A Hiab truck is a truck fitted with a hydraulic loader crane that can lift suitable loads onto or off the vehicle and position them within its working reach. Combining transport and lifting in one vehicle can simplify delivery, provided the equipment suits the load and site.
For Irish businesses moving machinery, construction materials or containers, understanding how this equipment works helps you prepare the right information before requesting a quotation.
What Is a Hiab Truck?
The vehicle combines a truck, a load bed and a crane. The truck transports the goods, the bed carries them, and the crane handles lifting and placement.
Unlike a delivery lorry that relies on separate unloading equipment, a vehicle with a loader crane may unload its own cargo. Whether it can do so depends on the load, lifting position and available capacity.
People commonly use “Hiab” to describe this type of vehicle. However, Hiab is a brand name, and not every lorry-mounted crane is manufactured by Hiab.
What Does Hiab Stand For?
The name comes from Hydrauliska Industri AB, the Swedish company established in 1944. It is a company-name abbreviation rather than an English description of the equipment. The manufacturer’s official brand history explains its origins and the development of hydraulic loader cranes.
How Does a Lorry-Mounted Crane Work?
A hydraulic system uses pressurised fluid to power the crane’s movements. Its main components typically include:
- An articulated boom: Jointed sections allow the arm to fold and move.
- Telescopic sections, where fitted: These extend the boom’s reach.
- Stabiliser legs: These support the vehicle during lifting.
- Operator controls: Depending on the equipment, these may include remote controls.
Before lifting, the provider assesses the load and site, selects suitable equipment and plans the operation. The vehicle is then positioned and set up so the operator can lift and place the load within the agreed working area.
This requires suitable equipment and competent personnel. Ireland’s Health and Safety Authority explains that lifting operations must be properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out safely in its work equipment guidance.
How Much Can a Hiab Crane Lift?
There is no single lifting capacity for every Hiab truck. The permitted load depends on:
- Crane model and configuration.
- Horizontal distance between the crane and load.
- Required lifting height.
- Load weight, dimensions and centre of gravity.
- Attachments and lifting accessories.
- Vehicle setup and site conditions.
The centre of gravity is the point around which the load’s weight is balanced. An unevenly weighted item may need a different handling arrangement from a compact, balanced load.
A crane generally lifts less as the load moves farther away. Its manufacturer’s load chart gives the permitted loads for specified reaches and configurations. Maximum reach alone does not tell you what weight can be lifted there.
Crane Rating, Permitted Load and Payload
These figures describe different things:
| Figure | What it tells you |
| Crane rating in tonne-metres | A measure of lifting moment, relating load weight to horizontal distance. |
| Permitted load at a particular reach | The weight allowed at a specified position and configuration, according to the load chart. |
| Truck payload | The cargo weight the vehicle can legally carry, considering its own weight, equipment and axle limits. |
An 80–150 tonne-metre rating does not mean the crane can lift 80–150 tonnes. A provider must check both lifting capability and carrying payload before confirming suitability.
Which Jobs Suit a Hiab Truck?
A lorry-mounted loader crane can suit jobs where delivery and unloading form part of the same movement. General examples include:
- Machinery delivery: Transporting and positioning suitable plant or equipment.
- Construction materials: Handling suitable packaged materials or structural items.
- Cabins and containers: Placing units where weight, lifting points and reach permit.
- Equipment deliveries: Unloading where separate handling machinery is unavailable.
These are potential applications, not a promise that every vehicle or provider can complete every job.
Crane-assisted delivery may reduce the need to coordinate a separate unloading machine. It is not automatically cheaper or faster, and restricted access can still make a job unsuitable.
Hiab Truck or Mobile Crane: Which Suits the Job?
Here, “mobile crane” means a dedicated lifting vehicle, such as an all-terrain crane. This is a practical comparison rather than a rigid technical classification.
| Consideration | Truck-mounted crane | Dedicated mobile crane |
| Transporting the load | May carry suitable cargo on its load bed. | Cargo generally requires separate transport. |
| Typical lifting role | Delivery, loading, unloading and placement. | Lifting loads brought to or already at the site. |
| Reach and capacity | Check the specific crane’s load chart. | Check the specific crane’s load chart. |
| Access and setup | Needs vehicle access and stabiliser space. | Needs suitable access and space for its configuration. |
| Separate transport | May be needed if cargo exceeds available payload or bed space. | Usually arranged separately for the cargo. |
Neither type is always the better choice. Compare the actual equipment against the load, reach and site requirements.
For broader selection considerations, read this guide to choosing a crane for a construction project.
What Does the Site Need Before Delivery?
The lifting provider needs enough information to assess both access and setup. A truck reaching the entrance does not necessarily mean it can complete the lift.
Check:
- Entrance width, approach roads and turning space.
- Ground conditions and space for stabilisers.
- Collection position and final placement point.
- Overhead cables, trees, buildings and other obstructions.
- Public roads, pedestrians or traffic that could be affected.
- Underground services, chambers or structures near the setup area.
Tell the provider about known hazards before booking. Photographs help, but a site assessment may still be needed.
The provider should determine suitable precautions and any permissions required for the particular job. There is no universal clearance distance or ground specification suitable for every lift.
Prepare These Details Before Requesting a Quote
Provide:
- Load weight and dimensions.
- Collection and delivery locations.
- Photographs of the load and site.
- Intended placement point.
- Approximate distance from the available vehicle position.
- Access restrictions.
- Required date.
- Known lifting points or handling requirements.
If the weight is uncertain, say so rather than presenting an estimate as confirmed.
Kerwin Heavy Haulage offers truck-mounted and mobile cranes, with standard hire and contract lift options. Its contract lift service includes assessment, planning and supervision. Discussing your requirements through its crane hire services helps establish appropriate equipment and responsibilities. Kerwin Heavy Haulage
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the same truck transport and unload my equipment?
Yes, where the vehicle’s payload, bed space and crane capacity suit the equipment. The provider must also confirm that unloading is possible at the delivery location.
Does the crane need to park beside the placement point?
Not necessarily, but distance affects capacity. Give the provider the approximate distance and any obstacles so it can assess a suitable working position.
Can a Hiab lift over a wall or fence?
Potentially. The provider must check load weight, reach, lifting height, clearance and the lifting path. A wall or fence should be identified before the job is agreed.
Is a crane’s lifting capacity the same as the truck’s payload?
No. Lifting capacity concerns what the crane can handle in a particular configuration. Payload concerns what the vehicle can carry on the road.
Discuss Your Delivery and Lift
A Hiab truck can combine transport and lifting where the equipment, load and site are suitable. Confirming weight, reach and access early helps the provider assess the job before delivery.
Contact Kerwin Heavy Haulage with your load details and site photographs to discuss an appropriate arrangement.