Regan Brown
Giant mining dump trucks are huge machines that transport essential raw materials such as coal, limestone, and oil sand. These trucks are so large that they cannot be driven on public roads and must be disassembled and shipped to the customer. The largest mining dump truck in the world, the Belarus-made Belaz 75710, has a payload capacity of 496 tonnes and reportedly consumes around 1,300 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres. In this article, we will explore how much diesel fuel giant mining dump trucks use and compare the fuel efficiency of different models.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Length | 20.6 metres |
| Height | 8.16-8.17 metres |
| Width | 9.87-10.6 metres |
| Weight | 360 tonnes |
| Top speed | 64-68 km/h |
| Fuel consumption | 1,300 litres per 100 km |
| Engine | 20-cylinder diesel engine |
| Engine power | 3,500-4,000 HP |
| Transmission | Diesel-electric |
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What You'll Learn
The BelAZ 75710 is the world's biggest mining dump truck
The BelAZ 75710 is an ultra-class haul truck with a conventional two-axle setup and four wheels, with two wheels doubled up on each axle. This gives the truck four-wheel drive and four-wheel hydraulic steering, which is unusual. The wheels are one-metre-tall and each is designed for about 100 tons of load. The truck has a turning radius of about 31 metres and a turning diameter of about 20 metres.
The BelAZ 75710 is in high demand in the mines of the Kuzbass region of the Russian Federation, in certain coal strip mines of Chile and North America. The truck was originally ordered by a Russian mining company and sales were scheduled to start in 2014. The truck is priced at $6 to $8 million, minus shipping, handling, export, import, sales, and tax fees.
The BelAZ 75710 is not just the world's biggest mining dump truck, but it is also the world's largest mining two-axle all-wheel-drive dump truck. Its performance is so impressive that it has been put forward for inclusion in the Guinness Book of Records.
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It consumes 1300 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres
The largest mining dump truck in the world, the BelAZ 75710, reportedly consumes around 1,300 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres. This behemoth of a vehicle, introduced in 2013, measures 20.6 metres in length, 8.16 metres in height, and 9.87 metres in width, with a gross weight of 360 tonnes. It is powered by two 16-cylinder turbocharged diesel engines, generating a combined power output of 4,000 HP.
The extraordinary fuel consumption of this truck underscores the challenges faced in the mining industry regarding fuel usage and sustainability. With a standard large fuel tank holding around 7,500 litres of diesel, the BelAZ 75710's fuel efficiency translates to a range of just under 600 kilometres. This highlights the need for alternative solutions, such as the development of electric mining trucks, which are becoming an increasingly attractive option.
While all-electric mining trucks are still in their early stages, the benefits of electric transmissions are significant. Electric trucks offer a more sustainable and predictable energy source, reducing reliance on volatile global fuel supplies. Furthermore, advancements in technology, such as turbochargers, have improved the efficiency of diesel-electric trucks, resulting in reduced fuel consumption and lower emissions.
The race to find more sustainable solutions is on, and it is likely that the future of mining operations will see a shift towards electric and hybrid power systems. However, for now, the giant mining dump trucks remain reliant on substantial fuel consumption, with the BelAZ 75710's impressive capacity coming at a cost of 1,300 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres.
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Diesel-electric mining trucks are turbocharged
Despite the increasing popularity of electric technology, diesel-electric drivetrains remain a mainstay in the mining and construction industries. Diesel-electric mining trucks are turbocharged to improve the engine's performance and efficiency.
Mining trucks are huge, heavy, and fuel-thirsty machines. They can carry enormous loads weighing up to 400 tons and need to transport them over steep inclines. The Caterpillar 797F, for example, has a payload capacity of 400 short tons (363 metric tons) and can maintain a top speed of 42 mph (68 km/h) while transporting heavy loads.
The benefits of turbochargers in diesel-electric mining trucks are significant. Turbochargers improve power density and efficiency, resulting in substantial reductions in fuel consumption and emissions. They can provide up to 75% of the engine's power while only contributing around 10% to the overall engine cost. This makes diesel-electric mining trucks with turbochargers a compelling option for mining operations.
The Caterpillar 797F, for instance, utilizes a quad-turbocharged, 20-cylinder diesel engine. This engine configuration enables the truck to achieve its impressive payload capacity and speed while reducing fuel consumption compared to its predecessor, the 797B. The use of turbochargers in diesel-electric mining trucks is a key factor in enhancing their performance, efficiency, and sustainability.
In addition to the benefits of turbochargers, diesel-electric mining trucks offer other advantages. They do not require lengthy charging periods as they generate power on-site. This is achieved by converting the mechanical force from the diesel engine into electrical power using an alternator, similar to a static diesel generator. The absence of a gearbox in diesel-electric trucks also simplifies the driving experience, as drivers do not need to worry about gear changes or losing momentum when ascending steep inclines.
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Diesel-electric trucks are an attractive alternative to all-electric trucks
The BelAZ 75710, the biggest dump truck in the world, consumes up to 1,300 litres of diesel fuel per 100 km. The Caterpillar 797F, the second-biggest mining dump truck, has a mechanical drive powertrain instead of a diesel-electric powertrain.
Another advantage of diesel-electric trucks is their suitability for long-haul transportation. While all-electric trucks have made advancements in battery efficiency, enabling them to travel longer distances on a single charge, they still require prolonged charging times. Every hour of revenue time for an all-electric truck necessitates an additional 19 to 25 minutes for charging, resulting in longer journey times. In contrast, diesel-electric trucks can refuel quickly and get back on the road, reducing downtime and simplifying scheduling.
Diesel-electric trucks also benefit from a more mature infrastructure. While the fast-charging infrastructure for all-electric trucks is expanding, diesel-electric trucks have a more established network of refuelling stations. This mature infrastructure ensures that diesel-electric trucks can operate more efficiently, particularly over long distances, without worrying about the limited availability of chargers.
Furthermore, diesel-electric trucks do not face the same upfront cost challenges as all-electric trucks. Despite advancements in battery technology, all-electric trucks still have a higher upfront cost, which can be a significant barrier for many businesses. Diesel-electric trucks, on the other hand, have a more established market with stable pricing, making them a more financially viable option for fleet managers.
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The Caterpillar 797F is the third-biggest mining dump truck
The Caterpillar 797F is a mining dump truck that was introduced in 2008 and entered full production in 2009. It is the third generation of the Caterpillar 797, which was first launched in 1998. The 797F is a significant improvement over its predecessor, the 797B, with a higher payload capacity and a more powerful and efficient engine.
The Caterpillar 797F is powered by a 4,000 hp (2,983 kW) Cat C175-20 ACERT 20-cylinder diesel engine, which provides a significant increase in power compared to the 797B's engine. This engine enables the truck to achieve a top speed of 68 km/h (42 mph) when transporting a load of 345 tonnes (380 short tons). The 797F offers one of the largest haul truck payload capacities in the world, with a capacity of up to 400 short tons (363 tonnes).
The Caterpillar 797F has a mechanical powertrain, which sets it apart from its competitors that use diesel-electric transmissions. This mechanical powertrain, combined with its large fuel tank, makes the 797F one of the most fuel-efficient trucks in the industry. While exact fuel usage is not available, a similar truck, the Caterpillar 789, uses about 1000 litres of fuel per shift.
The Caterpillar 797F is a popular fixture on Australian mine sites and is known for its reliability and productivity. With its large payload capacity, powerful engine, and fuel efficiency, the 797F is a highly capable mining dump truck.
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Frequently asked questions
The BelAZ 75710 is the biggest mining dump truck in the world and uses around 1,300 litres of diesel fuel per 100 kilometres.
The power output of each of the BelAZ 75710's two engines is 2,300 horsepower.
The BelAZ 75710 has a payload capacity of 450 metric tons, or 496 tons.
