HIAB capacity is one of those things that sounds simple but isn't. People hear '7-tonne crane' and assume the truck can lift 7 tonnes anywhere within reach. The reality is more nuanced — capacity drops sharply as the boom extends, access constraints often matter more than weight, and obstacles like trees and power lines can rule out a job that would otherwise be fine.
This guide explains how to read HIAB specs, what the typical Perth setup can actually do, and the questions to ask before you book. If you'd rather just describe your job and see whether it's in range, the instant quote tool does that in about 20 seconds.
Weight: how the load chart works
Every HIAB has a load chart that shows maximum lifting capacity at different boom extensions. The chart looks like a curve: high capacity close to the truck, dropping off as the boom extends.
A typical mid-sized Perth HIAB might be rated 7.5 tonnes at 4 metres (close in), 3 tonnes at 8 metres, 1.5 tonnes at 12 metres, and around 1 tonne at maximum 15-metre reach.
What this means in practice: the same crane that can pick up a small car beside the truck might struggle with a 1.5-tonne spa at the back of a deep yard. The weight matters, but where it has to go matters more.
Reach: horizontal vs vertical
Reach is measured horizontally from the centre of the truck. A 15-metre reach means the load can be placed up to 15 metres away from where the truck is parked.
Vertical reach is usually the same or slightly less — most HIABs can lift to roughly the same height as their horizontal reach, minus a couple of metres for the boom geometry.
For Perth residential work, 15 metres of horizontal reach covers: most backyards behind single-storey houses parked on the street, two-storey rooftops with the truck in the driveway, and apartment plant decks up to about 4-5 storeys with good road access.
Access: the part most people forget
Capacity and reach are the easy bits. Access is what stops jobs that look fine on paper.
The truck needs a place to park — usually on the street directly in front of the property — with enough clearance for the crane to extend. That means no cars, no skip bins, and ideally no overhanging trees in the lift path.
Overhead power lines are the most common deal-breaker. By law, the crane has to maintain minimum clearance from live wires (typically 3-6 metres depending on voltage). If the lift path crosses a power line, the job either needs the wires de-energised by Western Power, or it can't be done.
- Clear truck park on the street (no cars in the way)
- Lift path with no overhead power lines
- No low branches or tree canopies blocking the boom
- Stable ground for the truck's outriggers
- Confirmation that the load weight matches the reach needed
Common Perth jobs and what they need
Most residential HIAB work in Perth fits within a small set of standard scenarios. Here's what each typically requires:
- Backyard spa (400-800kg, 8-12m reach): standard HIAB, no special access
- Aircon onto single-storey roof (40-100kg, 8m reach): straightforward
- Aircon onto two-storey roof (40-100kg, 12m reach): needs good street access
- Pool shell (1.5-2.5T, 10-14m reach): heavier end of standard HIAB capacity
- Pallet of bricks onto upper slab (1T, 10m): standard residential lift
- 20ft container (3-4T empty, 5T loaded): close-in lift, heavier capacity needed
When to send a photo with your quote
Send a photo if any of these apply: the truck park looks tight, there are visible power lines or trees over the lift path, the property is on a sloped block, the access from street to drop point goes around the side of the house, or you're not 100% sure on the load weight.
Photos save everyone time. The operator can confirm reach and access from the photo before turning up, and you avoid the disaster scenario of the truck arriving and the job being undoable. The quote tool has a photo upload built in — attach it in step 3.
When a HIAB isn't the right tool
There are jobs where a HIAB just doesn't suit:
- Loads over 7-8 tonnes — needs a Franna or mobile crane
- Reaches over 15-16 metres — needs a long-reach crane or boom
- Sites where the truck can't park within reach — physical impossibility
- Jobs requiring multiple lift points and movement around the site — Franna better
- Loads that need to be carried (not placed) over distance — tilt tray better
Common questions.
How do I know if my spa is in HIAB range?
Check the spa weight (usually on the manufacturer spec sheet — typically 200-800kg for a standard spa) and the distance from the street to the drop point. If it's under 800kg and under 12 metres, almost any HIAB handles it. Heavier or further? Send a photo with your quote.
Can a HIAB lift over a two-storey house?
Often yes, depending on the house width and where the truck can park. Standard reach handles most two-storey lifts where the truck parks on the street and the drop point is in the immediate back yard — common for spa lifts in Fremantle and Mount Lawley where heritage cottages have narrow side access. Three-storey is borderline and usually needs a site check.
What about lifting onto a roof in the CBD?
CBD work is doable but more complex — usually needs road permits, after-hours scheduling, and coordination with the building manager. Operators who do regular Perth CBD work can handle it, but expect a longer lead time.
Are there jobs no HIAB in Perth can do?
Yes — anything over the standard 7-8 tonne / 15m envelope, anything where the truck genuinely can't park within reach, or anything requiring lifting over live high-voltage power lines without de-energising. For those jobs, you need a different solution.
Skip the call-back wait. Enter your job on the quote tool and see a real price in about 20 seconds.