HIAB in Action: Most Common Uses and Applications of HIAB Trucks

Anybody familiar with various aspects of heavy industry and its myriad tools, equipment, and vehicles will surely be aware of HIAB trucks and their uses. However, it is not immediately apparent to the layman what is meant by the term HIAB or how these particular vehicles might best be utilised and in what setting. Reef Group services often include the extensive use of HIAB trucks, and we have decades of collective experience working with them as a team. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the most common uses and applications for HIAB vehicles across a variety of industries and working environments.

Origins of HIAB

HIAB (pronounced hai-ab) is an acronym taken from the Swedish brand name Hydrauliska Industri AB, which began manufacturing hydraulic cranes in the 1940s. In more modern times, much as other brand names like Hoover came to represent the item itself over time, HIAB evolved to refer to a hydraulic crane mounted onto the back of a vehicle. The crane uses the vehicle’s engine to draw power and drive the hydraulics, making it exceptionally strong, practical, and versatile. Typically used in the transportation and logistics industry for lifting goods, HIAB cranes are often considered more functional, efficient, and mobile than fixed cranes.

Types of HIAB cranes

Although bespoke variations do exist, there are two main types of HIAB loader cranes:

• Rigid HIAB – A vehicle consisting of the truck, trailer and mounted crane combined in one rigid structure

Rigid HIABS are generally nimbler than their articulated counterparts and more adept at squeezing into tight spaces than those forced to pull a separate trailer. The crane can be mounted at the front or rear of the vehicle, and workers often refer to this position when describing the unit, calling them rear or front-mounted HIABs. An additional trailer can be pulled behind a rigid HIAB if the body of the main vehicle is not sufficient to handle the intended load.

• Articulated HIAB – A vehicle consisting of a truck with a mounted crane attached to the rear of the operator’s cab.

Articulated HIAB trucks have no fixed bed attached to the rear of the vehicle and are less restricted in what they can carry. Effectively, they resemble a standard articulated truck with a crane mounted to the back of the cab. The choice of trailer then depends entirely on the objects and goods to be moved, making them exceptionally versatile and multi-functional. If two skilled operators are in attendance, it is possible to combine the lifting capabilities of two articulated HIAB trucks in unison and raise extremely large, heavy objects.

What are HIAB trucks most commonly used for?

Most cargo loads in the transportation/haulage industry are different from one another in some way and often present unique issues and challenges. The versatility and strength of HIAB trucks make them the perfect tool for negating many of these issues and handling abnormal loads.

Other industries using HIABs

Some other crucial uses of HIAB trucks occur in and around several key industries, namely:

• Construction
• Agriculture and landscaping
• Infrastructure and defence
• Waste/recycling
• Mining and energy
• Railways

All these industries involve manoeuvring heavy, dangerous equipment and/or huge quantities of loose material, from bricks and wood to sand, scrap metal, and everything in between. HIAB trucks also excel in these circumstances and represent an invaluable addition to any company needing to safely and efficiently move large amounts of almost any material. Because of the portable nature of these cranes, delivering the items and equipment to alternative locations and simply reversing the process is exponentially easier. Thus, many experienced industry experts rank them among the most important and indispensable of all industrial machines.

The benefits of HIAB trucks

If the challenge is to move something heavy and bulky from one location to another, the chances are a HIAB will represent the best possible tool for the job. Everything from huge sections of bridges and buildings to other vehicles can be lifted and transported safely and easily. There is almost no limit to what HIAB trucks can do, and some of their other benefits include:

• Loading/offloading on-site with no separate crane required
• Secure, safe transportation of goods
• Unmatched versatility in objects and materials that can be moved
• Maximum mobility
• Excellent performance on soft surfaces
• 180-degree arm rotation and superb access to restricted spaces
• Compact units make them perfect for accessing tight spaces and manoeuvring around cramped construction sites
• Low running costs and general cost-efficiency
• Reduced need for preparing sites beforehand

Construction-specific features and modifications

For added flexibility and function in the construction industry, HIAB cranes have some exceptionally useful features and can also be modified to undertake specific tasks. These include:

• A wide range of cranes – skip loaders and truck-mounted forklifts
• Heavy/super heavy lifters – capable of handling even the most massive items
• Extended first booms – particularly adept at delivering drywall panels and roofing sections to higher building levels
• Boom extension accessories – interchangeable devices can be connected depending on the task. These range from strong, gripping/digging attachments to robust baskets for holding large amounts of loose material

Logistics

The efficient handling and moving of an almost unimaginable variety of materials demands only the cleverest, most reliable solutions. HIAB trucks prove the ideal solution to almost any logistical requirement and drastically reduce the time taken to achieve the smooth, seamless movement of goods. Convenience and adaptability are powerful tools in the fast-paced, deadline-driven logistics industry, and HIAB vehicles make the process faster and more efficient every step of the way.

Performance-driven solutions

Because HIAB vehicles come in all shapes and sizes, some are suitable for use in even the most rugged, inaccessible areas. From the toughest terrains and environments imaginable to the confines of a hermetically sealed warehouse, they can overcome almost any obstacle, making the lives of their operators easier and safer in the process.

Contact us

If you need the assistance of reputable, efficient professionals to help take the stress out of your transportation/shipping responsibilities, please contact Reef Group today. As experts at solving complex logistical problems, providing innovative solutions, and coordinating smooth deliveries, we will gladly discuss any aspects of our services with you.