What is a HIAB? Is A HIAB A Lorry Loader?

You might be wondering what a HIAB is

What is a HIAB? Hiab is actually a brand name.  It’s a word that has become commonplace in the haulage industry when referring to a lorry mounted crane, truck mounted crane, mounted cranes or lorry loader.  Hydrauliska Industri AB is a Swedish manufacturer of loader cranes, demountable container handlers, forestry cranes, truck-mounted forklifts and tail lifts. The company and brand name are owned by the Cargotec Corporation.

HIAB | LORRY LOADER | BOOM TRUCK | CRANE TRUCK

These vehicles are made up of a truck and crane combined in one vehicle and help to load and unload trucks by using the vehicle engine to power the hydraulics of the crane.  The beauty of these vehicles is that they can deliver goods to site as well as lift them on and off the truck which can often reduce the need for a separate mobile crane. 

They can also be used to move goods within a space.  For example, rather than delivering goods, they can move containers, generators or other items from one space to another within a building site which is a common request for us. 

HIAB: A Lorry mounted cranes

HIABs are used in the construction industry for assembling large structures, building roads or bridges, erecting buildings at remote locations without the need to bring in external cranes as well as other similar applications. HIAB hydraulic trucks have become an essential tool of the trade with their hi-tech design which is suitable for most any environment that would require heavy lifting.

What are the types of HIAB?

There are two common types of HIAB truck.

Rigid HIAB – A rigid Hiab is a vehicle that is made up of the truck, trailer, all lifting hydraulics and loading equipment and lorry mounted crane all in one rigid structure. 

Articulated HIAB – An artic Hiab is a vehicle which is made up of a truck with the lorry mounted crane situated behind the cab.  These truck mounted lifting trucks can move around tractor unit only or can pull a variety of trailers.

HIAB Truck Cost

Here we outline the factors that influence HIAB hire cost within the UK haulage industry.

Mobile Crane Uses

A mobile crane is a versatile piece of heavy equipment used for lifting and moving various objects and materials. Here is a list of things a mobile crane might be used to move:

Construction Materials:

• Steel beams and girders
• Concrete blocks and panels
• Bricks and masonry materials
• Roofing materials (e.g., trusses)
• Pipes and tubing
• Reinforcing bars (rebar)

Machinery and Equipment:

• Generators
• HVAC units
• Heavy machinery (e.g., bulldozers, excavators)
• Industrial boilers
• Transformers
• Solar panels
• Air source heat pumps

Vehicles:

• Cars and trucks
• Shipping containers
• Boats and small watercraft
• Motorcycles and ATVs

Trees and Landscaping Elements:

• Large trees for landscaping
• Statues and sculptures
• Fountains and other decorative elements

Shipping and Containers:

• Loading and unloading cargo containers
• Stacking containers at ports or warehouses
• Moving goods onto or off of ships

Utility Poles and Lines:

• Setting up or replacing utility poles
• Installing power lines and transformers

Demolition and Debris Removal:

• Removing debris and wreckage from construction sites
• Demolishing small structures (e.g., sheds, garages)

Personnel:

• Some mobile cranes are equipped with a personnel basket for tasks like high-level maintenance, window washing, or inspection.

Telecommunication Equipment:

• Lifting and installing cell towers and antennas

Agricultural Applications:

• Moving large bales of hay or straw
• Positioning irrigation equipment

Large Signs and Billboards:

• Installing or removing large advertising displays

Assembling Pre-Fabricated Structures:

• Positioning modules for modular construction

Emergency Response:

• Clearing debris after natural disasters or accidents
• Rescuing people from elevated positions in emergency situations

Remember, the use of a mobile crane requires careful planning, skilled operators, and adherence to safety protocols to ensure the safety of both the crane operators and those in the vicinity.