Haul trucks are off-road, heavy-duty dump trucks specifically engineered for use in high-production mining and exceptionally demanding construction environments. Most are dual axle; at least two examples of tri-axles were made in the 1970s. Haul trucks are denominated by their payload capacity, by weight (variously in tons, tonnes, and kg).
Description
Most haul trucks have a two-axle design, but two well-known models from the 1970s, the 350T Terex Titan and 235T WABCO 3200/B, had three axles. [2] Haul truck capacities range from 40 short tons (36.3 t; 35.7 long tons) to nearly 500 short tons (454 t; 446 long tons).
An example on the smaller end is the Caterpillar 775 (rated at 70 short tons [62 long tons]).[3]Quarry operations (which produce payloads that have value) are typically employ smaller trucks[why?] than mining operations (such as removing undesirable overburden, an expense).[citation needed]
Haul trucks can generally be distinguished from standard dump trucks by:
Being far too large to travel legally on public roads
Having a dump body made of exceptionally strong steel plate that extends over the cab to protect it, angled upright at its end (or entirely) to aid in dumping; some are heated by exhaust gases to prevent loads from sticking or freezing to the bed;
Having a driver's cab narrower than its body;
No axle suspension;
Limited speed and operating range;
Special off-road only tires;
A ratio of dead weight to payload not exceeding 1:1.6[citation needed]
Type of body (hopper, platform, sliding hopper, sliding platform).
Ultra class
The largest, highest-payload-capacity haul trucks are referred to as ultra class trucks. The ultra class includes all haul trucks with a payload capacity of 300 short tons (270 long tons) or greater.[4] As of October 2013[update], the BelAZ 75710 has the highest payload capacity, 450 metric tons (440 long tons; 500 short tons).[5]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Haul trucks.
Orleman, Eric C. (2000-11-10). Johnson, Paul (ed.). Building Giant Earthmovers. Motorbooks Colortech. United States of America: MBI Publishing Company. ISBN978-0-7603-0640-6. Retrieved 2010-03-02. The ultra-hauler class includes trucks with a capacity rating of 300 tons and above.
"Off-Highway Trucks from Caterpillar". Caterpillar Website. Caterpillar Inc. 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-09-24. Retrieved 2009-10-21. Developed specifically for high production mining and heavy-duty construction applications ...