Grab Lorry Hire in Scotland: Sizes, Loads and How the Day Works

If you have a pile of soil or rubble to move, grab lorry hire can take care of the loading and removal in one visit. The lorry’s crane lifts prepared material into its own body, so you do not have to load a skip by hand or leave one taking up space.

This guide covers the lorry’s approximate size, what it can carry, how it compares with a skip and what to prepare before the agreed collection.

What is a grab lorry?

A grab lorry is a tipper truck fitted with a hydraulic crane and grab bucket. The driver operates the crane to pick up accessible material and place it in the lorry. The vehicle then takes the agreed load to an authorised disposal site.

The crane does the loading. You need to have the accepted material ready and accessible; excavation, demolition and hand loading are not part of a standard collection.

Lorry size, height and reach

A typical vehicle used for grab hire is approximately 9.5 metres long and 2.6 metres wide. Its height is around 3.7 metres when empty and may be up to 4.9 metres when fully loaded. Treat these as planning figures, not exact measurements for every vehicle.

The crane works from the side of the lorry. It may be able to reach over a wall or fence, but reach depends on the truck’s position, the distance to the material, obstacle height and hazards around the work area. We confirm suitability after reviewing the details; a postcode alone cannot confirm that the crane will reach.

Check the full route and working position, not just the driveway entrance. Tell us about narrow roads, tight turns, low branches, overhead cables, soft ground, slopes, drains and parked cars. The driver must be able to position the lorry and operate safely. The final decision on access rests with the driver.

Send photos and measurements if access is uncertain. They help us assess the actual site before a booking is agreed.

What can a grab lorry carry?

Our standard grab collection is for suitable inert material, including:

• Soil and topsoil

• Gravel and stone

• Bricks, concrete and rubble

Tell us what the material is and where it came from. Mixed general rubbish, plasterboard, timber, plastic, hazardous material and suspected contaminated waste are not accepted as part of a standard inert collection. Keep unsuitable materials separate and ask us about anything you are unsure of before the lorry attends.

A full load can carry up to 16 tonnes, subject to material, volume, vehicle limits and safe loading. That is a maximum capacity, not a promise that every material or collection will weigh 16 tonnes. Dense or wet material can reach a weight limit before the lorry body is full; a lighter, bulkier load may fill the body first.

For details about accepted material and collection conditions, see our grab hire service and grab hire FAQs.

Grab lorry or skip?

A skip is left at the property for you or your contractor to fill. A grab lorry arrives to load a prepared pile and leaves with it, so there is no manual skip loading and no skip left occupying the site.

Grab hire may suit a ready pile of accepted soil or rubble that the crane can safely reach. A skip may suit waste that builds up over several days or material that is not accepted for a standard grab collection. The right option depends on the material, quantity, access and timing.

For grab hire, prices start at £220 + VAT for a typical load. Prices can only increase from that starting point, depending on factors such as location, access and disposal. We confirm the price for your job before a booking is agreed.

What happens on the day?

The process is straightforward when the material and access have been agreed in advance.

Estimates, timing and service area

You can request a free estimate through the quote form. It provides an estimate in seconds; we then review the details and confirm the actual price, suitability and availability. Quote replies usually arrive within one hour during business hours.

Same-day or next-day service may be possible, subject to availability, location and safe access. We confirm the date and arrival arrangements with you before the booking is agreed.

Grab Hire Scotland serves customers across Central Scotland, including Glasgow, Ayrshire, Lanarkshire, Falkirk and West Lothian. Share the job postcode so we can check the location for your particular request.

If you also need new material delivered, aggregate delivery has a 5-tonne minimum. For suitable jobs, aggregate delivery and soil collection can be arranged on the same agreed visit, subject to capacity and access. See our combined delivery and collection service.

Common questions

Do I need to load the lorry myself?

No. The crane loads prepared, accessible material. You do not need to shovel it into a skip, but the lorry does not excavate or hand-load material.

Can the crane reach over a wall?

It may be possible. It depends on the wall, distance to the pile, vehicle position and nearby hazards. Send photos and approximate measurements so we can assess it before booking.

Does an estimate confirm my booking?

No. An estimate is not a confirmed price or reserved date. We will confirm the job details, price and availability before a booking is agreed.

What should I do if I am unsure how much material I have?

Send us an approximate pile size, the material type and clear photos if available. We can discuss the likely requirement. The final load depends on the actual material and safe loading limits.

Tell us what you’re planning. Include the postcode, material, approximate quantity and access details, and we will help work out the right arrangement.