plant hire - head to head
Hydrema vs Thwaites
Both makes turn up on the same shortlists, and the honest answer is that they are built for different buyers rather than one being better than the other. Here is what actually separates them - from a directory that sells neither.
| Hydrema | Thwaites | |
|---|---|---|
| Built in | Denmark | England (Leamington Spa) |
| UK availability | Available, smaller network | Widely available - large UK network |
| Range covers | Articulated dump trucks/dumpers, Wheeled excavators, Backhoe loaders | Site dumpers, from walk-behind through to large swivel-tip machines |
| Best known for | 9-series dumpers | Site dumper range |
Choose Hydrema if...
Hydrema is a family-owned Danish manufacturer of dump trucks, wheeled excavators and backhoe loaders aimed at mid-size earthmoving rather than the largest civils plant. Its dumpers are favoured by UK groundworks and forestry contractors who need strong traction and payload on soft or uneven ground.
Look at: 9-series dumpers, MX excavator range
Full Hydrema profile →Choose Thwaites if...
If you have hired a site dumper in Britain, there is a good chance it was a Thwaites. A focused manufacturer rather than a full-line one, and that focus is why hire fleets keep buying them.
Look at: Site dumper range
Full Thwaites profile →Where to hire or buy either
Most UK plant hire companies carry several makes and advertise none of them, so the practical move is to find the firms covering your area and ask what is on the yard.
Hydrema vs Thwaites - common questions
Is Hydrema better than Thwaites?
Neither is better outright - they are built for different buyers. Hydrema is a family-owned Danish manufacturer of dump trucks, wheeled excavators and backhoe loaders aimed at mid-size earthmoving rather than the largest civils plant. Its dumpers are favoured by UK groundworks and forestry contractors who need strong traction and payload on soft or uneven ground. If you have hired a site dumper in Britain, there is a good chance it was a Thwaites. A focused manufacturer rather than a full-line one, and that focus is why hire fleets keep buying them.
Which is easier to get hold of in the UK, Hydrema or Thwaites?
Hydrema: Supported in the UK through a dedicated North Yorkshire-based distributor (Hydrema UK) rather than a wide multi-brand dealer network. Thwaites: A British dumper specialist stocked across UK hire fleets.
Can I hire rather than buy?
Yes. Most UK plant hire companies hire as well as sell, and many carry several makes without listing them. Search by your area and ask what they have on the yard.
Other comparisons
GetBrent is an independent directory and is not a dealer for, nor affiliated with, either manufacturer. Brand and model names are the trademarks of their owners, used here only to identify the products they refer to. Specifications vary by model year and market - confirm weights, dimensions and towing limits with the supplier before hiring or buying.