Abstract: A vertically swingable boom is provided with a downwardly opening grappling fork having horizontally swingable tines that are operated in unison by mechanism reciprocable vertically across the outer end of the boom. Power is supplied to the mechanism via a vertically swingable rocker and a fluid pressure piston and cylinder assembly lying along the boom and having a ram coupled with the rocker that reciprocates toward and away from the fork. Special geometrical and tolerance relationships between the tines and the plunger mechanism permit certain of the tines to move more deeply into the grappled load than others if disproportionate resistances are encountered, all without subjecting the fork, the connecting mechanism, and the ram to excessive bending forces.