If you are new to the HIAB and lorry loader world, the terminology can be confusing. Here is a plain-English guide to what each term means.
Lorry Loader
A lorry loader is the generic UK industry term for a crane that is mounted on a lorry or rigid vehicle. The crane is used to load and unload the vehicle, or to deliver and place loads at a destination. Lorry loader is the term used in CPCS certification and ALLMI training, and in Highways England regulations. It covers all truck-mounted cranes regardless of brand.
HIAB
HIAB is a brand name — the manufacturer Hiab (formerly Hydrauliska Industri AB) makes the truck-mounted cranes. Like Hoover or Biro, the brand name has become the generic term in everyday UK usage. When someone says they need a HIAB, they mean they need a lorry loader — a truck with a crane fitted.
How the Crane Arm Works
The crane arm on a lorry loader is articulated — it folds back compactly when not in use and extends to reach into tight or awkward positions when deployed. This is what distinguishes a lorry loader from a straight-boom crane or a telescopic crane, and what makes it so practical in constrained spaces.
Truck-Mounted Crane / HMF / Palfinger / Atlas
There are several manufacturers of lorry loaders in addition to Hiab — HMF, Palfinger, and Atlas are among the most common in the UK. In everyday usage, any truck-mounted crane tends to be called a HIAB, regardless of the manufacturer.
In Summary
Lorry loader = truck-mounted crane = HIAB. They are all the same type of equipment. At HIAB Transport, we operate genuine Hiab-brand equipment exclusively. View our full fleet here.