Can a HIAB Lift Over a House?
If you’ve ever watched a lorry-mounted crane carefully manoeuvre heavy materials into a tight space, you may have wondered: can a HIAB lift over a house? The short answer is sometimes but it depends on several key factors. A HIAB (named after the Swedish manufacturer Hiab) is a truck-mounted loader crane commonly used for lifting and transporting heavy goods such as building materials, machinery, cabins, hot tubs, and steel beams. These cranes are popular across construction, landscaping, and residential delivery projects because they combine transport and lifting in one vehicle. However, lifting over a house is a more complex task than simply placing materials onto a driveway. Understanding HIAB Reach and Capacity Every HIAB crane has two critical specifications: Maximum lifting capacity Maximum reach (boom extension length) The further the crane extends, the less weight it can safely lift. For example, a crane that can lift several tonnes close to the vehicle may only lift a few hun...