Hi all, I’ve had class 1 for some time, just fancy a change and something with better hours which I’m hoping the hiab job would provide. Trouble is I’ve been doing the night time trunks up to Durham from s. Wales and it’s pretty much straight forward, would I be giving myself a headache going for the hiab route. Any help most appreciated.
Hi Everyone,
I’m just waiting for my provisional licence to come back and I’ve been thinking about what kind of jobs I’m going to aim at once I’ve passed LGV C+E.
One thing I’ve noticed is that there’s a lot of adverts for HIAB drivers and it pays a premium with agencies. So I was wondering if it’s worth doing extra training for it. What kind of work does HIAB driving involve? Why is there an apparent shortage of HIAB drivers? What’s the catch?
Also, what about ADR training? Is it a good career move? I read elsewhere on the forum that having ADR means that some agencies keep ADR drivers “on standby” waiting for the work to come in.
Thanks,
Andy
If you are doing HIAB work then you are likely to be seeing a lot of building sites, which can be fun trying to get in avoiding all the plant left around.
I’ve got my ADR, but never used it - in all honesty I would not consider carrying anything VERY hazardous (to me) for an extra £1 an hour, although it has not stopped me getting work at the agencies…
G
Specialist certificate work might all be that’s left to us after the next European expansion 
So HIAB seems worth the trouble; ADR less so.
What do others think of threats to our jobs from Eastern European workers? Something for the future or is it happening already?
Over here certain firms in GERMANY
pay a better wage for ADR trained
drivers , and the difference in wages
quite good.
skynaut,if I was you ,I would pass my Class 1 and look at emigrating to one of the English speaking Commonwealth countries,that’s what I’m planning to do.
In January 2007 we get to play host to the Bulgarians and Romanians(polite name for ■■■■■■).
Don’t think I can take much more of this country getting run into the ground by Blair and his cronies.
From what i;ve seen you get paid about the same for Hiab class 2 as you do for class 1 work.
Most Hiab is going to be multidrop, which i guess is why most people dont want it.
Seems like a good value investment for Hiab training when you compare the cost with the pay rates.
Thanks for the advice, everyone. I’ll go for HIAB training and perhaps ADR.
I am a Class 2 Hiab driver for a construction company, moving materials and plant. I much prefer the job to multidropping as I only get a two or three jobs a day. Plus I rarely see another driving job that pays as much (even class 1)
here is a diary from a couple of weeks ago, it might give you an insight.
Enjoyed that 8 wheels.
Looks like a fun job. I’m definitely going to do the HIAB course now.
Is the lifting gear difficult to operate? I’m a bit worried about working with all that plant after just a day’s training!
It is basically just common sense, and a bit of ‘feel’
The crane on mine has six levers
Legs in/out
Feet up/down
Main lift ram up/down
Knucle joint up/down
Extendable boom in/out
Slew L/R
They are hydraulic operated valves rather than electric switches so more lever equals more movement. It takes a while to get confident and to be able to position things exactly but when it works out it is a good feeling. The worst thing that I lift are 6m long augers up to 600mm diameter weighing about a ton, the hook rotates freely of the crane and they can start to turn if you are not operating smoothly or there is a bit of wind. However experience has taught me how to work the levers to get them to turn the way I want.
We have another similar vehicle with a 39t/m rear mounted crane that is fully remote controlled. I had to drive it for a week when mine was off road for MOT, it took a while to adapt as the electric switches give a lot less feel than the valves. Everything seemed to take a lot longer to do, and often it would decide that what you were doing was wrong and wouldn’t let you do it, as it had a brain of its own. I was glad to get mine back, although a remote pack would be handy as much of my work is single man operation, with me slinging and then operating the crane from the vehicle side. The remote pack allows you to stand on the vehicle, on a wall or wherever gives you best visibility or control.
It is probably just what you are used to as I am sure the other driver would moan about using my crane.
I always wanted to do HIab and considered paying for the training myself, but decided that because there is no standard test / accreditation I wouldn’t bother.
If you go somewhere with a ticket and no experience you are no better off, some companies will put you through their trainer to get it done their way. Builders merchants are probably the best way into HIab although not the best paid, that said you wouldn’t get a week like the one in my diary and would probably keep regular hours. I enjoy my job, am paid well for doing it (more than a lot of class 1 jobs advertised locally) but have to put in the time.
You might find it better to try and get a job and some experience non Hiab first as it is less to cope with all at once. Test vehicles are often on the smaller end of the scale 12t - 18t whereas Hiabs often come as 26t or 32 t (6 / 8 wheelers), may have more gears and want a little more room to manouevre.
If you stick at it, you will find that sooner or later the right job will open up.
Where are you based? Someone might suggest a potential employer.
I generally post diaries on a Friday night if you are not scared off by that one.
Have a look at this company, have they a depot near you?
They are a properly sorted outfit, good equipment and good training. I went for a job interview just after passing my test, they would consider new drivers as they gave all drivers a two week induction and training session when they started. Then they would give you a small 13t vehicle until something bigger was available. Unfortunatelt it was no good for me as they wanted you available for nights out.
They are advertising vacancies for several depots.
8 wheels, sorry to be late responding–helpful advice. The job leads you suggested are far from me, but I don’t see a huge problem as there always seems to be jobs for HIAB drivers in Yorkshire.
I think I’ll still try to do the training as there’s always a chance of picking up agency experience while sussing out permanent jobs.
Andy
I got my hiab cheap through the agency, one day course, £95 including grab training.
1st job was with B&Q through BRS, went ok with only one old guy watching my every move as he got one bag of sand. I did feel a bit miffed at getting sent out at 4pm with a 3rd full load. Didn’t get the truck back to base until 9pm.
For a reasonably regular early finish, scaffolding trucks were ok, (nobody on building sites after 4.30pm), and they’re not too pleased if you turn up after 3.45pm. Only drawback with scaffolding is the state of the loads when picking up at sites, you have to go through everything to make sure no small fittings are in among big stuff. I enjoyed that kind of job though, wouldn’t call it multidrop, sometimes only 3 loads a day. I get a glorious 75p extra an hour for the hiab on a class 2. 
Gordy:
I got my hiab cheap through the agency, one day course, £95 including grab training.
My driving school offers the course as part of a package–not sure of the individual price but it’s around that figure. Seems like a good bet considering the amount of work it could open up.
For the money it’s got to be worth a go. Even if you apply for a F/T job with no actual experience of using it, you will have a basic understanding of the principles. If they want to send you on their course anyway it’s not like you have wasted pots of cash.
Keep us posted of your progress.
8wheels:
Keep us posted of your progress.
Licence back last week, theory test next week. I know there’s going to be a steep learning curve, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.