Which truck is recognized as the largest on the planet?

The title of the world's largest truck doesn't belong to a Ford F-450 Crew Cab pickup truck or a Mack truck with a double trailer. Instead, the largest trucks are found in the mining industry, and describing them as big might be an understatement—these vehicles are truly colossal.

These massive dump trucks, designed to transport heavy metal ores from mining sites, weigh approximately one million pounds (453,592 kilograms) and can haul and unload over 300 tons (300,000 kilograms) of material. While a Honda Fit boasts 117 horsepower and a Jaguar XF offers 300 horsepower, these mining trucks are equipped with around 3,000 horsepower to manage their immense loads.

Standing over 20 feet (6.1 meters) tall, mining trucks allow drivers to climb from their cabs into the second floor of an average building. Additionally, their length of nearly fifty feet is comparable to that of an adult humpback whale.

Multiple manufacturers produce these colossal machines, and since their sizes are quite similar, determining the largest one comes down to comparing specific metrics. Here are the criteria used to evaluate five contenders and crown the biggest truck in the world:

Height: The measurement from the ground to the highest point of the truck when the bed is in a level position.

Length: The measurement from the frontmost point to the rearmost point of the truck when the bed is level.

Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW): The combined weight of the vehicle itself and its maximum allowable load.

Payload: The highest weight capacity the truck can transport in its bed.

Engine: The measurement is based on the highest horsepower the engine can produce.

With these five criteria in mind, take a look at the statistics on the next page for the top five competitors—all vying for the title of the world's largest truck.

Big Trucks by the Numbers

Only a handful of companies manufacture the massive trucks used in mining operations. Below are the contenders, along with their dimensions, horsepower, and payload, listed alphabetically by manufacturer:

Caterpillar 797B

Hitachi EH5000

Komatsu 930E-4

Liebherr T 282 B

Terex MT 6300AC

And the winner is clear! The Terex MT 6300AC claims the title of the world's largest truck. It stands as the tallest, heaviest, and most powerful, with the highest payload capacity. Its only slight drawback is its length, being just one inch (2.54 centimeters) shorter than the Komatsu 930E-4. Stay tuned for an exclusive interview with the champion of the truck world.

The World's Largest Truck: Terex MT 6300AC

Mike Bazinet, Global Communications Director at Terex Corporation, was well aware that his company produced the world's largest truck. However, he was taken aback to discover that their truck is an inch shorter than its closest competitor. Despite this, he handled the news with ease.

The MT 6300AC made its debut at the 2008 MinEXPO, a key annual event for the mining sector. After being tested in Canada's tar sands, a few units are now operational in Australian mines. This truck is uniquely designed to transport 400 tons (400,000 kilograms), unlike others which are modified versions of trucks originally built for 200 to 300 tons (200,000 to 300,000 kilograms), as Bazinet explained.

Unsurprisingly, Terex also manufactures the largest excavator, specifically designed for mining. "It can lift 100 tons (100,000 kilograms) in a single scoop," Bazinet noted. "It can load the MT 6300AC in just four cycles." Both machines are utilized in Canada's tar sands, and the MT 6300AC features a heated bed to prevent the material from solidifying in the cold climate.

Interested in owning one of the world's largest trucks? Start saving now, as these machines come with a price tag in the millions. According to Bazinet, the MT 6300AC costs "$4 to $5 million per unit," though discounts may be available for bulk purchases.