Choosing the Right Grab Lorry Size for Your Project

Every building project generates waste, and how you manage it directly influences your budget and schedule. A mini grab of 6 cubic metres is cheaper to hire, but might require more trips to complete the job than an 8-wheeler, which could do it in a single trip. Then again, it makes no difference if you book that 8-wheeler when it cannot go down your driveway or onto ground too soft to support its weight. Before you even consider capacity, your site determines which vehicles work. And there are narrow streets, low branches, tight gates, and wet ground to consider when choosing the right vehicle.

The industry produces a range of vehicles, each built to perform different jobs and withstand varying site conditions. Here is a grab lorry size guide that discusses all types of vehicles in detail.

Mini grab lorries: The compact size

Ideal for limited access

Grab hire is now accessible to thousands of residential properties because mini grab lorries can reach places where larger lorries cannot. At just 2.3 metres wide and 6 metres long, a mini grab lorry size vehicle goes down most driveways and even through standard gates. The 4 to 6 cubic metre capacity is used in clearing gardens, shed removals, and small extension dig-outs.

Ideal application and reach capabilities

The grab arm is up to 5 metres long, collecting over fences into back yards or lifting materials on your drive while the lorry waits on the road. They are popular with people doing patio work or landscaping work because they avoid the hassle of manual loading into skips. So, it is ideal as a quick-in-and-out service compared to skips sitting around for weeks.

Standard 6-wheel grab lorries: The popular middle ground

This size dominates the UK market

A standard-size grab lorry is the most requested in the UK market due to its capacity and accessibility. A 6-wheeler is 7.5 metres long and 2.5 metres wide, and moves 10 to 12 cubic metres in a single run. The grab lorry load size is appropriate for home extensions, complete kitchen refits, and landscape works where mini grabs would require numerous trips.

Practical reach and site suitability

The 8 metre grab reach allows operators to pick up your driveway while parked on the street, or to drive onto your property if there’s enough space and stable ground.

Large 8-wheel grab lorries: Commercial powerhouses

Maximum capacity for major projects

Commercial sites and major groundworks need the serious attention these vehicles provide. An 8-wheel grab lorry holds 16 to 20 cubic metres and can reach up to 10 metres with its hydraulic arm, pushing through heavy excavations and demolition waste quickly. These lorries are approximately 9 metres long but keep the same 2.5 metre width, so length rather than width becomes the limiting factor.

Essential access considerations

Site access needs to be thoroughly checked because these lorries weigh over 32 tonnes when loaded, and not every access road or site entrance handles that weight safely. You’ll also need proper turning space and ground conditions, so they are definitely not suitable for soft surfaces or restricted residential areas.

What actually determines your best choice

Selecting the correct lorry size involves assessing multiple site-related factors along with simple volume calculations.

• Access width and height
  Measure gates, street width, and turning circles accurately because vehicles unable to reach waste piles achieve nothing except wasted call-out charges.
• Overhead restrictions
  Phone lines, tree branches, and building overhangs can prevent the grab arm from operating, even when lorries physically fit through.
• Ground conditions
  Soft surfaces after rain become dangerous for heavier vehicles, which particularly affects 8-wheelers.
• Material density
  Wet clay weighs more than dry topsoil for the same volume.
• Parking regulations
  Public road loading may require permits, and waiting time may cost money per hour.

Conclusion

The right vehicle keeps everything running smoothly, whereas getting it wrong causes costly issues that no one planned for in their budgets. Therefore, instead of guessing the size of the grab lorry, match the vehicle to what you actually need, and you will not have to make multiple trips with undersized lorries or oversized ones that can’t access your site. Calculate your volumes correctly, check the access points, and describe your materials accurately before booking.

If you need a professional service, GW Grab Services is here to help. The company specialises in providing the practical guidance that matches the right size of grab lorry with the real conditions. Call us now and get truthful advice and competitive quotes tailored to your situation.

FAQs

Can a mini grab lorry fit a standard residential driveway?
The mini grab lorry is 2.3 metres wide and can easily fit into the typical UK driveway, which is between 2.4 and 3 metres wide. You should measure your driveway first and make sure there are no gates or posts that could pose a problem.

What is the best way to calculate cubic metres of waste accurately?
Multiply length, width, and height in metres for regular shapes. When the heaps are irregular, round off and send photos to hiring companies, who will give an opinion based on similar job experience.

What happens if the grab lorry cannot access my property?
Operators check access beforehand. If unexpected issues arise, they’ll suggest smaller vehicles or different positions, though such problems never occur with proper measurement.