Trucks play a vital role in modern transportation and logistics. From small trucks weaving through city streets to “giants” transporting goods on highways, the diversity of trucks is immense. But the question is, in this vast world of trucks, what is the heaviest truck by tonnage? This article from Xe Tải Mỹ Đình will take you on a journey to explore the world of trucks, from basic cấu tạo (structure), classifications, to payload records, and especially unveil the mystery of the heaviest truck on the planet.
What is a Truck? Factors Affecting Payload
A truck, also known as a lorry or haul truck, is a specialized road vehicle designed for carrying goods. The general structure of a truck consists of two main parts: the cabin and the chassis. The cabin is the workspace for the driver and co-driver, while the chassis is the load-bearing frame where the engine, transmission system, and cargo box are installed.
However, when we ask “what is the heaviest truck by tonnage?”, we are referring to the payload of the truck, which is the maximum weight of cargo that the truck can carry safely and efficiently. Truck payload is not a fixed number but is influenced by several important factors:
- Engine Power: A more powerful engine provides greater pulling force, allowing the truck to carry heavier loads.
- Chassis: The chassis must be strong enough to withstand the weight of the truck itself and the cargo. The material and design of the chassis determine its load-bearing capacity.
- Suspension System: A quality suspension system helps distribute the load evenly across the axles, ensuring stability and safety when carrying heavy loads.
- Axles and Drivetrain: The number of axles and the appropriate drivetrain system determine the load-bearing capacity and traction distribution.
- Tires: Tires must have a load capacity corresponding to the truck’s designed payload.
- Legal Regulations: Each country has its own regulations regarding the maximum permissible payload for different types of trucks to ensure traffic safety and protect road infrastructure.
Modern truck cabin with aerodynamic design
Truck Classification by Payload: From Light to Heavy-Duty and Super Heavy-Duty
For ease of management and use, trucks are often classified based on their payload. This classification helps users choose the right truck for their transportation needs and comply with traffic regulations.
Light Trucks
Light trucks typically have a payload from under 1 ton to about 5 tons. These trucks are common in urban areas and short routes, serving the need to transport consumer goods, light construction materials, or last-mile delivery services. The advantages of light trucks are their compact size, maneuverability in urban traffic, and fuel efficiency.
Heavy Trucks
Heavy trucks have a payload from 6 tons upwards, even up to tens of tons. They are designed to transport large volumes of goods on long-distance, inter-provincial routes, or serve industries, construction, and agriculture. Heavy trucks often have powerful engines, sturdy chassis, and robust drivetrain systems to meet demanding transportation requirements.
Heavy truck transporting goods on a highway
Super Heavy-Duty Trucks
Going beyond the concept of regular heavy trucks, super heavy-duty trucks are true “monsters” of the transportation industry. They are capable of carrying enormous cargo, exceeding standard dimensions and weights. The payload of super heavy-duty trucks can reach hundreds of tons, even thousands of tons. This type of truck is typically used in special projects such as transporting oversized equipment for power plants, hydroelectric projects, or massive bridge and road components.
The World’s Largest Truck: BelAZ 75710 – The 450-Ton Payload “King”
So, what is the heaviest truck by tonnage? The answer is BelAZ 75710, a giant dump truck from Belarus, manufactured by BelAZ. It is not only the largest truck in the world but also the largest earthmoving machine ever built.
BelAZ 75710 boasts technical specifications that amaze anyone:
- Maximum Payload: 450 tons (almost equal to the weight of 300 cars)
- Curb Weight: 360 tons
- Gross Weight: 810 tons
- Dimensions: Length 20.6m, Width 9.87m, Height 8.17m
- Engine: Two 16-cylinder diesel engines, total power 4600 horsepower
- Tires: 8 extra-large Michelin tires size 59/80R63
BelAZ 75710 is specifically designed to work in open-pit mines, where it transports hundreds of tons of ore or rock per trip. With its massive size and extraordinary power, BelAZ 75710 deserves the title of “king” of trucks in terms of payload.
BelAZ 75710 truck – 450-ton transport monster (Image source: BelAZ)
Popular Trucks in Vietnam and Typical Payload Capacities
In Vietnam, popular truck types have diverse payloads, suitable for various transportation needs. Below is a classification of trucks by type and typical payload:
Dump Trucks
Dump trucks are specialized vehicles for carrying construction materials such as soil, rock, sand, and gravel. Dump truck payloads in Vietnam commonly range from a few tons to about 20 tons, depending on the size and configuration of the truck.
Dump truck carrying construction materials
Box Trucks
Box trucks have many variations such as closed boxes, tarpaulin-covered boxes, flatbeds, and refrigerated boxes, serving the transportation of diverse goods. The payload of box trucks is very diverse, from small box trucks under 1 ton to heavy-duty box trucks over 20 tons.
- Closed box, container box: Transporting dry goods, electronics, high-value goods, moving houses, and offices.
- Tarpaulin-covered box (frame cover): Transporting agricultural products, construction materials, bulky goods that need rain and sun protection.
- Flatbed: Transporting construction materials, tubular goods, steel, and wood.
- Refrigerated box: Transporting fresh food, frozen goods, and pharmaceuticals.
Tractor Trucks
Tractor trucks or container trucks, semi-trailer trucks, are used to transport long-distance goods, especially containerized goods. The payload of tractor trucks depends on the number of axles and towing configuration, and can reach from 15 tons to over 40 tons when combined with trailers or semi-trailers.
Container tractor truck transporting international goods
Special Purpose Trucks
Special purpose trucks include many specialized types such as concrete mixer trucks, tanker trucks for gasoline and oil, water trucks, traffic rescue vehicles, garbage trucks, etc. The payload of special purpose trucks varies greatly depending on their specific purpose and design.
Reference Table of Payload Capacities for Some Popular Truck Types in Vietnam:
Conclusion
Through this article, Xe Tải Mỹ Đình hopes you have found the answer to the question “what is the heaviest truck by tonnage?”. BelAZ 75710, with a payload of 450 tons, holds the world record, but the world of trucks is incredibly vast and diverse. From nimble light trucks to powerful heavy trucks, each type of truck contributes to the development of economy and society. Choosing the right truck for transportation needs and complying with payload regulations are key factors to ensure efficiency and safety in operation.
