The heaviest truck in the world
The heaviest truck in the world is the BelAZ 75710, an ultra-class haul truck built in Belarus. Fully loaded, it reaches a gross vehicle weight of roughly 810 metric tons (about 1.78 million pounds) and holds the highest rated payload of any truck in service at 450 metric tons (496 short tons), making it the benchmark for sheer mass and carrying capacity in mining.
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What “heaviest” means in mining
When experts talk about the “heaviest” truck, they typically refer to gross vehicle weight (GVW): the truck’s mass when fully loaded. GVW is different from curb (empty) weight and from payload capacity. The BelAZ 75710 leads on both the most consequential measures—highest rated payload and highest GVW—used to compare ultra-class haul trucks in open-pit mining.
BelAZ 75710: the record-setter
Developed by the Belarusian Automobile Plant (BelAZ) and unveiled in 2013, the 75710 was engineered to move more rock per trip than any other rigid-frame haul truck. Its diesel-electric drivetrain, eight-tyre layout, and massive dump body are optimized for high-volume coal, iron ore, and copper operations where cycle efficiency is paramount.
Key specifications and capabilities
The following points outline the core specifications that explain why the BelAZ 75710 sits at the top of the heaviest-truck rankings.
- Payload capacity: 450 metric tons (approx. 496 short tons)
- Gross vehicle weight (GVW): about 810 metric tons when fully loaded
- Empty (curb) weight: roughly 360 metric tons
- Powertrain: twin MTU 16V4000 diesel engines, each around 1,715 kW (about 2,300 hp), driving an AC electric traction system; combined output ~3,430 kW (~4,600 hp)
- Configuration: 8×8 with two steerable axles and eight 59/80R63 radial earthmover tyres
- Top speed: up to about 64 km/h (40 mph) under light conditions
- Dimensions: approximately 20.6 m long, 9.8–9.9 m wide, and 8.2 m tall (site-specific configurations can vary slightly)
- Notable record: documented highest payload rating for a production haul truck; used in large open-pit operations since 2013
Taken together, these specifications show how the 75710 pairs extreme structural capacity with redundant power and traction to safely carry the largest loads currently feasible in surface mining.
How it achieved the crown
BelAZ scaled the 75710 by combining proven elements—diesel-electric drive, modular engine redundancy, and high-capacity tyres—at an unprecedented size. Splitting propulsion across two engines improves uptime and allows more flexible power management, while the eight-tyre layout spreads weight and reduces ground pressure, aiding manoeuvrability and haul road longevity. The design has been validated in production at large coal and ore mines, particularly in Eurasia.
Closest competitors and how they compare
Several ultra-class trucks come close on payload but still trail the BelAZ 75710’s figures. The list below highlights leading models and their headline ratings to show the gap.
- Caterpillar 798 AC: payload about 372 t (410 short tons)
- Caterpillar 797F: payload about 363 t (400 short tons)
- Komatsu 980E-5: payload about 363 t (400 short tons)
- Liebherr T 284: payload about 363 t (400 short tons)
- XCMG XDE440: payload about 440 t (claims vary by configuration and site rating)
Despite steady advances—especially in AC-drive trucks from Caterpillar, Komatsu, Liebherr, and Chinese manufacturers—the BelAZ 75710 remains the only production model with a 450 t rating, keeping it at the top for both payload and gross weight as of 2025.
Why being the heaviest matters
In high-throughput mines, larger payloads reduce the number of trips required, increase shovel match efficiency, and can lower cost per tonne—provided the site’s haul roads, loading tools, and maintenance programs are engineered for ultra-heavy units. The 75710’s scale thus offers potential productivity and cost advantages, but only where infrastructure, tyre supply, and fleet support can match its demands.
Considerations and constraints
Operating the world’s heaviest truck comes with challenges: specialised tyres and components, stringent haul road standards, precise loading to avoid over-stressing the frame, and comprehensive maintenance regimes. Mines also weigh the trade-offs between a few very large trucks versus more numerous slightly smaller units, considering redundancy, availability, and capital deployment.
Summary
The BelAZ 75710 is the heaviest truck in the world, leading both in rated payload (450 t) and gross vehicle weight (around 810 t when loaded). Since its 2013 debut, no competitor has surpassed its carrying capacity in production service, keeping it the reference point for maximum-scale haulage in open-pit mining.
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Which is the heaviest truck in the world?
The heaviest truck in the world is the BelAZ 75710, a massive mining dump truck built in Belarus. When fully loaded, this behemoth weighs approximately 840.5 tons, has a payload capacity of 450 metric tons, and is powered by two V16 diesel engines generating a combined 4,600 horsepower.
Key Features of the BelAZ 75710
- Massive Size: It is 20.6 meters (67 feet) long, over 8 meters (26 feet) high, and 10.2 meters (33 feet) wide.
- Dual Engines: Two 16-cylinder diesel engines provide power for its heavy-duty tasks.
- Electric Transmission: The engines generate electricity to power electric traction motors, making it a powerful hybrid machine.
- Payload Capacity: It can haul an astonishing 450 metric tons (496 short tons) of material.
- Specialized for Mines: The BelAZ 75710 is designed for open-pit mining operations, moving huge quantities of rock and ore.
- Record Holder: The BelAZ 75710 holds the Guinness World Record for the heaviest working machine on wheels.


