The biggest dump truck is the BelAZ 75710, a 600-ton-capacity off-road hauler built in Belarus for extreme mining operations. It measures 24 meters long, 9 meters wide, and 8 meters tall, with 120 tires and a 3,600-horsepower engine. This machine moves 450 metric tons of material per trip-equivalent to 120 adult elephants.
Designed for open-pit mines, the BelAZ 75710 operates in environments where weight, durability, and payload capacity dominate design. Its hydraulic system lifts the 150-ton dump bed using 16 cylinders, and the chassis is reinforced with high-tensile steel. The truck runs on diesel, consuming approximately 1,200 liters per hour under load. It travels at speeds up to 40 km/h on rough terrain.
Only a few dozen units have been produced since 2013. They are deployed primarily in large-scale mining projects in Russia, Kazakhstan, and South Africa. The BelAZ 75710 is not available for commercial purchase by private individuals or small contractors due to cost, infrastructure demands, and operational complexity.
The BelAZ 75710's core function is moving massive volumes of rock, ore, and waste material from excavation sites to processing zones. It uses a rigid frame with independent suspension on each wheel, allowing stability on uneven ground. The 120-tire configuration includes 16 large dual tires on the rear axle and eight single tires on the front, providing traction and load distribution.
Power comes from a single 12-cylinder diesel engine generating 3,600 horsepower. This drives a hydro-mechanical transmission with four forward and two reverse gears. The braking system combines changing braking and air-assisted disc brakes. During descent, the engine acts as a brake, reducing wear on mechanical components.
Operators control the truck via a cockpit with digital displays showing speed, fuel level, tire pressure, and engine temperature. A GPS-based navigation system tracks location and route efficiency. Data from onboard sensors is sent to central monitoring stations, enabling fleet-wide optimization.
While the BelAZ 75710 is the largest production dump truck, several other models serve specialized roles. The table below compares major heavy-duty dump trucks by payload capacity, dimensions, and primary use.
| Model | Payload Capacity | Length | Engine Power | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BelAZ 75710 | 450 metric tons | 24 m | 3,600 hp | Open-pit mining |
| Volvo A35D | 35 metric tons | 12 m | 600 hp | Construction sites |
| Hitachi ZX550LC-5 | 12.5 metric tons | 10 m | 340 hp | Excavation and roadwork |
| Terex 3300 | 300 metric tons | 20 m | 2,500 hp | Large-scale mining |
Not all large dump trucks are designed for mining. Smaller models like the Volvo A35D are used in urban construction, while the Terex 3300 serves as a mid-tier alternative to the BelAZ 75710. The BelAZ 75710 remains unmatched in size and lifting capability.
The BelAZ 75710 operates exclusively in open-pit mines where material volume exceeds 1 million tons annually. These include copper, iron, and lithium mines in Siberia, the Kola Peninsula, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The truck's ability to carry 450 tons reduces the number of trips needed, lowering fuel consumption and emissions per ton moved.
In a 2022 study by the International Mining Journal, the BelAZ 75710 achieved a 17% lower cost-per-ton compared to smaller haulers in similar conditions. This efficiency stems from reduced downtime, fewer maintenance cycles, and optimized routing through centralized monitoring systems.
Infrastructure requirements are extreme. Roads must support 100-ton loads per axle, and loading areas require excavators with 100-ton bucket capacities. Maintenance teams consist of 12 specialists trained in high-pressure hydraulic systems and advanced diagnostics. Repair times exceed 48 hours for major failures.
Some assume the BelAZ 75710 is used in highway construction or landfill operations. This is incorrect. Its size, weight, and turning radius make it unsuitable for roads or confined spaces. Even dedicated mine access roads must be engineered to handle its 120 tires and 24-meter length.
Another misconception is that the BelAZ 75710 is the heaviest vehicle ever built. While it holds the record for dump truck mass, heavier machines exist-such as the Bagger 288, a bucket-wheel excavator weighing 13,500 tons. However, the Bagger 288 does not transport material; it extracts it.
A lesser-known fact: the BelAZ 75710 was originally developed for Soviet-era mining projects. Design work began in the late 1990s, and the prototype was tested in the 2008 Ural Mountains trials. It was not publicly unveiled until 2013, when it set a record for the largest dump truck at the time.
In 2021, a BelAZ 75710 operated at the Udokan Copper Mine in Siberia. Over six months, it transported 2.3 million tons of ore. The average trip took 18 minutes-one way-covering 2.4 kilometers from the extraction zone to the processing plant. Fuel consumption averaged 1,150 liters per trip. Maintenance intervals were scheduled every 250 operating hours.
During peak season, the mine ran 14 such trucks simultaneously. Operators rotated shifts every 12 hours. One crew member, who had driven the BelAZ 75710 for over 200 hours, reported that the cab felt stable even during steep descents. "You don't feel the movement," he said. "The suspension absorbs everything."
When the truck stopped at the unloading station, a hydraulic ram lifted the bed at a 60-degree angle. Material emptied in less than 90 seconds. The entire cycle-from loading to unloading-lasted 28 minutes.
The BelAZ 75710 is not a dump truck for public road use. It cannot legally operate on highways. Its maximum speed of 40 km/h is below the minimum required for most regulated roads. Transporting it requires special permits, escort vehicles, and route clearance. Moving one unit between mines takes five days and costs over $200,000 in logistics.
It is also not a mobile crane or a bulldozer. Despite its size, it lacks lifting arms, blades, or winches. It moves material only by dumping it from the rear. It cannot dig, push, or lift.
Finally, it is not a consumer product. No individual owns one. The cost exceeds $10 million per unit. Operating it requires a team of engineers, mechanics, and safety officers. Training programs last 18 months and include simulated emergency scenarios.
The biggest dump truck is not just a machine-it's a system. It demands infrastructure, personnel, and planning. Its existence reflects the scale of modern mining and the limits of engineering.