear Grab is all about cutting clean and feeding smart. Built from high-tensile steel with a fully filled-in curved front, it’s engineered to leave a tidy, sealed pit face that stops oxygen sneaking in. That helps eliminate secondary fermentation and keeps feed quality high for longer, no waste, no fuss. The serrated knife edge slices straight through dense silage, while the cranked, closely spaced tines and side walls hold everything in place during transport.
With models suited for both tractors and telehandlers, and up to three hydraulic rams on wider units, this isn’t a lightweight gadget, it’s a serious bit of kit. If your focus is on preserving every bit of quality in your clamp, the Shear Grab is a smart investment that keeps feed fresh and operations sharp.

Rata Shear Grab (2) 2025.3.18 Rata Shear Grab 3 2000 pix (1)

Combo Forks (Rata Combo Fork)

The Rata Combo Fork is designed for farmers who need one attachment that can do the job of two. Built to handle both bales and pit silage, it features a heavy-duty RHS frame fitted with high-quality German tines made from silicium spring steel. When it’s time to switch from bale to loose silage handling, the bale tines can be easily removed, giving you full flexibility without faffing around with different attachments.
Tine support is handled by tapered conus bushes, which reduce wear and tear on the base and prevent that dreaded fork slog over time. With widths from 1.2 to 1.8 metres, it’s a tidy fit for most front-end loaders. If your feeding setup changes by the day, or even by the hour, the Combo Fork gives you the adaptability to keep moving without compromise.

Silage Grab vs. Shear Grab vs. Combo Fork: Key Differences at a Glance

Each of these tools does a great job, just not the exact same job. The Silage Sabre is the machine for high-volume pit work where speed and strength matter more than precision. The Shear Grab wins on silage quality, giving you a sealed pit face with minimal wastage. Meanwhile, the Combo Fork offers the flexibility to tackle both bales and loose silage, without switching attachments or slowing down.
Here’s a quick comparison to help you weigh them up:

Feature	Silage Grab (Rata Silage Sabre)	Shear Grab (Rata Shear Grab)	Combo Fork (Rata Combo Fork)

Primary Use	Bulk handling from wagons and pits	Cutting a clean face on silage pits	Handling both bales and loose silage
Key Benefit	Moves large volumes quickly	Reduces spoilage by sealing pit face	Versatile — easily swap between tasks
Ideal For	Large-scale operations, feeding out	Maintaining pit quality, minimising waste	Mixed farms needing flexibility

How to Choose the Best Silage Tool for Your Farm

Picking the right attachment isn’t just about price tags or horsepower, it’s about how well the tool fits your workflow. If you’re shifting tonnes of pit silage every day on a large-scale operation, you’ll save time and fuel with the Silage Sabre. It’s built to move volume quickly and hold up under serious pressure.
But if you’re dealing with spoilage or want to protect feed quality through winter, the Shear Grab will earn its keep by leaving a cleaner clamp face and reducing losses. For farmers running a bit of everything (bales, loose silage, maybe even switching feed types mid-season), the Combo Fork offers the most bang-for-buck versatility.
Also, think about what machines you’re running. Most Rata tools are compatible with tractors, telehandlers, and skid steers, but matching the width, weight, and hydraulic demands is key. Ask yourself: what slows me down now, and which tool would fix that?

Investing in the Right Silage Attachment

A well-chosen silage tool makes feeding out faster, cleaner, and far less of a chore. Backed by serious durability and decades of farmer feedback, these attachments are more than just accessories. They’re built for real-world farming. Whether you’re feeding out daily or just need gear that won’t let you down when the weather turns, we’ve got a tool that fits the job.

Contact us today to chat about your setup and get matched with the silage-handling gear that actually makes your life easier.

Power Claw grapple attachment picking up hay bales