Why We Call Them All "HIABs" – The Story Behind the UK's Crane Truck Lingo
If you work in haulage, construction, or logistics in the UK, chances are you’ve heard someone refer to a lorry loader crane simply as a "HIAB" even when the crane isn’t made by HIAB at all. It’s one of those industry quirks that has stuck, but how did this happen? And what about the other top crane brands like Palfinger and Cormach, which are equally respected on the market?
Why We Call Them All "HIABs" – The Story Behind the UK's Crane Truck Lingo
The Birth of HIAB and the Rise of the Crane Truck
The story starts in Sweden during the 1940s when inventor Eric Sundin revolutionised load handling by creating a truck-mounted hydraulic crane powered by the vehicle’s PTO (Power Take-Off) system. His company, Hydrauliska Industri AB, better known as HIAB, soon became the go-to name for lorry loader cranes across Europe.
When HIAB entered the UK market, its cranes were adopted widely across sectors, from construction to general haulage. At the time, there were few competitors offering anything quite like it, so naturally, HIAB became synonymous with lorry-mounted cranes. Over the years, people across the UK began to casually refer to any truck with a crane as a "HIAB."
HIAB Becomes the Generic Name
This is a textbook case of genericide, where a brand name becomes the everyday term for an entire product category. Much like "Hoover" for vacuum cleaners or "Tannoy" for public address systems, "HIAB" became embedded in UK transport and construction culture.
Even today, when someone asks for a "HIAB," they could mean a truck fitted with a crane from any number of manufacturers.
The Modern Crane Market: More Than Just HIAB
While HIAB continues to be a market leader, the crane truck industry has evolved significantly, and there are now several key players manufacturing exceptional lorry loader cranes.
Palfinger: Innovation and Reliability
Palfinger, an Austrian brand, is one of the largest and most respected crane manufacturers globally. Known for their exceptional engineering and cutting-edge technology, Palfinger cranes are particularly praised for their lightweight designs, which allow for increased payload capacity, and their high-performance hydraulic systems, offering smooth and precise operation.
Palfinger cranes also lead the way in remote control systems, ergonomics, and durability. Many fleet operators favour Palfinger for its combination of low maintenance needs and long-term reliability, making them an excellent choice for heavy-duty lifting applications.
Cormach: Heavy-Lifting Power and Robustness
Cormach, an Italian brand, is another serious contender, renowned for its heavy-duty, high-capacity cranes. Cormach cranes stand out for their robust build quality and exceptional lifting performance, especially in sectors that require maximum reach and stability, such as infrastructure projects and off-road applications.
Cormach cranes often feature advanced stabilisation systems and powerful slewing mechanisms, giving them excellent performance when handling awkward or oversized loads. Operators value Cormach for its combination of brute strength and smooth, controlled movement—perfect for demanding tasks where precision and power are equally critical.
Why Does Everyone Still Say "HIAB"?
Despite the success of brands like Palfinger and Cormach, the habit of calling all lorry loader cranes "HIABs" has remained ingrained in UK industry vocabulary. On sites, in yards, and in fleet discussions, "HIAB" is still the default term, no matter which crane is actually mounted on the truck.
Why It Matters
Understanding this language quirk is more than just trivia, it can help businesses make more informed decisions when hiring, purchasing, or specifying crane trucks. While HIAB, Palfinger, and Cormach all produce top-quality cranes, each brand brings its own advantages depending on your operational needs.
At MV Commercial, we supply trucks fitted with HIAB, Palfinger, Cormach, and other trusted crane systems, offering expert advice on which solution best fits your lifting requirements.
In Summary
HIAB may have been the brand that pioneered the lorry loader crane, but today’s crane truck market is rich with choice. Whether you’re looking for HIAB’s legacy and wide availability, Palfinger’s lightweight innovation, or Cormach’s sheer lifting power, there’s a crane system to match every job.
And no matter what brand you choose, you’ll probably still hear someone call it a "HIAB" on site, and now you’ll know exactly why.
Looking for a HIAB, Palfinger, or Cormach-equipped truck? Contact MV Commercial today to discuss your options.
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