If you're new to the haulage industry or rarely work with cranes, you may not be familiar with a HIAB crane or how it differs from spider cranes or mobile cranes. However, HIAB trucks have become known for their versatility and reliability, making them ideal for material handling. These cranes are well-suited for various lifting and transportation tasks, improving loading and unloading operations across industries like construction, transportation, and logistics.
In this article, we will delve into the world of HIAB cranes, exploring their purpose, uses, advantages, how to select the right crane for your project and more, telling you everything you need to know.
What Is a HIAB Crane?
HIAB cranes actually refer to the brand Hydrauliska Industri AB, a Swedish hydraulic lifting and loading company. However, the name 'HIAB crane' is commonly used to refer to lorry loader cranes or lorry-mounted cranes. These vehicles are made up of a truck with an integrated crane designed to help load and unload the lorry more easily.
This unique device, which combines a vehicle and a crane, has transformed haulage tasks across a wide range of industries due to its 2-in-1 lift and transport ability. HIAB cranes can carry and transport goods to and from their intended site as well as lift and load them off and onto the truck, rather than needing a separate crane and transportation vehicle.
How Does a HIAB Crane Work?
A HIAB crane works by lifting heavy goods and loading them onto the lorry bed to be transported to its destination. The vehicle engine is used to power the crane’s hydraulics, which enable it to grip and move objects. The lifting and loading movements are controlled using the lorry’s remote control.
Lorry loader cranes are convenient material handling equipment that can reach impressive heights and lift heavy loads, helping avoid common manual handling injuries associated with lifting and carrying goods.
What Are HIAB Cranes Used For?
HIAB cranes are an essential piece of equipment for the heavy haulage industry that is used to assist with the transportation of goods for many different sectors that work with materials and goods.
Here are some of the items a HIAB crane can lift include:
● Construction materials
● Pallets
● Equipment
● Shipping containers
● Vehicles
● Farming machinery
Lorry loader cranes are versatile in their ability to load and lift a wide variety of heavy objects efficiently and safely. Without needing additional material handling equipment like forklifts, lorry loader cranes help companies save money on acquiring extra vehicles or equipment for unloading and loading operations.
What Are the Different Types of HIAB Crane?
There are two common types of lorry loader cranes; rigid HIABs and articulated HIABs. Let’s take a look at the main difference between these two types of HIAB cranes and how this affects their performance.
Rigid HIAB
A rigid HIAB crane, also known as a stiff-boom HIAB, is a vehicle that consists of a lorry, trailer and lorry-mounted crane in a single structure. The crane can be located either at the front or the back of the vehicle, known as a front-mounted or rear-mounted crane. Rigid HIABs offer greater manoeuvrability, capable of navigating tighter spaces. To increase the maximum load capacity of rigid HIAB cranes, an additional trailer can be attached, often known as a ‘wagon and drag’.
Articulated HIAB
Articulated HIABs, also known as artic HIABs or Knuckle Boom Hiabs, are vehicles made up of a lorry and a lorry-mounted crane that sits behind the cab. Arctic HIAB vehicles can move independently as well as pull a variety of different trailers.
Tandem lifts are a manoeuvre that can be carried out by two articulated HIABs joined together to combine their lifting power for extremely heavy loads. This lift requires a great level of skill and precision and is typically only carried out by highly experienced crane operators.
Both types of HIAB cranes have undergone significant changes to enhance their versatility and load capabilities, often making them a favourable choice over mobile cranes for many lifting operations within the hauling industry.
What Is the Difference Between a HIAB Crane and a Mobile Crane?
HIAB and mobile cranes are two popular cranes used for lifting and transporting loads. However, there are some fundamental differences in their design and how they operate, making each crane suited to specific tasks.
HIAB cranes feature a compact design, ideal for loading and unloading materials onto and off trucks safely and efficiently with a lifting capacity of between 3 and 110 tonnes.
On the other hand, mobile cranes are versatile lifting machines with various configurations, such as all-terrain and rough terrain, enabling them to operate in locations with challenging conditions, like construction sites. Additionally, mobile cranes have higher lifting capacities, often between 50 and 200 tonnes, enabling them to handle heavier loads and larger items.
While HIAB cranes are mounted on lorries, facilitating easy transport and quick access to job sites, mobile cranes require a larger setup area and set-up is more complex and time-consuming. Although both types of cranes can travel on public roads, mobile cranes can also navigate off-road environments when equipped as all-terrain cranes.
How to Choose a HIAB Crane
When choosing a HIAB crane to hire it’s important to understand that they come in a variety of types with different capacities, with customisation options. Let’s delve into the key considerations to make when choosing a lorry loader crane to ensure you hire the right crane for the job.
What Loads Will You Handle?
The first question to ask yourself is what type of loads you will be working with, such as pallets or heavy machinery. Once you know what you will be lifting, you can determine the minimum and maximum weight requirements your crane must meet in order to transport and lift your loads safely.
How Far Will You Lift It?
The other capacity you need to consider is the desired reach of your crane. Will you be working close or far away from the crane vehicle? This determines the required reach you need to load and unload your goods efficiently. The farther away from the lorry, the larger the crane required to handle the weight of the load.
Which Crane Boom Would Suit You Best?
To choose the best crane boom for your needs, consider factors like the weight and size of the load, height requirements and site conditions. Telescopic booms offer flexibility and reach, while fixed booms provide stability for heavier loads.
Where Will You Operate Your Crane From?
Whether you prefer manual or remote control is another important factor to consider. Generally, manual controls are suitable for many projects and offer a more cost-effective option. However, remote-controlled operation provides greater flexibility, enabling you to operate the crane from a safe distance or directly next to the crane.
How Complex or Precise Will Your Operations Be?
Control systems can range from basic to advanced, depending on the complexity of your operations. The level of precision you need from your crane will determine the sophistication required in the control system. Advanced control allows a crane to perform more complex tasks efficiently, which can lead to cost, time, energy and fuel savings.
Which Smart Features Would Make Your Work Safer and Easier?
Many cranes come with additional smart features, which are designed to enhance performance and safety. For example, some HIAB crane adaptations and features can add stability, speed or capacity to customise the crane to your needs.
Macsalvors - Reliable Crane Hire
At Macsalvors, we specialise in crane hire services across Cornwall and Devon, offering a wide range of solutions to suit your lifting needs. From versatile lorry loader cranes, perfect for loading and unloading heavy materials, to reliable all-terrain cranes, we provide equipment for both small and large-scale projects.
With over 70 years of experience in the industry, our team is dedicated to delivering safe, efficient, and tailored crane hire services to our clients. Whether you're in the construction, logistics or industrial sectors, we have the expertise and equipment to get the job done right. For queries or additional information about our crane hire options, get in touch with Macsalvors today!
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