BelAZ launches the world's largest mining truck
By Cole Latimer08 October 2013
Supplier News
BelAZ has officially launched a 450 tonne mining dump truck.
It comes as the Belarusian machinery manufacturer celebrates its 65th birthday.
Dubbed the 75710, or 'The 450', it comes with a 25 per cent larger hauling capacity than the 360 tonne model, and is driven by two 16 cylinder, four cycle MTU diesel engines that provide a maximum speed of 64km per hour.
Speaking to BelAZ at AIMEX in August, they told Ferret that the new truck is able to essentially carry an empty 360 tonne BelAZ truck with the company's smaller 240 tonne truck in the back of that, or 2.5 jumbo jets.
According to the company, when fully laden on a 10 per cent gradient, the 450 can maintain a speed of 40 km per hour, providing more efficiency on site.
It uses an AC electric drive Siemens MMT500 electromechanical transmission, with two traction alternators, four traction electric motors and motor wheel reduction gears, auxiliary electric machines,adjustment, and control devices.
To get around site and take the weight of the payload it is fitted with eight wheels, the same size used on the 360, with two turntables axles.
BelAZ says "the outcome of this revolutionary design is a turning radius of just less than 20 meters, with less time wasted on turning around".
It is also built from high strength, low alloyed steel for the light weight welded structure of the truck's frame.
The bucket type body also has a FOPS safety while the cab has a ROPS safety system in accordance with ISO 4371, a protective canopy, and is heated by its own engine exhaust gas.
Noise levels inside the cab are less than80dB.
In an effort to create standardisation and ease training across its range, BelAZ has built it work within the same specifications as the 360, so operators do not need additional training.
The truck is currently undergoing fieldtrials as the Bachatsky open pit coal mine in Siberia.
BelAZ says it will on the market in around 24 months' time.
