Called many different names by operators across the UK, the Grab Lorry or Grab Loader – or ‘Tipper Grab’ is a tipper with a front mounted crane which has been fitted with a grab bucket. These trucks are often seen at roadworks when there are holes to be dug. These grab lorries are responsible for the tidying up after the excavators have finished their work. Once the tipper body has been loaded by the grab bucket, the truck can drop the load using the tipping body at a suitable location. These trucks are usually 6×4 rigids although there are plenty of 8×4 grab loaders for sale at Truckpages.
The most common used grabloader on the Truckpages website are DAF tipper grabs – unsurprising since DAF are UK market leaders across nearly all truck weight ranges. Other popular choice of chassis for a grabloader are MAN, Volvo and Scania.
Look for cranes by Palfinger – especially their Epsilon series or HMF – check that the crane is first life and wasn’t installed second hand.
Make sure there is a current LOLER inspection on the crane and that all elements are fully operational. As it is a grabloader, it will be relatively easy to test the operation of the crane locally. Does it rotate as it should? What condition is the bucket in? Is there more than one bucket/grab available?
As with buying any tipper make sure that the hydraulics are operational and there are no leaks in the tipping mechanism or in and around the crane.
Does the tipping body have an easy sheet system? If so what is the condition of the sheeting and the mechanical system? Is there on-board weighing? Does it work properly? Is the truck fitted with rear and side view cameras?
All of these extras make the job easier, but they will also add to the price of a used grabloader. As with buying any truck always shop around for the right truck with the right equipment – it is much more important getting the right tool for the job, rather than trying to save a couple of pounds at the time of purchase!
Here is a video from Kel-Berg showing a new grabloader with a Palfinger Epsilon M125 crane and grab bucket and under-body tipping ram
A treat for you on this week's front cover. An ex-council Euro 6 2014 DAF LF250 with what appears to be a snow plough front attachment but instead of a gritting body, comes with a demountable hotbox, directly from the council and is available now from CB Commercials. Browse this week's magazine for plenty of Winter season trucks to help with snow and ice clearance. Click Image to Read Click to Read Page Turn Magazine Click Image to Read Use the form at the bottom of the page to add your email address to be advised every time the page-turn…
If you are thinking about buying a grab loader then the truck on this week's front cover could be the perfect Christmas present for you. MV Commercial are selling a 2023 DAF CF450 grab loader ready to go to work. It is fitted with a Thompson body, easy sheet and Palfinger Epsilon M125L crane with a Kinshofer grab. Check out MV's advert on the outside back cover for a host of grab loaders - slightly oder examples and, of course, standard tippers too. Click Image to Read Click to Read Page Turn Magazine Click Image to Read Use the form…
New initiative in partnership with Thompsons UK offers stock-ready tipper and grab loaders Iveco has launched a new Driveaway bodybuilder programme for the X-Way. Driveaway customers now have a choice of stock tippers and tipper grabs available on X-Way 8x4 chassis, with bodies built by tipper manufacturer, Thompsons UK. The tippers will have a single-skinned Loadmasterlite body with front-end tipping gear, air operated auto locking tailgate and loadcells, while the tipper grab is equipped with a Palfinger Epsilon M125 Classic crane with double-skinned Loadmaster body and air operated auto locking tailgate. Bodies can be painted in customer colours or finished…
Ellerslie T&C has praised MV Commercial for delivering a new DAF CF 450 tipper grab direct from its Ready to Go fleet, helping the utilities contractor to avoid lengthy lead times in sourcing the truck from other suppliers. MV Commercial came to the aid of the Glasgow-based firm when it experienced significant problems trying to quickly source a tipper grab to expand its utilities work, with many vehicle manufacturers currently quoting lead times of up to 12 months. The commercial vehicle specialist, which boasts a dedicated Ready to Go fleet of 300-plus units, was able to offer immediate delivery of…
If the decision maker regarding truck buying for a company actually has to drive the truck they are purchasing, then you know that it will be the best truck in their opinion. So, according to Director of A1 Plant & Haulage, Stuart Handley this truck is a Mercedes Arocs 3246 grabloader. It therefore comes as no surprise that Mercedes-Benz vehicles already make up the bulk of the York-based company’s eight-strong line-up. A1 Plant & Haulage was established in 1973 by Mr Handley’s grandfather, Roy. Today the company provides tipper and tipper/grab haulage and hire services, with vehicles – which still…
