Lorry Loader (HIAB) Training
A hydraulic knuckle-boom crane mounted behind a lorry cab, used to self-load and unload the vehicle at kerbside or yard without needing a separate crane or forklift on site.
Where we train HIAB lorry loader operators in NE Scotland
Cluster: Builders' merchant and timber deliveries, farm supply rounds and restricted-access urban deliveries across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire
- Builders' merchant and timber deliveries direct to housebuilding plots
- Steel and pipe deliveries to construction and civils sites without on-site lifting equipment
- Farm input deliveries — feed, fencing materials, building supplies — direct to steadings
- Kerbside deliveries in restricted Aberdeen city-centre streets where a separate crane can't be positioned
Accredited training route
- Scheme
- ALLMI accredited operator scheme (the recognised industry body for lorry loaders)
- Category
- Lorry loader / vehicle loading crane — operator and, where relevant, slinger/signaller combined
- Duration
- 2–3 days for novice operators; 1 day for experienced operators seeking formal accreditation
- Prerequisites
- A relevant driving licence for the vehicle itself; ALLMI training covers crane operation specifically
Outcome: ALLMI-accredited certificate recognised across the construction and haulage sector for insurance and site-access purposes
Load-chart & stability considerations
A lorry loader's stability depends on correct stabiliser leg deployment for the specific kerbside or yard surface it's parked on, which is more variable delivery to delivery than for a yard-based crane — the crane's own rated capacity chart must be read against actual outreach and stabiliser configuration, not assumed from a previous delivery on different ground. We train operators to treat every set-up as a fresh ground assessment rather than a routine repeat.
Inspection points & common failure modes
- Boom and knuckle-joint wear from repeated extension cycles on daily delivery rounds
- Wire rope or chain-sling wear on the load block, particularly where mixed load types are handled
- Stabiliser leg pad wear affecting kerbside set-up stability on variable street surfaces
- Remote-control unit battery and signal reliability, critical for operators working from ground level away from the cab
Regulations we reference
- LOLER 1998
- PUWER 1998
- ALLMI Code of Practice for the safe use of vehicle loading cranes
- Road Traffic Act requirements for the carrying vehicle (separate from crane operator competence)
A finding we train out of your team
"A recurring ALLMI-recognised finding is stabiliser legs only partially deployed on sloped kerbside ground to save time on a multi-drop round — a shortcut that removes the safety margin the crane's load chart assumes."
Training on your own HIAB lorry loader
HIAB training is delivered on the operator's own vehicle-mounted crane, typically at your depot, because stabiliser deployment technique and load-chart familiarity are specific to that crane model — we also cover safe working practice for the kerbside and restricted-access deliveries that are common across Aberdeen's older streets.
Based in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire AB34 — we mobilise across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and North-East Scotland.
FAQ — Lorry Loader (HIAB)
Why is ALLMI the relevant scheme here rather than NPORS?
ALLMI is the specialist industry association for lorry loader / vehicle loading crane training and is the standard recognised route for this specific machine type across the haulage and construction sector.
Do delivery drivers need a separate driving qualification?
Yes — their driving licence category covers driving the vehicle; ALLMI training covers crane operation once parked, and both are needed for a compliant delivery driver-operator.
Can training be combined with slinger/signaller skills?
Yes — for drivers working without a second banksman on multi-drop rounds, combining crane operation with slinger/signaller competence in one course is common and practical.
What is a lorry loader?
A hydraulic crane mounted on a lorry, used to load and unload the vehicle without a separate crane or forklift.
What is a HIAB licence?
People use HIAB licence to mean the lorry loader operator card issued after training and a test on the crane. It is separate from the driving licence for the vehicle.
How does a HIAB crane work?
Hydraulic rams move a folding knuckle boom, while stabiliser legs spread the load into the ground. Capacity falls as the boom reaches further out.
Book HIAB lorry loader training on your own machine
Call Chris directly or request a quote — most bookings mobilise inside a week.
Related training
What is a lorry loader, and how does a HIAB crane work?
A lorry loader is a hydraulic crane mounted on a lorry, usually behind the cab, so the driver can load and unload without a separate crane or forklift. HIAB is a well-known brand name, which is why people say HIAB crane, HIAB training or HIAB licence for any lorry loader. The crane works through hydraulic rams on a folding, or knuckle, boom, with stabiliser legs that must be deployed on firm ground before every lift.
Lorry loader training covers that sequence in order: choosing where to park, setting the stabilisers, reading the rated capacity chart for the outreach in use, operating from the controls or remote, slinging the load and stowing the crane safely before driving away.
HIAB training in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire
Logan Plant Training delivers lorry loader training on the operator's own crane, usually at your depot. Novice operators need 2 to 3 days; experienced operators seeking a formal card usually need 1 day.
There is no separate legal HIAB licence in the UK. The driving licence covers the vehicle on the road; the lorry loader card is the evidence that the operator was trained and tested on the crane. For HIAB training costs, our plant training costs guide shows typical UK ranges, and Chris can quote for your vehicles on 07867 933 018.