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We manufacture crane trucks of all shapes and sizes with a selection of body and crane types. Below you can read about how it all started and see a few examples of our crane truck specifications.

Introduction to Operating and Building Crane mounted vehicles

The word HIAB is synonymous with lorry loaders or truck mounted crane vehicles as we like to call them in the UK. It's understandable as Hiab invented the world's first hydraulic truck mounted crane in 1947 and were the first company to introduce loader cranes to the UK. A loader crane can have several names, some refer to them as articulated cranes, knuckle-boom cranes or lorry loaders. At MV Commercial we refer to them as truck cranes and there are several different crane manufacturers in the market namely: Palfinger, Hiab, Cormach, Fassi, PM, Copma and Bonfiglioli. Each manufacturer have a range of hydraulically powered articulated cranes that can be fitted to a truck or trailer which sounds simple, but as we know from experience there are a whole host of engineering principles to take into consideration when fitting or building a safe crane mounted vehicle. At MV Commercial we know all about building crane mounted vehicles. It’s our expertise that has made us one of the leading independent specialists in the supply of truck mounted crane vehicles in the uk. We have specialist CAD software that calculates axle weight by inputting vehicle type, crane type and body type ensuring the correct weight of the vehicle and maximising the payload of the build. Our sister company provide chassis modifications such as stretching bodies, axle conversions, tag axle fitting and also have the knowledge and experience in building cheese-wedge and flatbed bodies. As a business we provide a full end to end facility in the sourcing and building of truck mounted vehicles. We have invested heavily over the years in assembling the right team, partners and specialist equipment. Having the right people and knowledge is essential to your vehicles performance and overall safety.

How did it all start?

In 2003 one of our existing customers had an application for a lorry mounted crane and asked us to provide a contract hire solution for a period of two years.

At that particular time MV Commercial were looking at various niche markets and had decided to explore the lorry mounted crane marketplace. After speaking to several crane and truck manufacturers we realised that there was conflicting advice on how exactly a crane should be built onto a truck and given the cost and complexity of such an asset we were incredibly surprised at the lack of accurate advice. None of the main truck and crane manufacturers provided a service that could tell you how to build a crane mounted vehicle, what the exact unladen weight would be, what the specification should exactly be and the process of building a lorry mounted crane seemed to be timeless and clumsy.

That said, we could see a great opportunity to build purpose built crane trucks for the portable cabin, generator and plant industry. After months of research into the most cost effective solution for building crane vehicles, we designed eight main vehicles. They are as follows:

Option 1 A purpose built crane mounted vehicle for the Scaffolder

Truck

Supply of an 18T Chassis cab, with an 8 tonne front axle, sub chassis to suit a fifteen tonne Crane, rear air suspension,

Body

24ft Hardwood Floor Body, Galvanised Side raves, Ladder rack, work lights, a chain well, pad carriers, stainless steel tool boxes. All fitted in the most appropriate places for ease of operation.

Crane

15T/M to 18T/M Crane with 2 hydraulic extensions and factory fitted remote control.

Application

This vehicle provides a payload of approximately 9 tonnes and are supplied to companies operating in sectors such as: Scafffolding, Pump & Generator Hire and Specialist Erection Services

Option 2 A purpose built crane mounted vehicle for the portable cabin industry

Truck

Supply of a 26T Chassis Cab, with a 9 tonne front axle, sub chassis to suit up to a fifty tonne crane, Sleeper Cab, drawbar spec, minimum 380 horse power, Rear Air Suspension, Rear Lifting and Steering Back Axle. As access is an issue for a maximum length rigid we believe a rear lifting and steering can be invaluable.

Body

26 foot Hardwood Floor Body, Galvanised Side Raves, 4 Lashing Rings on each side of the body, 6 foot hydraulic extension (for transporting 32 feet cabins), Twist locks at 10, 20, 24 and 32 feet and also twist locks that extend the width for 9 and 10 feet cabins. A ladder rack, work lights on the headboard, a chain well, pad carriers conveniently designed behind the front and rear legs, stainless steel tool boxes, a VBG 57mm coupling. A maximum gross weight of 44 tonne between the truck and the trailer can give you up to a 21 tonne payload

Crane

We recommend a minimum of 40 tonne meter crane with 5 hydraulic extensions (i.e this allows you to lift an empty 20ft container when the trailer is coupled with a rigid) and a radio remote control.

Application

This vehicle provides a payload of approximately 10 tonnes and are supplied to companies operating in sectors such as: Portable cabin Hire, Pump & Generator Hire and Specialist Transport Companies

Option 3 A purpose built crane mounted vehicle for the plant industry:

Truck

Body

26 foot Hardwood Floor Body with ramps that allow you to load over the rear end of the vehicle and acts as a flat. The hydraulic ramps have 3 positions, vertical, horizontal and fully open. Our cheesewedge body has an excellent loading angle for moving for example tar pavers. There is a control box towards the rear of the vehicle to control the ramps and winch.

As per our standard build the vehicle is fitted with ladder racks, work lights, chain well, pad carriers, winch, stainless steel tool boxes, 4 lashing rings at each side of the body, several tying points on the body, rope hooks on each cross member, a high specification body with an expected payload of around eight tonnes the truck can couple to a 20ft drawbar trailer. That can be modified to have a load through facility for loading plant from the trailer to the rigid. A maximum gross weight of 44 tonne between the truck and the trailer can give you up to a 21 tonne payload.

Crane

We recommend a minimum of an 18 tonne meter crane which allows you to double stack a 20 foot container or if there is a requirement to lift 24 foot or 32 foot ant-vandal proof containers and double stack them up to a 45 tonne meter crane would be recommended. Any more than this would greatly effect the payload as a plant body can be up to 1.2 tonnes heavier than a flat.

Application

This vehicle provides a payload of between 8.5 to 13 tonnes (dependent on crane size) and are supplied to companies operating in sectors such as: Plant and Machinery Hire and Specialist Transport Companies

Option 4 A purpose built crane mounted vehicle for the plant industry:

Truck

Supply of a 32T Chassis Cab, with a minimum of 2 x 7.5 tonne front axles, sub chassis to suit up to a fifty tonne crane, Sleeper Cab, drawbar spec, minimum 410 horse power, Rear Air Suspension, Rear Lifting and Steering Back Axle. As access is an issue for a maximum length rigid we believe a rear lifting and steering can be invaluable.

Body

Crane

We recommend a minimum of an 18 tonne meter crane which allows you to double stack a 20 foot container or if there is a requirement to lift 24 foot or 32 foot ant-vandal proof containers and double stack them up to a 45 tonne meter crane we would recommend. Any more than this would greatly effect the payload as a plant body can be up to 1.2 tonnes heavier than a flat.

Application

This vehicle provides a payload of between 12 to 16 tonnes (dependent on crane size) and are supplied to companies operating in sectors such as: Plant and Machinery Hire and Specialist Transport Companies

Option 5 A purpose built crane mounted vehicle for the Portable Cabin industry:

Truck

Supply of a 32T Chassis Cab, with a minimum of 2 x 7.5 tonne front axles, sub chassis to suit up to a sixty tonne crane, Sleeper Cab, drawbar spec, minimum 410 horse power, Rear Air Suspension, Rear Lifting and Steering Back Axle. As access is an issue for a maximum length rigid we believe a rear lifting and steering can be invaluable.

Body

Crane

We recommend a minimum of a 40 tonne meter crane which allows you to double stack a 20 foot container or if there is a requirement to lift 24 foot or 32 foot ant-vandal proof containers and double stack them up to a 45 tonne meter crane we would recommend.

Application

This vehicle provides a payload of between 13 to 16 tonnes (dependent on crane size) and are supplied to companies operating in sectors such as: Portable cabin Hire and Specialist Transport Companies

Option 6 A purpose built tractor unit either Double Drive or Tag Axle

Truck, Crane & Application:

In terms of tractor units most would be fitted with a minimum 60 tonne meter crane with 6 hydraulic extensions. We would mostly build on double drive units as they provide more traction and are good off road, whilst being very stable on the road offering a GVW of 65 or 80 Tonnes.

Given the short wheelbase of a tractor unit with a crane weighing up to 8 or 9 tonnes sitting behind the cab, at MV commercial we like the stability of the double drive. However, there are certain disadvantages, fuel economy, turning circle and of course the additional cost. The other option would be to opt for a tag axle tractor which would be approximately one and a half tonnes lighter, it would have a better turning circle and would be less expensive.

In our view it really depends on the nature of your work, where you are based and also the conditions of local road networks and whether you require good traction on sites. This is something that requires careful consideration. In terms of the main specification of the vehicle we recommend a long wheelbase tractor that can couple to a trailer with a 1.7 meter pin.

From experience building any lorry mounted crane vehicle requires the right chassis, the right body and crane, and as importantly must be built to a quality standard with the correct unladen weight. As well as having a high standard sub chassis with the ride height to be as low as possible. The same applies to a tractor unit with crane where the right running height of trailer makes a huge difference to the performance of the vehicle and runs at the right height to ensure the trailer runs flat.

Option 7 A purpose built crane mounted vehicle for the Generator Industry:

Truck

Supply of a 32T Chassis Cab, with a minimum of 2 x 9 tonne front axles, sub chassis to suit up to a sixty tonne crane, Sleeper Cab, drawbar spec, minimum 410 horse power, Rear Air Suspension, Rear Lifting and Steering Back Axle -As access is an issue for maximum length rigid we believe a rear lifting and steering can be invaluable. Also available as a Double Drive Rigid.

Body

Crane

We recommend a minimum of 60 tonne meter with 6 hydraulic extensions, this allows you to lift a 1000kva generator or if there is a requirement to lift and double stack 32 foot anti-vandal proof cabins, this crane could also be used for building complexes to take generators/cabins to site and would have the capability to perform as a mobile crane on site. The crane could be used for the quick and efficient loading and unloading of vehicles and does not need to conform to the same regulations as a mobile crane. It could alleviate the need for use of mobile cranes on site, particularly in the development of modular space complexes.

Application

This vehicle provides a payload of between 10 to 12 tonnes (dependent on crane size) and are supplied to companies operating in sectors such as: Construction Industry, Generator Hire, Portable cabin Hire and Specialist Transport Companies. This vehicle and crane operates under different rules and regulations compared with operating a mobile crane, the driver of this vehicle is the Slinger and authorised Person and therefore one person can carry out the work of three in a quicker and more cost effective manner.

As things can change very quickly on site, a truck mounted crane has far greater advantages overall, than ordering a mobile crane for certain lifts.

Option 8 8x4 Tractor unit with 85T/M Crane and Fly Jib

Truck

Supply of a 80T– 50T GVW Tractor Unit, with a minimum of 2 x 9 tonne front axles, sub chassis to suit up to a 100 tonne crane, Sleeper Cab, minimum 480 horse power, Steel Suspension, Double Drive, Not exceeding an unladen weight of 26 tonnes. This truck will take 1.7M Deep pin trailers.

Crane

We specify purely a Palfinger PK85002 Crane with 7 hydraulic extensions, and a Fly Jib with a further 6 hydraulic extensions and up to a 5T winch. This particular crane would compete with a 30T Tonne Mobile Crane, it has a reach of 32.5 Metres and will lift 900kgs at full reach, whilst still lifting 16 tonnes close in. This vehicle would lift any portable cabin and particular 60ft long and 10ft wide modular complexes, and would have the capability to perform as a mobile crane on site. The crane could be used for the quick and efficient loading and unloading of vehicles and alleviate the need for use of mobile cranes on site, particularly in the development of modular space complexes.

Application

This vehicle can run on special types up to 150T GVW and is compatible with all trailers. We have supplied this type of vehicle to customers who have requirements that need one vehicle to perform a variety of work. This type of vehicle currently operates with customers who require a multi-use vehicle to operate under a Tractor Unit, are supplied to companies operating in sectors such as: Construction Industry, Generator Hire, Portable cabin Hire and Specialist Transport Companies. This vehicle and crane operates under different rules and regulations compared with operating a mobile crane, the driver of this vehicle is the Slinger and authorised Person and therefore one person can carry out the work of three in a quicker and more cost effective manner.

As things can change very quickly on site, a truck mounted crane has far greater advantages overall, than ordering a mobile crane for certain lifts.

Crane Mounted Vehicle Overview

Finally there are 5 main components to the effective development of a crane vehicle:

The chassis
The sub chassis
The crane
The body
The paintwork

All of this has to be coordinated in a build that takes no longer than 1 month to complete. We have built in excess of 200 trucks in the last 7 years and have gained a great deal of experience in building a quality product. Most of the trucks we build go into our own contract hire fleet and we gain valuable feedback from our customers. We provide the best one stop shop facility in the UK in our opinion providing our customers an end to end solution on most occasion without them having to even leave their premises.

We assess your needs, design you a truck, build it, paint it, arrange finance, deliver it to your door and take back your part exchange if necessary. Giving you a relatively seamless solution for your new crane mounted vehicle.

Crane Mounted Vehicle Overview

Finally there are 5 main components to the effective development of a crane vehicle:

The chassis
The sub chassis
The crane
The body
The paintwork