Is a hiab the same as a crane truck?

Yes. A hiab is a truck with a crane mounted on it — the same thing most people call a crane truck. Hiab is simply the best-known brand of truck-mounted crane, so the name stuck.

How much can a hiab truck lift?

It depends on the truck and, more importantly, how far out the load sits. A load close to the truck can be much heavier than the same load at full reach. Tell us the weight and how far it needs to travel from where the truck can park, and we'll match the right rig.

Do I need a ticket to operate a hiab?

You don't need anything — our operators are ticketed and experienced, and they do the lifting. You just need to tell us where the load is going and keep the drop zone clear.

Do you provide hiab truck hire across Brisbane?

Yes. We cover all of Brisbane including the CBD, southside, northside and bayside, plus the Gold Coast, Logan, Ipswich and the Sunshine Coast.

Brisbane's Trusted Crane Truck Hire

Hiab Truck Hire Brisbane

One truck that delivers your load and lifts it into place — hiab hire across Brisbane and South East QLD.

Call Now

Safety First

Safety in everything we do.

Modern Fleet

Well-maintained and reliable.

Experienced Team

Skilled operators and dedicated support.

On Time, Every Time

Reliable service you can count on.

5.0 from 32 Google reviewsFully insuredTicketed operatorsOpen 24 hoursFixed upfront pricing

Google Review

"Outstanding service and reliability. Todd and his crew have always been very prompt, flexible and professional with every job we request of Central Crane Trucks. Pleasure doing work with this team and will continue to use them in the future. Thanks guys!"

— Scott Lehner

A hiab is a truck with its own crane on the back, which means the same vehicle carts your load and lifts it exactly where it needs to go. That saves you booking a truck and a crane separately, saves a second site visit, and gets awkward loads over fences, across excavations and up to the level you're working on. Central Crane Trucks runs hiab trucks across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Logan, Ipswich and the Sunshine Coast, with ticketed operators, full insurance and fixed upfront pricing.

What is a hiab?

"Hiab" is the brand name that became the everyday word for a truck-mounted crane. The crane is mounted behind the cab and folds away for travel, so the truck arrives loaded, sets its legs, and places the load without any second machine on site. If you want the longer explanation, read our guide on what a hiab is and when you need one.

What a hiab truck can lift for you

Shipping containers and site sheds, structural steel, roof trusses and wall frames, brick and block packs, generators and pumps, water tanks, spas, retaining blocks and feature rocks. Anything heavy, awkward, or sitting somewhere a forklift simply cannot reach.

Over the fence and out of tight spots

The real value of a hiab is reach. We regularly lift loads over front fences, past power lines, across established gardens and onto upper levels — placing them where your crew is actually working instead of dumping them on the kerb.

Why hire a hiab instead of a separate truck and crane

One booking, one arrival, one invoice. There is no waiting for a crane to show up after the delivery, no double handling, and no coordination risk between two contractors. For most everyday deliveries and placements around South East Queensland a hiab is faster and simpler than hiring transport and lifting gear separately.

Hiab truck hire across Brisbane & SE QLD

We are based in Ormeau, which puts us within easy reach of the Gold Coast, Logan, southern Brisbane, the CBD, Ipswich, Brisbane's northside and the Sunshine Coast. We're open 24 hours, so early starts and after-hours windows are no problem.

Frequently asked questions

Is a hiab the same as a crane truck?: Yes. A hiab is a truck with a crane mounted on it — the same thing most people call a crane truck. Hiab is simply the best-known brand of truck-mounted crane, so the name stuck.
How much can a hiab truck lift?: It depends on the truck and, more importantly, how far out the load sits. A load close to the truck can be much heavier than the same load at full reach. Tell us the weight and how far it needs to travel from where the truck can park, and we'll match the right rig.
Do I need a ticket to operate a hiab?: You don't need anything — our operators are ticketed and experienced, and they do the lifting. You just need to tell us where the load is going and keep the drop zone clear.
Do you provide hiab truck hire across Brisbane?: Yes. We cover all of Brisbane including the CBD, southside, northside and bayside, plus the Gold Coast, Logan, Ipswich and the Sunshine Coast.

Ready to get lifting?

Tell us about your job and we'll send a fast, fixed-price quote with no obligation.

0488 366 661