AC Lifting · HIAB Transport
HIAB Transport & Hire
Lorry-mounted crane haulage. We deliver and place loads in a single movement — no second crane required.
Nationwide HIAB Service
AC Lifting offers HIAB hire with an experienced, ALLMI-accredited operator. One lorry delivers the load and lifts it into place — no second crane, no extra contractor to book. We run UK-wide HIAB transport from our Preston operational base, with the highest job density across the North West.
What a HIAB can do
A HIAB is a lorry with a hydraulic loader crane mounted behind the cab. Ours handle portacabins, shipping containers, generators, plant, steelwork, hot tubs, boats and almost any awkward commercial load. The crane lifts, extends and places the load exactly where it’s needed — over walls, into tight yards, onto prepared bases — so you don’t have to pay for a second machine or a second driver.
What’s included
- Operator-driven HIAB lorry — we don’t hire out bare trucks.
- Lift and place in a single visit.
- ALLMI-trained, CSCS-carded operators.
- Site risk assessments and method statements on request.
- Full operating insurance cover.
Typical loads
We regularly transport and lift containers and site cabins, generators, plant and machinery, and structural steelwork. Need something bespoke moved? Give us a call and we’ll tell you straight whether our fleet suits the job.
If you were searching for crane hire
We aren’t a standalone mobile crane hire company. What we do is deliver your load and lift it into place in one visit, with a lorry-mounted HIAB — often faster and cheaper than booking a crane and a haulier separately. If the lift genuinely needs a large mobile crane, we’ll tell you straight and, where the job warrants it, step you up to a fully managed contract lift.
Common questions
What does HIAB mean?
HIAB comes from the original Swedish manufacturer, Hydrauliska Industri AB. It’s become the generic UK term for any lorry-mounted loader crane.
How do I hire a HIAB with an operator?
Call 01772 815778 or use our contact form. We’ll confirm which size HIAB suits your load, check access to your site, and quote on the specifics. Most enquiries get a response the same working day.
How much does HIAB hire cost?
Price depends on truck capacity, journey distance, time on site and the complexity of the lift. Shorter deliveries start lower than longer-distance or multi-drop work. We always quote against your specific job rather than a generic day rate.
Does AC Lifting rent out the truck on its own?
No. Every HIAB we supply comes with our own ALLMI-trained operator. The operator is part of the service — it’s how we guarantee safe, efficient lifts and keep our insurance valid.
Ready to get a quote?
Call 01772 815778 or email transport@aclifting.com — we’ll usually come back the same working day.