Abstract: A lifting device for lifting manhole tops and manhole covers. The lifting device includes a scissor arrangement consisting of two crossed arms. Each arm includes a gripping assembly for grasping a manhole top and a set of hooks for lifting a manhole cover. One of the arms is offset to provide greater gripping ability for the lifting device and to provide a more compact lifting device. Chains are connected to ends of each arm to allow raising of the lifting device. Raising the lifting device by the chains causes the gripping assemblies to come together horizontally and grip the perimeter of the manhole top or, in the case of the manhole cover, the arms come together to set the hooks into slots on the manhole cover. The weight of the object lifted creates a horizontal gripping force to urge the gripping assemblies into lifting contact with the object.

Abstract: A grappling attachment which can be attached to a skid steer loader. A skid steer loader is a common construction vehicle which is small in size and which can be configured to connect to a number of attachments. The grappling attachment attaches to the front end of the skid steer loader and provides the skid steer loader with the capability of reach forward to grab an object to be lifted, grasping the object with grappling fingers, lifting the object, transporting the object with the skid steer loader, and then placing the object at a new location. The grappling attachment includes connection points for quickly attaching the grappling attachment to the skid steer loader.