How Much Does the Caterpillar 797 Haul Truck Cost?

A new Caterpillar 797F haul truck typically sells in the mid–single-digit millions of US dollars—most fleets report negotiated purchase prices in roughly the US$5–7 million range, depending on options, location, and support packages. On the secondary market, 797-series trucks (A/B/F) can range from about US$1.5 million to US$5 million based on age, hours, and condition. Because Caterpillar does not publish list prices and transactions are negotiated through dealers, the final figure varies by specification, site needs, and market conditions. Below is a deeper look at why the price varies, how it compares to alternatives, and what to budget beyond the truck itself.

What the 797 Is and Why Pricing Varies

The Cat 797 series is an “ultraclass” off-highway mining truck designed for large open-pit operations. The current-generation 797F, introduced in 2008 and updated over time, uses a mechanical-drive system and is rated for a 400 short-ton (≈363 t) payload, placing it at the top end of mechanical-drive haulage. Pricing varies widely because each unit is configured to the mine’s conditions and productivity targets—things like body selection, liner materials, climate packages, autonomy readiness, and service agreements can shift total acquisition cost by seven figures.

Typical Price Ranges in 2025

New trucks (factory-built, dealer-commissioned)

Recent industry purchasing indicates that a new Caterpillar 797F generally lands around US$5–7 million before taxes and excluding ongoing support. Freight, on-site assembly/commissioning, and optional packages can move the figure higher. Currency movements and local import duties can also add materially to the delivered cost.

Used trucks (dealer-certified or brokered)

Prices for used 797 units vary with model generation, engine hours, and rebuild status. Late-model 797F trucks with moderate hours and documented maintenance often transact in the roughly US$2.5–5 million band. Older 797/797B units, or 797F trucks with very high hours, can fall nearer US$1.5–3 million, with pricing contingent on component life remaining and whether major systems (engine, transmission, differentials) have been rebuilt.

Key Factors That Drive the Price

Several technical and commercial choices influence what a buyer ultimately pays for a 797. The following points outline the most common price drivers that procurement teams weigh when specifying a unit.

• Truck body and liner selection: Lightweight high-volume bodies for coal versus heavy-duty rock bodies and wear liners change both payload behavior and upfront cost.
• Cold/heat/weather packages: HVAC upgrades, cold-weather starting, heated bodies, and extreme-environment kits add cost but protect uptime.
• Technology and autonomy readiness: MineStar systems integration, advanced operator aids, and autonomy-ready hardware/software increase capital cost but can boost productivity and safety.
• Warranty and service agreements: Extended warranties, dealer repair/rebuild commitments, and guaranteed parts availability affect both capex and lifecycle cost.
• Tires and spares strategy: 63-inch radial tires and critical spares (hydraulics, powertrain components) represent significant upfront or early-life expenditure if purchased with the truck.
• Freight, assembly, and commissioning: Disassembly for shipping, transport to site, and dealer assembly/validation can be a sizable line item, especially for remote mines.
• Region and currency: Local taxes/duties, financing terms, and exchange rates can shift out-the-door pricing substantially.

In combination, these choices explain why two outwardly similar 797F trucks can differ by well over a million dollars in purchase price while being optimized for different mine plans.

How It Compares to Other Ultraclass Trucks

Buyers often benchmark the 797F against other 350–400+ short-ton trucks. While exact list prices are not public, indicative market ranges for new, similarly equipped units are broadly comparable across manufacturers.

• Komatsu 980E-5 (electric drive): Generally priced in a similar mid–single-digit millions range, depending on options and site support.
• Liebherr T 284 (electric drive): Also typically in the mid–single-digit millions, varying with body configuration and service agreements.
• Caterpillar 798 AC (electric drive): Cat’s electric-drive alternative, often competitively priced with 797F depending on mine preferences for drive type and fleet standardization.
• BelAZ and XCMG ultraclass entrants: Pricing can be competitive, particularly in specific regions, though support networks and parts logistics are critical considerations.

While headline prices are similar, differences in drive systems, dealer support depth, technology stacks, and residual values often sway total cost of ownership more than the initial number.

What to Budget Beyond the Sticker

Acquiring a 797F is only part of the investment. Mines typically plan for several additional cost categories in year one and across the lifecycle.

• Shipping, import, and site assembly: Crating, ocean/land freight, duties, and dealer commissioning to mine standards.
• Tires and wheels: A full set of six 63-inch tires is a significant investment; availability and pricing can vary by region and market conditions.
• Spare parts and component kits: Stocking critical spares minimizes downtime but adds upfront cost.
• Body liners and wear protection: Especially important in hard rock; affects both capex and payload efficiency.
• Technology subscriptions and training: Mine management systems, autonomy/assist features, and operator/technician training.
• Service contracts and rebuild planning: Dealer-supported maintenance and long-horizon rebuilds (e.g., frame-up or certified rebuild programs) that shape lifecycle economics.

These items can move the first-year cash outlay meaningfully above the ex-works truck price, but they also underpin productivity and availability targets tied to the mine plan.

How to Get a Firm Quote

Because Caterpillar sells through its dealer network and prices are negotiated, the only way to get a precise figure is to request a formal proposal tailored to your site. The steps below help streamline the process.

1. Define your duty cycle and mine plan: Payload, haul profile, climate, and target availability inform the specification.
2. Lock down configuration: Body type, liners, technology suite, and any climate or autonomy packages.
3. Request a detailed quotation from your Cat dealer: Include options for warranty, service, and parts availability guarantees.
4. Compare total cost of ownership: Evaluate fuel efficiency, component life, dealer support, and residuals versus alternatives.
5. Assess rebuild pathways and financing: Explore certified rebuild options and financing terms to manage lifecycle cash flow.

A structured RFQ that captures site realities typically yields tighter pricing and more reliable availability and performance commitments from the dealer.

Bottom Line

Expect to budget about US$5–7 million for a new Caterpillar 797F, with used units commonly ranging from roughly US$1.5–5 million depending on age, hours, and maintenance history. Final pricing hinges on configuration, location, support, and market conditions—so a dealer-issued, site-specific quote is essential for accuracy.

Summary

The Caterpillar 797F is an ultraclass, 400 short-ton mechanical-drive haul truck. New units generally transact around US$5–7 million, while used prices vary widely with condition and model generation. Configuration choices, dealer support packages, freight/assembly, and regional factors are the main drivers of variation. Benchmarking against comparable Komatsu, Liebherr, and other ultraclass trucks shows broadly similar headline pricing, making total cost of ownership and support infrastructure the decisive factors in procurement.