Clitheroe
Shap
Horwich, Bolton
Chorley
Horwich, Bolton
Clitheroe
Shap
Horwich, Bolton
Chorley
Horwich, Bolton
When it comes to removing waste from construction, landscaping, or excavation sites, muck away is one of the most efficient and cost-effective solutions available, especially when paired with grab hire.
Whether you’re dealing with soil, rubble, or hardcore, the right service can save you time, money, and hassle.
At Armstrongs, we operate a modern fleet of tipper trucks and grab wagons, backed by our own landfill and recycling facilities at Pilkington Quarry.
This means we’re not just collecting waste, we’re also responsibly sorting, recycling, and repurposing it wherever possible.
Why Armstrongs is trusted by civil engineers, tradespeople, and developers across the North West
Whether you're comparing muck away prices or simply wondering how much is a grab lorry, this guide will give you everything you need to know.
Muck away is the process of removing waste materials, usually large volumes of soil, spoil, rubble or debris, from building sites, landscaping projects, or infrastructure works. It’s a key part of any job that involves groundworks, site clearance or excavation.
These services are typically used by:
Builders and developers
Groundwork contractors
Councils and public sector teams
Farmers and landowners
Homeowners carrying out major renovations
Rather than hiring multiple skips or manually shifting materials, many professionals opt for grab truck waste removal, which streamlines the process and keeps sites clear and safe.
Muck away isn’t one-size-fits-all. Waste materials are typically classified into three main types, and it’s important to know the difference:
This includes uncontaminated materials like soil, concrete, brick, hardcore, and subsoil. Because these don’t undergo chemical or biological change, they’re the most straightforward, and often cheapest, to dispose of.
A broader category of materials that aren’t dangerous but may need extra sorting or processing. This might include mixed construction waste or green waste.
Contains materials harmful to human health or the environment, such as asbestos, contaminated soil, or chemicals. Armstrongs does not currently provide hazardous waste removal, but we’re happy to advise if you’re unsure what your waste contains.
Our grab lorries and tippers are regularly used for soil removal, rubble clearance, and general muck away services across the North West, transporting waste directly to our own treatment and landfill sites.
When it comes to muck away and large-scale waste removal, both grab lorries and tipper trucks play a key role, but they’re suited to slightly different situations.
A grab lorry (also known as a grab wagon) uses a hydraulic grab arm to lift and load waste directly into the vehicle. This makes it ideal for sites with limited access, or where materials are piled in areas that are difficult to reach with a digger or wheelbarrow.
A tipper truck, on the other hand, requires waste to be loaded manually or with machinery. While it doesn’t offer the same reach, it’s perfect for high-volume waste removal, especially when access isn’t an issue.
At Armstrongs, we operate a large fleet of both:
8-wheel rigid tippers, capable of carrying up to 20 tonnes
Articulated tipper trucks, with a capacity of up to 29 tonnes
This flexibility means we can provide the right solution whether you're clearing a small site or managing waste from major groundwork operations.
If you’ve never booked a grab lorry hire before, the process is simple — and designed to minimise disruption on your site.
Our grab lorries use a hydraulic arm to collect the waste and load it directly into the truck. Alternatively, if a tipper is used, your team can load it using an excavator or wheel loader.
Once the vehicle is full, it heads straight to our Pilkington Quarry, where we manage all waste under strict environmental and safety standards.
Soil and spoil are reused as inert fill.
Brick and concrete are crushed and reused as recycled aggregate.
We aim to minimise landfill use and recycle wherever possible.
This approach ensures responsible disposal, cost efficiency, and a lower carbon footprint, all delivered by a trusted, regional provider.
So, how much does a grab lorry cost to hire?
In most parts of the UK, grab hire typically ranges from £150 to £350+ per load. The final price depends on:
The type of waste being collected
Your location
The size of the load
Accessibility of the site
For example:
An inert-only load (such as soil or rubble) is cheaper to dispose of and usually at the lower end of the price scale.
Mixed or contaminated loads cost more due to the additional sorting and disposal requirements.
At Armstrongs, we aim to keep our grab wagon costs competitive, offering transparent pricing and tailored quotes for every job.
When estimating your total muck away cost, there are several factors to consider:
Load size: Grab lorries typically carry 8–16 tonnes, while tippers can transport more. Larger loads may reduce cost per tonne.
Type of waste: Inert materials like soil and hardcore are cheaper to process than mixed or hazardous waste.
Travel distance: The further your site is from our disposal facilities, the more transport will influence the cost.
Site access: Limited access may require additional equipment or labour, affecting the price.
Regional variation: Costs vary across the UK, prices in the North West (where Armstrongs operates) are often more competitive than those in the South East.
If you’d like a precise quote, our team is always happy to discuss your site requirements and recommend the most cost-effective solution.
When comparing grab hire with skip hire, the right option often comes down to the size of the job, access to your site, and how quickly you need the waste removed.
Grab hire offers a faster, more efficient service, especially for larger loads. The hydraulic grab arm means less manual labour is required, and there’s no need to wait around for someone to fill a skip. With larger capacity per load and no permit required for roadside collection, it’s ideal for construction sites or bulk waste removal.
Skip hire, on the other hand, is better suited for smaller or ongoing projects. But skips can quickly fill up, especially with heavy materials like soil or rubble. They also often require council permits if placed on public land — which adds time and extra cost.
For larger volumes or time-sensitive projects, Armstrongs’ grab hire services usually offer better value for money. We take care of everything from loading to disposal — saving you labour, hassle, and additional fees.
At Armstrongs, waste doesn’t go to waste.
Once collected, materials are transported to Pilkington Quarry, our dedicated facility in Horwich. There, we operate a comprehensive recycling programme that separates and repurposes waste wherever possible:
Brick and concrete are crushed on site and turned into recycled aggregates, ready for use in construction and road-building projects.
Clean soil and spoil are used for land restoration, landscaping, or inert fill, keeping usable materials out of landfill.
Any non-recyclable inert waste is processed responsibly, in line with environmental regulations.
This approach not only reduces environmental impact, but also allows us to pass on cost efficiencies to customers looking for a more sustainable solution.
In addition to our muck away service, Armstrongs also accepts third-party inert waste at Pilkington Quarry.
Whether you're a contractor, local authority, or landscaping business, you can make use of our licensed tipping facility for:
Soil and subsoil
Hardcore, rubble, and bricks
Clean concrete
We welcome long-term partnerships for inert tipping and recycling, and we’re committed to maintaining high standards of environmental care across all of our operations.
Our aim is always to divert as much waste as possible from landfill through recycling and repurposing, keeping your site clear and your project more sustainable.
With a fleet of over 70 modern wagons, Armstrongs is equipped to handle muck away and grab hire services of any scale. Powered by Scania, our 8-wheel and articulated tipper trucks are built for performance, safety, and fuel efficiency — ensuring your waste is moved quickly and reliably.
We’re proudly based in the North West, offering prompt and professional service across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, and surrounding regions.
Whether it’s a one-off job or part of a long-term project, you can rely on Armstrongs to show up on time and get the job done right.
With decades of experience in quarrying, aggregate supply, and waste management, we understand the full picture, from the ground up.
We work with:
Homeowners tackling garden renovations
Builders and groundworkers managing site clearances
Councils and contractors requiring reliable haulage and tipping
As a one-stop solution, Armstrongs offers everything from excavation and collection, to recycling and landfill services, making your project more efficient and more sustainable.
Prices typically range from £150–£250+ for a single load of inert waste. Costs may increase for mixed or hazardous materials, or for sites with difficult access.
The quoted price generally includes collection, loading (using the grab arm if required), transport, tipping, and waste processing.
No, unlike skips, grab lorries do not require a roadside permit, which saves both time and money during planning.
A typical 8-wheel grab lorry can carry around 16 to 18 tonnes of material in a single load.
Yes, our fleet can deliver aggregates and collect waste in a single, efficient trip, reducing transport costs and carbon emissions.
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