Belaz 75710 vs CAT 797: Comparing two Monsters

In mining, you need the best-performing machinery to allow you to get value for money. You should have an effective excavator, loader, and dump truck that won't be breaking down every other day. But reliability is one of many critical factors for a miner to consider. Size is a crucial consideration, especially where the mining field is expansive.

This article compares two of the largest dump trucks in the mining industry. Of course, we have all seen the ordinary road dump trucks used in road construction. While these are impressive in their torque and power, the Belaz 75710 and CAT 797 are in a class of their own. We will compare every possible aspect of these monsters and help you know the difference and the mightiest.

Belaz 75710

The Belaz 75710 is a stupendously big machine christened 'the 450' because of its carrying capacity of 450 metric tons. This dump truck is considered the largest dump truck in the world because of its dimensions and capabilities.

The Belaz 75710 is manufactured in Zhodzina, Belarus. It was launched in 2013 and is made by Solgorsk, a subsidiary of the state-owned Belaz. It is a pretty popular mining truck in Russian mines and other mines in Eastern Europe. The price tag of this monster is a whopping $6 million, and it can go up depending on the extra special features the owner may opt for.

To put the size and magnitude of the Belaz 75710 into perspective, it boasts a towering height of more than 8 meters and a length of 20.6 meters. It is only 13 cm short of 10 meters in width. Indeed, it looks like a moving house on a mining site. It can literally run over a sedan, and the driver won't notice much. With a weight of 360 metric tons and a load capacity of 450 tons, it then means it weighs more than 800 tons when it's loaded.

The Belaz 75710 features

• This beast adorns two massive V16 engines, each with 2,300 horsepower or 1700 kW. The MTU Detroit Diesel 65-litre engine gulps 21 liters for every kilometer it moves.
• The supersize engines of the dump truck work together to propel it. It will easily compete with smaller dump trucks because it reaches 64 km. If one of the engines malfunctions, the other will drag the truck to the garage for repair. It will also run on one engine if carrying less than the capacity load.
• The Belaz 75710 runs on 8 Michelin tires measuring 4 meters in height (59/80R63). The four-wheel hydraulic steering makes the wheels steer in an unusual manner.
• To ensure the truck performs its tasks uninterrupted, the manufacturer has equipped it with two fuel tanks, each with a 2,800-liter capacity.

CAT 797

CAT 797 mining truck is as huge as they come. At its launch, it took its rightful place as the largest dump truck alongside Liebherr T 282B and the Bucyrus MT6300AC. The CAT 797 entered the market in 1998 as a simple CAT 797. Over the years, it has transitioned into CAT 797F, having evolved from 797B. The 797F entered the market in 2009.

CAT 797 is an American dump truck, and its credibility and reliability have been proven over the decades and worldwide. On introducing the CAT 797F, it joined Liebherr and Bucyrus as the only three dump trucks with a load capacity of 400 short tons. After receiving the engine and axle assemblies from Lafayette and North Carolina, the off-highway, ultra-class dump truck is assembled in Illinois.

This two-axle mega dump truck will cost you at least $5 million, and the exact price tag will vary depending on individual specs preference. It moves on six jumbo Michelin tires measuring 59/80R63 XDR, each going for over $42,500. The CAT 797 is so big that it cannot be driven on public roads because of its weight and size. It will need to be disassembled and moved using semi-trailers to the new location it is needed.

The CAT 797 features

• A single 20-cylinder C175-20 ACERT engine with a 4,000 hp (2,647 kW) output powers this monster. This is 450 hp more than the predecessor, 797B. Though a single engine, the quad turbochargers provide enough power to move more than 650 metric tons of gross vehicle weight. These features make the CAT 797F the second-biggest dump truck in the world.
• The maximum speed the CAT 797F can reach is 68 kmh. It is equipped with superior braking, which enhances productive operators. Moreover, its long life and effectiveness at fuel efficiency and payload saving cycle efficiency of 3.5% make it a leader in its class.
• The total height of this dump truck is 7.7 meters, and a width of 9.75 meters. The overall length is 15 meters.
• The 4,500-liter fuel tank guarantees the operator handles a day's work without refueling.

Belaz 75710 vs CAT 797

The comparison of these two monster vehicles will help us know which is the overall winner. However, every miner has specific needs that vary from those of another. Some mining companies will consider parts availability and support availability more than the payload a dump truck prides itself on carrying. Here are the common factors to consider;

Payload

The Belaz 75710 has an official payload capacity of 450 metric tons, while the CAT 797F has a nominal rated payload of 400 short tons or 362 metric tons. According to official figures, this dump truck boasts an operational weight of 390.5 tons, meaning the total GVWR is 840 metric tons. On the other hand, the 797F the gross machine weight of the 797F is 623.6 metric tons. The Belaz 75710 is the winner when it comes to payload capacity, with an ability to carry 87 more tons than the CAT 797F.

Engine power

The overall gross power of the CAT 797F engine, which is current in the 797 series, is 4,000 HP with a top-rated speed of 1750 RPM. The net power of the engine (SAE J1349) is 3795 HP, while its displacement is 6,469 In3. The four turbochargers ensure the 797 always delivers while ensuring the USA EPA emission regulations are observed.

On the other hand, the Belaz 75710 has two powerful engines with a combined 4,600 horsepower capacity. The top-rated speed of 1,500 RPM. Though the fuel consumption is 1,300 liters for every 100 kilometers, the operator can switch off one engine when the truck is carrying less than the capacity load, saving fuel. In this area, the CAT engine is quite big and more efficient than the 75710 one; however, as far as final horsepower goes and capability, the twin-engine truck takes the day.

Drivability

The turning radius of the Belaz 75710 is 39.6 meters, while that of 797F is 37.4 meters. CAT employs four-corner oil-cooled brakes and automatic retarding control technology. This improves the ability of the operator to control the truck with confidence and ease. 797F also boasts superior load handling capacity in high altitudes, and with its seven-gear planetary power shift tranny, it is indeed more than capable of handling any load.

The Belaz 75710, on the other hand, offers a uniform distribution of torque and load on all eight different wheels allowing uniform wear and tear of components. The overall weight distribution on the Belaz makes it not overly demanding on the engines, which gives the truck a higher speed potential and hill climbing capability on continuous slopes of up to 20%.

Technology employed

The suspension system employed by CAT means the self-contained nitrogen/oil cylinders plus the rear strut pin-to-pin mounting allow for superior suspension without compromising on the operability of the truck. CAT has a long history of employing the most advanced technological features in its dump trucks, making it a best seller in mines worldwide.

The Belaz 75710 employs a unique hydrostatic drive, which removes mechanical hindrances, ensuring the rational replacement of hydraulic devices. Belaz giant boasts a 'smart' steering system with two rotary axles that ensure better maneuverability and reduced turning radius for such a big machine. This feature makes the Belaz 75710 score a matching point to the 797F, as the mining company doesn't need to change the mining layout when they invest in a new Belaz.

Price

Price is the one factor that determines whether a company or individual will invest in a dump truck or not. The price tag on the Belaz 75710 is $6 million, while on the CAT 797F, it's $5 million. Of course, these two are not the same but for a mining firm looking to move substantially more load at a go; the Belaz should be the answer.

Verdict

The CAT 797F has a strong renowned badge stamped on it, while Belaz 75710 has an incredible payload capacity to offer the user. Whether one decides to go for the CAT or Belaz depends mainly on individual needs and circumstances. While the 797F wins in efficiency and reliability, the Belaz 75710 is a clear winner in maneuverability and payload capacity.