How to Ship a Mining Haul Truck: Dimensions, Disassembly & Superload Permits
Mining haul trucks — including the Caterpillar 777, 785, and 793 series and the Komatsu HD785 and HD1500 — are among the largest pieces of equipment moved on public roads. Their extreme width, height, and weight place them firmly in superload territory, requiring disassembly, multi-axle transport configurations, engineering reviews, and police escorts in many jurisdictions. Shipping a mining haul truck is a complex logistics project that demands specialized carriers and meticulous planning.
Mining Haul Truck Specifications
Mining haul trucks are purpose-built for off-highway use and far exceed standard road dimensions in their operating configuration. Key specs for common models:
| Model | Empty Weight | Width | Height | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat 777G | ~124,400 lbs | ~11.5 ft | ~16.1 ft | ~32.2 ft |
| Cat 785D | ~175,000 lbs | ~14.5 ft | ~18.5 ft | ~36.5 ft |
| Komatsu HD785-7 | ~130,000 lbs | ~11.8 ft | ~16.4 ft | ~33.5 ft |
These dimensions are for the complete machine. Transport dimensions after disassembly vary significantly depending on which components are removed.
Disassembly Requirements
Mining haul trucks almost always require partial disassembly before road transport. Common disassembly steps include:
- Dump body removal: The dump body is typically removed and transported separately on a flatbed or step-deck trailer. This reduces the machine's height by 4 to 8 feet.
- Tire removal: The massive tires (often 10–13 ft in diameter) are removed and transported separately. Each tire can weigh 5,000–12,000 lbs.
- Fender and mirror removal: Outer fenders and mirrors are removed to reduce overall width.
- Fuel and fluid draining: Fuel tanks, hydraulic reservoirs, and coolant systems are drained to reduce weight and meet hazmat transport requirements.
After disassembly, the truck frame and powertrain are loaded onto a multi-axle lowboy or RGN trailer. The dump body, tires, and removed components travel on separate trailers — a typical mining haul truck move involves 3 to 5 separate loads.
Superload Permit Requirements
Even after disassembly, mining haul truck components typically qualify as superloads — loads exceeding 120,000 lbs GVW, 14 ft in width, or 15 ft in height. Superload permits require:
- Engineering review of the transport configuration and axle loading
- Bridge analysis for all bridges along the planned route
- State DOT approval in each state along the route
- Police escort in many states (in addition to pilot cars)
- Travel time restrictions (often daylight only, no weekends or holidays)
Superload permit processing typically takes 2 to 4 weeks. Plan your move well in advance of any project deadline.
Multi-Axle Transport Configurations
The truck frame and powertrain require a multi-axle lowboy or Schnabel car configuration to distribute the extreme weight across enough axles to meet bridge law requirements. Common configurations include:
- 20-axle lowboy: For truck frames in the 150,000–250,000 lb range
- 24-axle or 36-axle configurations: For the heaviest components exceeding 250,000 lbs
- Modular hydraulic trailers (SPMT): For the largest mining trucks where conventional trailers cannot accommodate the load
Cost Factors for Mining Haul Truck Transport
| Factor | Typical Impact |
|---|---|
| Disassembly labor | $5,000–$25,000 depending on machine size |
| Multiple trailer loads (3–5 loads) | Multiplies base transport cost |
| Superload permits | $2,000–$15,000 per state |
| Police escort | $500–$2,000/day per officer |
| Engineering review | $3,000–$10,000 |
| Reassembly at destination | $5,000–$25,000 |
IronHaul Logistics has experience coordinating mining haul truck moves, including multi-load disassembly projects and superload permit coordination. Call (208) 495-2260, email [email protected], or submit your project details through our online quote form to discuss your specific move.
Common questions
Does a mining haul truck need to be disassembled for road transport?
Yes. Mining haul trucks like the Cat 777 and Komatsu HD785 far exceed road width and height limits in their operating configuration. The dump body, tires, and fenders are typically removed and transported separately, resulting in 3 to 5 separate trailer loads.
What is a superload permit and does my mining truck need one?
A superload permit is required for loads exceeding 120,000 lbs GVW, 14 ft in width, or 15 ft in height. Even after disassembly, most mining haul truck components qualify as superloads. Superload permits require engineering review, bridge analysis, and state DOT approval — plan for 2 to 4 weeks of processing time.
How many trailers does it take to move a mining haul truck?
A typical mining haul truck move involves 3 to 5 separate trailer loads: the truck frame/powertrain on a multi-axle lowboy, the dump body on a flatbed or step-deck, and the tires and removed components on additional trailers.
How long does it take to arrange a mining haul truck move?
Due to superload permit processing (2 to 4 weeks), disassembly scheduling, and multi-trailer coordination, plan for 4 to 8 weeks of lead time for a mining haul truck move. Contact IronHaul as early as possible to avoid project delays.
Can IronHaul coordinate the disassembly and reassembly?
IronHaul Logistics can coordinate with qualified heavy equipment technicians for disassembly at the origin and reassembly at the destination. Contact us at (208) 495-2260 to discuss your specific project requirements.
Ready to move a machine?
Tell us what you're shipping and where. We quote direct — no bidding wars, no load-board runaround.