Crane and HIAB Transport Services: Elevate Your Logistics
Specialised Lifting and Haulage Solutions
Standard road freight often relies on forklifts or loading docks, which many construction sites and rural factories lack. When your cargo is too heavy for a pallet truck or too large for a standard trailer, you require a vehicle that carries its own lifting capacity. Shipping International provides a fleet of HIAB vehicles and mobile cranes to bridge this gap. We ensure your machinery, containers, or structural steel move from the point of origin to the exact final position at the destination.
Our service integrates technical lifting expertise with road freight and customs clearance to provide a single point of accountability for your most difficult loads.
Understanding HIAB and Lorry-Mounted Cranes
The term HIAB refers to a hydraulic integrated vehicle in which a crane is mounted directly on the truck chassis. This configuration provides a versatile solution for transporting and positioning goods in restricted spaces.
The Reach and Capacity Balance
Lifting capacity is not a fixed number. It reduces as the crane arm extends further from the truck. For example, a crane might lift 10 tonnes at a 2 metre reach, but only 2 tonnes at a 15 metre reach. Our team calculates the required radius to ensure the vehicle can park safely while still placing the cargo exactly where you need it. We use high-capacity 80 tonne-metre cranes for heavy industrial moves and smaller, more agile units for urban deliveries.
Rigid vs Articulated HIABs
- Rigid HIAB: The crane and the loading bed are on the same chassis. These are ideal for navigating tight sites or city centres where space is limited.
- Articulated HIAB: The crane is mounted on the tractor unit, which pulls a separate trailer. This setup allows for much longer loads, such as 12 metre steel beams or 40ft shipping containers.
Technical Planning: The Lift Plan
Every crane operation involves significant risk. To mitigate this, we produce a detailed lift plan for complex or high-value moves. This document is a legal requirement for many construction and industrial sites in the UK.
1. Site Survey and Ground Conditions
A crane is only as stable as the ground beneath its outriggers. We assess the surface for underground services, voids, or soft soil. If the ground is unstable, we provide spreader mats to distribute the weight and prevent the vehicle from tipping during the lift.
2. Weight and Centre of Gravity
We verify the cargo's Verified Gross Mass before any lifting begins. Knowing the centre of gravity is essential for selecting the correct slinging points. If the load is unbalanced, it can slip or cause the crane to overreach its safety limits.
3. Overhead and Side Obstructions
Our planners check for power lines, overhanging trees, and adjacent buildings. We ensure there is a clear slewing area for the crane arm to move without contacting the surrounding infrastructure.
Serving Industrial and Construction Sectors
Our crane transport services support diverse industries where standard haulage is insufficient.
- Construction and Infrastructure: Moving concrete barriers, plant machinery, and prefabricated pods to active sites.
- Manufacturing and Industrial: Delivering heavy lathes, presses, and CNC machines into factories with low ceiling heights.
- Energy and Utilities: Transporting transformers, switchgear, and cable drums to remote substations or wind farms.
- Shipping and Containers: Lifting 20ft and 40ft sea freight containers directly onto the ground for loading or storage.
Risk Management and Cargo Insurance
Lifting operations carry inherent risks of physical damage to the cargo and the surrounding property. Standard transit insurance often excludes damage caused during the act of lifting unless specifically endorsed. Shipping International provides comprehensive All Risks insurance that covers the loading, transit, and unloading phases. This protects your capital investment against accidental drops, collisions, or equipment failure.
We also ensure all our operators hold valid CPCS (Construction Plant Competence Scheme) or ALLMI (Association of Lorry Loader Manufacturers and Importers) certifications. This guarantees that the person handling your cargo has the technical training required to operate the machinery safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can a HIAB truck lift?
The lifting capacity depends on the crane's size and the distance between the load and the truck. Our smallest units handle 1-2 tonnes at close range, while our heavy-lift HIABs can handle over 15 tonnes. We review your cargo weight and the required reach to select the most efficient vehicle for the job.
Do I need to provide my own slings and shackles?
No. Our vehicles come equipped with a variety of certified lifting tackle, including chains, polyester slings, and spreader beams. All our equipment undergoes regular LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) inspections to ensure safety and compliance.
Can you lift a container over a fence or a wall?
Yes, provided the distance is within the crane’s safe working radius. We conduct a site assessment to check the height of the obstruction and the weight of the container. This allows us to determine if a HIAB has enough reach or if a separate mobile crane is required.
Is a site survey always necessary?
For standard deliveries on hard-standing ground with clear access, we can often plan the move using photos and dimensions. However, for heavy lifts, confined spaces, or sites with potential hazards, a physical site survey is essential to produce a safe lift plan and prevent delays on the day of transport.
Do you handle international crane transport?
We provide crane-assisted transport throughout the UK and can coordinate similar services across Europe. For international moves, we manage the customs clearance and ensure all road permits for oversized vehicles are in place before the journey begins.
What information do you need for a quote?
We require the item's weight and dimensions, the pickup and delivery postcodes, and a description of the access at both ends. Mentioning specific obstacles, such as grass verges, overhead cables, or the need to lift to a second floor, helps us provide an accurate price.
