A bolt-on shaft and gear system includes a body assembly defining two spaced apart mounts. A powered grasping assembly includes a first pivot pin pivotally positioned in a first of the two mounts and a first gear section fixedly coupled to the first pivot pin. An actuating driver is attached between the body assembly and the powered grasping assembly for controllably rotating the powered grasping assembly about the first pivot pin. A follower grasping assembly includes a second pivot pin pivotally positioned in a second of the two mounts and a second gear section fixedly coupled to the second pivot pin, the second gear section is meshed with the first gear section so as to rotate with the powered grasping assembly in an opposite direction.