Hiab Glasgow Services – What We Do.

HIAB services typically involve the use of truck-mounted hydraulic cranes (often called HIAB cranes, after the company that pioneered them) for lifting and transportation tasks. These services include:

Loading/unloading heavy materials and equipment from trucks
Placing construction materials on different levels of building sites
Moving machinery or heavy equipment between locations
Installing large items like air conditioning units or hot tubs
Delivering and positioning shipping containers
Moving and placing heavy industrial equipment

The main advantage of HIAB services is that they combine transportation and lifting in one vehicle, eliminating the need for separate crane hire. The truck can deliver materials and then use its crane to place them exactly where needed. These cranes are particularly useful in construction, manufacturing, and logistics industries where materials need to be both transported and precisely positioned.

The different types of HIAB cranes and their lifting capacities
Common industries and applications where HIAB services are used
The advantages compared to traditional cranes
Typical costs and hiring processes
Safety considerations and regulations
Specific types of loads they can handle

The different types of HIAB GLASGOW cranes and their lifting capacities

Here are the main types of HIAB (truck-mounted) cranes and their typical lifting capacities:

Knuckle Boom Cranes

Most common type of HIAB crane
Features a folding boom arm that can bend in the middle like a knuckle
Lifting capacity typically ranges from 1-50 tonnes
Maximum reach of 15-30 meters depending on model
Great for precise positioning in tight spaces

Stiff Boom Cranes

Fixed, straight boom design
Higher lifting capacities (up to 200 tonnes)
Longer reach (up to 60 meters)
Better for heavy lifting at construction sites
Less maneuverable than knuckle boom cranes

Loader Cranes

Smaller units designed specifically for loading/unloading
Typically 1-15 tonne capacity
Shorter reach (usually under 15 meters)
Often used on delivery trucks and builders' merchants vehicles

Specialty HIAB Units

Marine cranes (designed for ports and shipyards)
Forestry cranes (specialized for logging operations)
Recycling cranes (fitted with grapples for handling scrap)
Each type has specific capacities based on their use

The actual lifting capacity varies significantly based on:

The extension length of the boom
The working radius (distance from the truck)
The stabilizer configuration
The truck's size and specifications

The extension length of the boom directly affects the crane’s lifting capacity – the further out the boom extends, the less weight it can safely lift. Here’s how it typically works:

At Minimum Extension (boom fully retracted):

The crane can lift its maximum rated capacity
Usually between 2-3 meters from the truck
Most stable position for heavy lifts

At Medium Extension:

Capacity typically reduces to 40-60% of maximum
Usually around 5-8 meters from the truck
Good balance of reach and lifting power

At Maximum Extension:

Capacity drops to 20-30% of maximum
Can reach 15-30 meters (depending on crane model)
Best for lighter loads that need to be placed far from the truck

For example, a 10-tonne rated crane might handle:

10 tonnes at 2 meters
5 tonnes at 6 meters
2 tonnes at 15 meters

This is why HIAB Glasgow operators need detailed load charts and must carefully plan lifts based on both weight and required reach.

Hiab Certification