Giant Haul Truck at the Mine

About this drawing

A giant mining truck is one of the biggest land vehicles on Earth. Some models haul hundreds of tons of rock in a single load, and their tires stand taller than a grown adult.

They are so huge that they cannot drive on public roads. They arrive at the mine in pieces, carried on several trucks, and get assembled on site like a giant puzzle. From then on they spend their whole working lives inside the mine, shuttling between the loading area and the crusher.

Many of these trucks run in a surprising way. A big diesel engine does not turn the wheels directly; instead, it makes electricity that powers electric motors in the rear wheels. It is a lot like how many railroad locomotives work.

Driving one takes special training. The operator climbs a ladder to a cab so high that without cameras and sensors they could not see what is right in front of the bumper. That is why pickups at mines fly tall flags or lights, and no one walks near a haul truck without permission. Their brakes and tires take a beating, so crews inspect them constantly and keep spare parts ready on site.

• mining truck
• mining
• haul truck
• heavy equipment
• rocks