How many Cat 797 trucks are there?

The exact number is not publicly disclosed by Caterpillar; however, the best available industry estimates indicate there are over 1,000 Cat 797 haul trucks (all generations combined) in existence worldwide as of 2025. The figure aggregates original 797 models and subsequent 797B and 797F variants delivered to large surface mines, with most units concentrated in a handful of major mining regions.

What counts as a “Cat 797”?

When people ask how many Cat 797 trucks there are, they usually mean the total number built or in service across all generations of Caterpillar’s ultra-class mechanical-drive haul truck family: the original 797 (late 1990s), the 797B (2000s), and the current 797F (introduced in 2009 and still produced). Depending on context, counts may include trucks delivered but retired, rebuilt units still operating after frame life extensions, or only active trucks in the field.

Why there isn’t an exact public number

Several practical and commercial factors make a precise, up-to-the-minute tally hard to find outside Caterpillar’s internal systems and major mine operators’ fleets.

• Caterpillar does not routinely publish model-by-model production totals or an active fleet count for the 797 line.
• Ultra-class trucks cycle through rebuilds: a “new” unit may be a life-extended truck, while retired frames may be decommissioned, parted out, or repurposed, complicating totals.
• Fleet sizes at large mines change with market cycles; trucks can be parked (mothballed) during downturns and returned to service later.
• Deliveries are distributed across multiple global dealers and regions, and not all sales or retirements are publicly reported.

Because of these factors, public sources tend to cite rounded fleet figures or qualitative phrases such as “over one thousand” rather than a precise running total.

What credible estimates say

Trade press interviews with OEM and dealer personnel, industry presentations, and Caterpillar’s marketing materials over the past decade have consistently framed the Cat 797 fleet as numbering in the “over 1,000” range worldwide. Given steady deliveries of the 797F to high-production mines through the 2010s and 2020s—and the long service life of these trucks—this remains a reasonable approximation in 2025 for the combined generations (797, 797B, 797F).

Where most Cat 797s operate

The global fleet is heavily concentrated in a few mining hubs where ultra-class mechanical-drive trucks are favored for high-volume haul cycles and where support infrastructure (maintenance bays, rebuild facilities, and parts logistics) is well established.

• Canada (Alberta oil sands): one of the largest concentrations, with fleets numbering in the dozens at single sites.
• Australia (iron ore and coal in Western Australia and Queensland): multiple major operators run sizable 797 fleets.
• Chile and Peru (copper): high-altitude copper operations use 797s extensively.
• United States (Nevada, Arizona) and Mexico: gold and copper operations with significant ultra-class fleets.

These regions account for the majority of 797 deployments, with smaller numbers in Southern Africa and other mining jurisdictions.

How to get the current number today

If you need the most current and precise count, there are several practical ways to verify it beyond public summaries.

1. Ask Caterpillar or a Cat dealer directly: corporate communications or the local dealer’s mining division can provide model-specific fleet and delivery figures for customers and media.
2. Consult major miners’ disclosures: annual reports, sustainability reports, and technical reports sometimes list haul-truck counts by model at flagship sites.
3. Review industry presentations: mining conferences and investor days (from both OEMs and miners) occasionally disclose fleet composition and orders.
4. Use satellite imagery and fleet-tracking intelligence: specialized mining analytics providers offer site-by-site equipment counts, updated periodically.

Combining OEM input with operator disclosures typically yields the most reliable snapshot of the active 797 fleet at a given time.

Background: the Cat 797 lineup

The Cat 797 series is Caterpillar’s flagship mechanical-drive ultra-class haul truck, built primarily in Decatur, Illinois. The original 797 entered the market in the late 1990s, followed by the 797B in the early 2000s and the 797F from 2009 onward. The 797F, with a payload class around 400 short tons and a Cat C175-20 engine, remains in active production, supported by extensive rebuild programs that can keep frames operating for well over a decade in harsh mining cycles.

Summary

There is no official public tally of how many Cat 797 trucks exist, but the weight of industry evidence places the combined global fleet at over 1,000 units as of 2025. The exact figure varies with new deliveries, rebuilds, and retirements, and can be confirmed most reliably through Caterpillar, major dealers, or large mine operators’ disclosures.

How much does a cat 797 cost?

A new Caterpillar 797 mining truck costs approximately $5 million, though the price can vary significantly based on customer specifications. The total price for a 797 can even range from $6 to $8 million, when including factors like shipping, handling, taxes, and infrastructure changes required at the mine site.
 
Factors influencing the price:

• Customization: The final price depends on the specific configurations and features chosen by the customer. 
• Ancillary costs: The purchase price doesn’t include the extensive costs for infrastructure, such as preparing the mine roads, enlarging service shops, and setting up fuel depots. 
• Shipping: Trucks are delivered in pieces, requiring 12 semi-trucks for transport, which adds to the overall cost. 
• Operating costs: Fuel consumption alone can cost over $770,000 per year for a single truck, making the total cost of ownership substantial. 

How many Caterpillar 797 are there?

In the last two decades, Caterpillar has produced over 1,000 797 Large Mining Trucks — and the majority are still on the job. The first 797 has logged more than 130,000 hours and is still hard at work in the Canadian Oil Sands. And there are countless others well on their way to achieving even higher hours.

How much does a tire cost for a cat 797?

$42,500
Cost of huge tires – Cat 797 is Caterpillar’s off-highway, two-axle, mechanical powertrain haul truck. It uses massive 13-feet-tall tires that weigh 11,860 pounds. Each tire, made by either Bridgestone or Michelin, costs $42,500. A full set requires six tires that cost $5.5 million.

What is the largest cat dump truck in the world?

The BelAZ 75710 is the biggest dump truck in the world by payload capacity, with the ability to haul a staggering 496 tonnes. The Caterpillar 797F is also considered one of the largest, capable of carrying up to 400 tons.
 
You can watch this video to learn about the BelAZ 75710 and the Caterpillar 797: 42sExtreme ForceYouTube · Nov 23, 2023
BelAZ 75710 (World’s Biggest) 

• Payload Capacity: 496 tonnes (tonnes is a metric unit for tons, with 1 tonne = 1,000 kg).
• Manufacturer: Mining Technology.

Caterpillar 797F (One of the Largest) 

• Payload Capacity: Up to 400 tons.
• Manufacturer: Caterpillar.
• Engine: Houses a Cat C175-20 diesel engine.
• Drivetrain: It is a direct-drive, mechanical-drive truck.
• Tires: Runs on six large Michelin or Bridgestone tires, each over 12 feet tall and weighing more than 10,000 pounds.

This video shows the construction process of a Caterpillar 797F: 1mAaron WittYouTube · Oct 28, 2022