What Should You Look For in a Used Mining Truck?

Mining trucks, or big dump trucks are tough machines that work hard moving rocks and earth from place to place in quarries and mines. These long-life and much-needed machines come up on the second-hand market. If they are well maintained, they can be a wise buy over a new machine. This article explores the range of used mining trucks that are available in the online market and suggests key areas to inspect before buying.

Table of Contents
The used mining truck market
What types of used mining trucks are available?
What to look for when buying a used mining truck
Final thoughts

The used mining truck market

Projected growth of the global mining market 2023-2027

The mining market is primarily driven by the global demand for minerals, metals, stone and coal, and other needed construction materials such as sand and gravel. It is projected to experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7% from a 2023 value of $2145.1 billion to $2775.5 billion by 2027. Within that market, the global demand for mining trucks to move those materials is projecting a CAGR of around 4.8% through 2027.

The attraction of a used mining truck over a new one is, quite simply, the lower cost. Quarrying and mining operations require a lot of hardware, so cutting costs anywhere possible is desirable. Mining trucks are relatively uncomplicated machines, so if well maintained, used trucks can be a good buy.

What types of used mining trucks are available?

Large mining trucks, also known as dump trucks, tipper trucks, haul trucks, or quarry trucks, are designed for heavy-duty quarrying and construction jobs. They move vast amounts of materials to offload elsewhere, usually by raising the ‘dump box’ hydraulically to tip out the materials. A less common type is the rear-eject truck, which uses a hydraulic ram to push materials out the back. These types typically have a lower center of gravity than tipper trucks, so they are more stable on uneven ground.

Trucks can be fixed chassis or articulated, can feature multiple axles, and can have 10-12 wheels, with tire sizes up to double the height of an average-sized adult. Smaller trucks that may be able to operate on public roads can weigh from 30 to 80 tons, but the bigger mining trucks, called ultra trucks, are used off-road and can reach over 400 tons. Caterpillar recently successfully tested a battery-powered electric truck, but at present the trucks available in the used machine market use diesel engines, mainly with Euro 2, 3, or 4 certification.

The following section looks at some examples of second-hand mining trucks available in the online market, with weights ranging from 30 to 400 tons, and with fixed or articulated chassis.

30-80 ton dump trucks

Multipurpose and plentiful, trucks available in this range are used as much for construction projects as for heavy mining. As such, many are road-worthy with 2-3 axles and fixed chassis, although a few are articulated. These trucks operate hydraulic tippers.

80-100 ton dump trucks

Above 80-tons capacity, these big trucks are mostly off-road and intended for quarries and mining sites. There are not as many available second-hand options in this size category, and prices start to overlap with new models of cheaper brands. Most trucks of this size have a single axle front and rear, with four wheels on the rear axle, but with massive-sized tires front and rear.

Over 100 tons

The much bigger ‘ultra trucks’ start above 100 tons and can reach up to 400-ton capacity. These are very specialized machines used for large mining and quarrying operations and are expensive to buy new, with many selling for well over USD 1 million. They are not plentiful on the second-hand market as they are used heavily from new, then maintained and repaired for many years. However, few brands produce higher sizes, such as Caterpillar.

What to look for when buying a used mining truck

Man looking up at the front of ultra mining truck

Mining trucks are not a great deal different in structure from any other working truck, aside from the bigger scale, so the areas to inspect will be fairly familiar to most mechanics. These trucks do live a rugged life around salty and dusty work sites, and these elements can take their toll on various parts of the machine, which require some extra focus for inspection. Buying a used truck online will not tell the whole tale, so a physical inspection is essential. Here are a few important areas to inspect:

An online and physical inspection

The first impression will come from what can be seen, in photos and on-site. Does the machine look to be in good condition? Many online pictures show quite dirty machines, so look closely. Does it look like that dirt is hiding anything? Are there signs of rust or bubbled paintwork? Are there any visible cracks or dents? Check the cab, chassis, and dump box. A hardy machine can be expected to take some knocks and scrapes so these do not necessarily indicate bad condition. However, resprayed bodywork might indicate damage has been covered up. Also, signs of welding can indicate previous structural damage and weakness.

Review the maintenance history

In the dust and salt of a quarrying or mining environment, particles can get stuck into all parts of machinery and can easily cause wear and breakdown. Air filters in particular get blocked frequently. Maintenance records will show how frequently the truck was serviced, what issues were fixed, and how frequently oils and filters were changed. If there are any records of major parts replacements, check if quality parts were used and if there was any recurrence.

Check the engine

Start the engine and drive the truck forward and backward. Check for signs of leaks, knocking, or juddering from the engine, and look for signs of smoke from the exhaust. Most older mining truck engines are either Euro 2 or Euro 3 certified, although a few are Euro 4, especially Caterpillar models. Test the engine emissions to check that the exhaust is still within range. If buying for the US or European market, ensure that the emissions quality meets local requirements.

Inspect the driver’s cab

A mining truck does not have many functions other than driving, except to raise and lower the dump box. Check the cab, the seats, and the doors and windows. More importantly, check whether the steering wheel has no excessive play, the pedals are smooth and not overly worn, and all instruments and gauges work.

Inspect the dump box hydraulics

Check that the dump controls work properly, raise and lower the dump box, and check for smooth operation of the hydraulics. Check the hydraulic cylinders and rods for damage and scarring that can indicate particles stuck in the movement. Check that hoses have a tight seal and no leaks.

Inspect the tires and chassis

Check tire condition for tread wear or cracks. Any signs of uneven wear would indicate an alignment problem. Also, check that wheel rims and axles are in good condition. Next, check the main chassis and the truck frame rails.

Any downward bending or sagging could indicate overloading. An upward bending or bowing could indicate that the truck was driven with a raised but loaded dump box. If the truck has an articulated chassis, check that the articulated steering moves correctly, and check joints, bushings, and pins are well lubricated.

Final thoughts

Whatever the requirements, buying second-hand trucks online will still need a physical inspection before confirming the purchase. Firstly and still online, the buyer should ask for as many photos as possible and all maintenance records. Then, they should conduct a thorough physical inspection in person. Look for a supplier who can offer an extended warranty, return, or replacement. For more details on the range of used mining trucks available, check out the Alibaba.com showroom.