Grab lorry hire is one of the many ways businesses and construction sites can effectively manage their waste.
But what are grab lorries, and how do they differ from skips?
Discover more about grab hire, including why they are helpful and when to use them, and let Forge help you choose the best waste disposal method for your project.
What is grab hire?
The primary function of a grab lorry is the same as a skip — to remove and dispose of waste safely.
However, the main difference between a grab truck and a skip is the amount of rubbish they hold.
Grab lorry hire removes larger waste quantities, usually from commercial, construction or landscape sites where more rubbish is accumulated. A grab truck also uses a hydraulic arm and bucket to collect waste from hard-to-reach or inaccessible areas.
An average grab lorry is around 3 metres wide, 3.8 metres high, and 7.8 metres long. The trucks can carry between 16 to 18 tonnes of waste and, depending on the waste material, a volumetric of 12 to 15 cubic metres.
You can use grab hire to dispose of general, garden and hardcore waste, including concrete and topsoil. The arm function picks up heavier waste items that may otherwise be difficult to remove.
Why is grab hire beneficial?
Grab lorry hire can be a valuable alternative to skip hire if you have a large amount of waste to eliminate or if accessibility is an issue.
Grab hire removes rubbish from both domestic and commercial sites safely and efficiently. The lorries have a more significant waste capacity than most standard skips, and their design enables them to fit in areas where a skip may not.
When hiring a grab lorry, you’ll also eliminate the need for permits, as the trucks can quickly remove all the waste from the roadside with minimal disruption. Because of this, grab truck hire is a good option for those with limited private outdoor space to store a skip.
Skip hire vs grab hire
Skip and grab hire are excellent options for safely and effectively removing waste from a home, business or building site.
Skip hire is better suited for building projects that have the space to store a container, such as on a private driveway. Many people hire a skip to assist with their house clearances or renovations. Having a skip nearby that can be gradually filled with waste and building debris allows for a more personalised project pace.
Grab hire, on the other hand, could be more effective for large-scale waste management or areas with limited space. Grab lorries arrive, collect and remove the waste in one day. If your waste is neatly set out ready for collection, it could be taken away it could be taken away within 15-20 minutes. While this minimises disruption and provides quick service, there may be better options for ongoing projects.
You also need to ensure any waste is left in an open space with plenty of clearance around either side. This means placing it away from foliage, low-hanging trees, and overhead cables.
The cost of grab hire can also be considerably more than skip hire, especially considering how long you have access to the lorry and container. In some cases, such as if there are more items to remove, grab lorry hire is more cost-effective.
Grab truck hire is typically best suited for commercial clients and construction companies with more significant waste disposal needs.
For home clearances and renovation projects, we recommend browsing our skip sizes and types, including lockable and covered containers. Contact Forge today to discuss your waste removal needs.