Why Front Stabilisers + 360-Degree Slew Are Game-Changers for Crane Truck Operations

Front stabilisers and 360-degree slew capability on your crane truck can make all the difference in tight, urban construction zones when it comes to lifting performance and operational flexibility.

Front stabilisers aren’t part of a truck’s standard spec. Instead, they’re an essential upgrade for operators who need full 360-degree slew capability when lifting with a crane. Mounted on a full-length chassis extension that projects beyond the front of the cab, these stabilisers dramatically enhance stability, especially during long-reach lifts over the front of the vehicle, allowing for a truck to lift and shift into tighter spots without having to reposition the truck.

We can fit a wide range of cranes onto chassis fitted with NATO front stabiliser legs, including Palfinger and Hiab

MV Commercial has built dozens of trucks with Front Stabilisers offering 360-Degree Slew to this specialised specification for leading UK operators, helping power some of the most versatile and capable fleets in the industry.

Here’s Why These Two Features Are Critical to Crane Operators:

·         Front Stabilisers: Lifting Over the Cab, Safely

Traditional rear-mounted stabilisers limit lifting zones to the sides and rear, with very limited over the cab functionality. But front-mounted hydraulic stabilisers (like those fitted to the FH540’s NATO beam extension) open a whole new dimension:

·         Lifting over the front cab becomes safer and more stable

·         Enables better weight distribution, essential for working with heavy loads

·         Increases the overall lift capacity of the crane at longer outreach points

·         Vital for solo crane truck work in tight access environments (think city centres)

·         360-Degree Slew: Full Freedom of Movement

With increased stabilisation, trucks like the Volvo FH500 rigid and the Volvo FH 540 artic can slew a full 360 degrees, giving operators the freedom to lift more over the front and place loads without repositioning:

·         Reduces time lost during setups or repositioning

·         Maximises productivity on confined or congested sites

·         Ideal for lifting modular buildings, site cabins, or machinery in unpredictable urban settings

Case Study : NDC Services

MV Commercial delivered a custom-built Volvo FH460 crane truck to NDC Services, featuring a Hiab X-HiPro crane and a NATO beam extension with front stabilisers for full 360° slew capability.

Designed for tight urban job sites, the vehicle offers impressive lifting power with up to 18 tonnes at close range and nearly 6 tonnes at a 15-metre reach.

Built to FORS Gold standards with Euro 6 compliance, safety upgrades, and extended lighting, the truck was delivered in just six weeks, far ahead of standard lead times.

Case Study: AC Services Branbury

MV Commercial delivered a high-spec Volvo FH460 8x2 cheesewedge to AC Services Branbury, equipped with a powerful Palfinger PK65002-SH E Boom crane and a three-axle Fruehauf drawbar trailer for enhanced payload and logistics flexibility.

Engineered for complex heavy-lift operations, the unit boasts 470kg lifting capacity at 30.6 metres, a fly jib and hoist system for over-building lifts, and 360° slew with front stabilisers for full performance across all angles.

Built at MV’s Airdrie facility and delivered via Grantham, the truck was paired with vehicle a drawbar trailer for improved versatility.

The NATO Beam Extension: Small Addition, Big Impact

To accommodate the front stabilisers, MV Commercial used a manufacturer chassis with a 400mm NATO beam chassis extension which is a structural upgrade that is needed for different kinds of front support, including crane, concrete pumps and skylifts.

This extension allows the stabilisers to be mounted further forward, creating a broader stabilisation footprint. The result? Even through front legs will never give 100% capacity over the front, the enhanced front-end stability when lifting over the cab, especially at long reaches or when using large cranes, makes these idea for getting the most out of each and every job.

Crucially, the NATO extension is also engineered not to interfere with onboard systems like AEBS (Advanced Emergency Braking System), maintaining full safety compliance while maximising utility.

“This setup allows us to deliver and build site accommodation directly, even on tight-access sites,” says the MV Commercial team. “It’s a powerful, nimble solution for complex jobs.”