What is a HIAB truck? Truck-mounted cranes from 10 to 35 tons explained

Need to deliver a generator, steel beams, or heavy machinery to a construction site? A HIAB-style truck can carry the load and unload it using its mounted hydraulic crane.

From 10-ton loader cranes to larger 35-ton truck cranes, different machines serve different lifting jobs. This guide explains their capacities and explores XCMG alternatives available in the UAE.

HIAB is a brand, not a crane type

HIAB is a Swedish crane brand whose name became widely used for truck-mounted loader cranes, even those made by other manufacturers.

A truck-mounted loader crane uses a hydraulic boom to lift loads, with stabilisers called outriggers supporting the vehicle during lifting. These cranes are often mounted behind the driver's cabin, allowing the truck to carry materials and unload them at the destination.

The term HIAB crane lorry is especially common in the UK, while HIAB crane truck, boom truck, loader crane, and truck-mounted crane are also used to describe similar equipment.

However, not every crane truck is made by HIAB. Other manufacturers include XCMG, Palfinger, Fassi, and HMF. For example, an XCMG boom crane mounted on a Dongfeng truck can handle many of the same lifting and delivery jobs as a HIAB loader crane.

Truck-mounted cranes from 10 to 35 tons

Truck-mounted cranes include loader cranes for lifting and transporting materials, as well as larger truck cranes built mainly for heavy lifting. The following XCMG models show how their capacities differ.

10-ton HIAB-style trucks for construction deliveries

A 10-ton loader crane is useful for delivering generators, industrial equipment, and construction materials. The XCMG SQZ200 is one example, with a folding boom suited to loading and unloading in limited spaces.

This crane has a maximum rated lifting capacity of 10 tons and a boom reaching approximately 13 metres. Its folding design allows the crane to take up less space when not in use.

For more model details, read Makana's guide to 5-ton, 8-ton, and 10-ton XCMG boom trucks.

12- to 14-ton crane trucks for heavier site work

For heavier machinery and construction materials, XCMG offers straight-boom truck-mounted cranes such as:

• XCMG SQS300-4: A telescopic boom crane with a maximum lifting capacity of 12 tons.
• XCMG SQS350-4: A telescopic boom crane with a maximum lifting capacity of 14 tons.

These models handle heavier equipment and construction materials. The XCMG SQS350-4 offers a telescopic boom reaching 19.6 metres, making it useful for equipment handling, construction deliveries, and industrial lifting.

25-ton XCMG truck cranes for heavy lifting

A 25-ton truck crane is different from a typical HIAB loader crane. It is a dedicated lifting machine designed mainly for crane work rather than transporting goods on a cargo bed.

The XCMG QY25K is one example, with a maximum rated lifting capacity of 25 tons. Its telescopic boom supports heavy equipment installation, steel construction, and infrastructure projects.

This type of crane offers greater lifting capacity for jobs that go beyond regular material deliveries.

35-ton XCMG truck cranes for larger projects

Larger construction and industrial projects often require cranes with higher lifting capacities.

The XCMG QY35K5 is a dedicated truck crane with a maximum rated lifting capacity of 35 tons. Its telescopic boom extends to approximately 39.6 metres, with additional reach available through a jib.

This crane can support heavy machinery installation, bridge construction, and lifting large structural components.

Unlike a HIAB-style delivery truck, the QY35K5 is built mainly for heavy lifting operations.

HIAB truck lifting capacity and reach

A crane's lifting capacity changes with its working radius, which is the horizontal distance between the crane and the load. A 10-ton crane, for example, can lift its maximum rated load only under specific conditions. Its lifting capacity decreases as the boom extends.

Some HIAB cranes use tonne-metres (tm) to describe lifting moment. A 30 tm crane does not mean it can lift 30 tons. Similarly, a truck's gross vehicle weight (GVW) refers to its maximum permitted total weight, not its crane's lifting capacity.

These differences explain why two truck-mounted cranes with similar numbers in their specifications may have very different lifting abilities.

HIAB trucks and XCMG crane trucks in UAE construction

HIAB-style trucks are widely used for material deliveries, while larger XCMG truck cranes support heavier lifting projects.

Common applications include:

• Construction: Lifting steel, pipes, and building materials.
• Industrial sites: Moving generators and machinery.
• Infrastructure: Handling road barriers and drainage equipment.
• Oil and gas: Lifting industrial equipment and heavy parts.

Find HIAB-style crane trucks and XCMG models on Makana

Looking for a HIAB truck or a similar truck-mounted crane in the UAE? Makana offers boom truck cranes for sale, including straight-boom and folding-boom models.

Explore XCMG boom truck cranes, such as the SQZ200, SQS300-4, and SQS350-4, with detailed machine information available on Makana.

For heavier lifting, Makana also offers a separate category of truck cranes for sale in the UAE.

Depending on the machine, buyers can access:

• 75+ point inspection reports.
• Detailed professional photos.
• Operational videos.
• Technical specifications.
• 3D and 360° views, where available.

Makana also holds monthly online machinery auctions in Dubai, offering more opportunities to find used construction equipment and lifting machinery.

Whether you need a 10-ton loader crane for deliveries or a larger truck crane for heavy lifting, Makana makes it easier to explore available equipment and buy with confidence.

FAQs about HIAB trucks

What is a HIAB truck?

A HIAB truck is a vehicle fitted with a hydraulic loader crane. It can carry goods and lift them at the delivery point. HIAB is a brand name, but people also use the term for similar crane trucks made by other manufacturers.

How much can a 10-ton HIAB-style crane truck lift?

A 10-ton crane has a maximum rated lifting capacity of 10 tons under specific conditions. Its safe lifting capacity decreases as the working radius increases.

What is the difference between a HIAB truck and a 25-ton truck crane?

A typical HIAB truck has a loader crane mounted on a commercial truck and can also carry materials. A 25-ton truck crane is usually a dedicated lifting machine built on a crane carrier.

Is a 35-ton HIAB truck the same as a 35-ton crane?

Not always. The 35-ton figure may describe the truck's gross vehicle weight or the crane's rated lifting capacity. Some crane specifications also use tonne-metres to describe lifting moment.

Where can I buy HIAB-style crane trucks in the UAE?

Makana offers XCMG boom truck cranes, dedicated truck cranes, and other lifting equipment in the UAE. Buyers can explore available machines with detailed specifications, inspection reports, photos, and operational videos.