What Does HIAB Stand For?

HIAB stands for Hydrauliska Industri AB, which is Swedish for Hydraulic Industries Ltd.

The name comes from the company's Swedish roots, where it was founded in the mid-20th century. What started as a pioneering company in hydraulic lifting technology is now a global leader in load-handling solutions.

Over time, "HIAB" has evolved from a company name to a widely used industry term. In the UK, and in many parts of Europe, people will often refer to any lorry loader crane or truck-mounted crane as a “HIAB,” even if it’s manufactured by another company like Palfinger or Cormach.

The History of HIAB: Where It All Began

HIAB was founded in Sweden in 1944 by inventor Eric Sundin. Sundin created the first truck-mounted hydraulic crane, which used the vehicle’s engine to power a hydraulic arm. At the time, this was a revolutionary approach to materials handling.

Before Sundin’s invention, moving heavy loads required external equipment like mobile cranes or manual labour, both time-consuming and less efficient. HIAB’s innovation allowed operators to load and unload goods directly using a crane permanently mounted on the truck.

This breakthrough changed the landscape of transport and construction forever and cemented Hydrauliska Industri AB (HIAB) as a household name in the lifting industry.

How HIAB Became a Generic Term

Much like how “Hoover” became the go-to word for a vacuum cleaner or “Tannoy” for public address systems, HIAB became the default term for lorry loader cranes. This is because HIAB dominated the market in the early days of truck-mounted cranes, particularly in Europe.

Today, even though there are many manufacturers producing lorry loader cranes, you’ll still hear people on job sites, in haulage depots, or at builder's merchants saying, “Send the HIAB,” even if the crane truck in question is actually from Palfinger, Cormach, or Atlas.

What Makes HIAB Cranes Special?

HIAB is still one of the leading brands in the crane market, known for its reliability, innovative engineering, and range of crane models suited for various industries.

Key Features HIAB is Known For:

• Hydraulic precision: Smooth, controlled movements for delicate and heavy lifting jobs.
• Advanced safety features: Including overload protection and stability monitoring.
• Wide product range: From small crane units to large fly jib-equipped cranes for high-reach operations.
• Remote control systems: Such as the HIAB HiPro system, which allows operators to control cranes from a safe distance.

HIAB continues to innovate today, offering smart technology that improves safety and efficiency on busy sites.

Other Popular Crane Brands

While HIAB may be the most well-known name, the lorry loader crane market has grown to include several top-tier manufacturers, including:

• Palfinger – Renowned for advanced electronics and stability control systems.
• Cormach – Known for their robust, heavy-duty cranes with high lifting capacities.
• Fassi – Popular for their compact cranes with excellent outreach.

At MV Commercial, we supply and hire crane trucks fitted with HIAB cranes as well as leading models from Palfinger and Cormach to suit a variety of customer needs.

Why It Matters in Crane Hire

When someone calls up asking for a "HIAB truck," they might mean any truck fitted with a lorry loader crane. That’s why it’s important to clarify what type of crane system you actually need, especially when considering factors like:

• Lifting capacity
• Outreach (horizontal and vertical)
• Attachments (brick grabs, fly jibs, etc.)

Whether you’re dealing with a traditional HIAB crane or another manufacturer’s system, choosing the right vehicle for the job makes all the difference in terms of safety, efficiency, and project success.