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Hiab vs Mobile Crane: Which to Book

Guides

This page covers hiab vs mobile crane as a service from Watford Haulage. We bring the crane so the job lands where it needs to.

Hiabs and mobile cranes do different jobs

A Hiab is a truck-mounted crane that’s part of a delivery vehicle. A mobile crane is a dedicated lifting machine. Mobile cranes lift more and reach higher, but they don’t carry the load to the job; you still need a separate truck. A Hiab does both.

When the Hiab is the right call

  • Load is part of a delivery (you need the truck anyway)
  • Weight and reach fit within Hiab limits
  • You want one driver and one quote, not two trucks and two contractors
  • Site access is restricted enough that a dedicated mobile crane wouldn’t add much

When you actually need a mobile crane

Very heavy lifts (20T+), very tall lifts (high-rise rooftops, tower crane placement), or lifts where the load is already on site and just needs repositioning. We’ll tell you honestly when it’s not a job for our Hiab.

Get a quote

Call 07932 870006 or send the details through our quote form. We come back within the hour during working hours.

See also: all our Hiab services · coverage map · why a Hiab beats a standard wagon.