There's a lot you can say about a grab . The train operator can tell if it's right.

As seen from the cab

Specifications are important: clamping force, weight, capacity, material, and rotation. But ultimately, a grab isn’t evaluated based on a product sheet. The assessment is made from inside the cab. How well does the grab pick up the material? How precisely can the operator work with it? How does it perform under harsh conditions? And does it remain just as reliable even after intensive use?

‍

That is precisely why Zijtveld places great value on the experiences of train operators in their day-to-day work.

‍

Where Technology and Practice Meet

A good example is H. van Steenwijk Construction Company, which is using a Zijtveld grab to replace a quay wall in the heart of Amsterdam. The operator explains how he uses the grab to remove the old quay wall and which features are important for this task.

‍

This is where technology and practice come together—not through empty promises about quality, but in the day-to-day reality of the job. That’s where a grab must prove its worth.

‍

Functional, robust, and free of unnecessary complexity

This practical approach forms the basis for the way Zijtveld develops its grippers: functional, robust, and free of unnecessary complexity. Every technical solution must truly add value for the user.

‍

After all, the best grab isn't the one with the most impressive list of specifications, but the one that a machine operator can still operate with confidence and enjoyment even after thousands of operating hours.

‍