Underground mining trucks · Payload and box volume, fit to drift size, operating weight, engine power and emissions tier, torque, speed, fuel, weighing and automation options
An underground mining truck is a low-profile, centre-articulated diesel or battery-electric haul truck with a ROPS/FOPS cab, a heavy-duty dump body and hydraulic tipping, built to carry ore and waste rock through mine drifts and up ramps from loading points to passes, crushers or the surface. Ask three things first: what payload and box volume suit your loaders and rock density, whether the truck's width, height and turning fit your drifts, and what power, emissions and ventilation limits apply on your ramps.
Articulated underground haul trucks for hard-rock and other underground mines, diesel or battery-electric. Surface rigid and articulated dump trucks, underground loaders (LHDs), utility vehicles and truck parts sold alone are outside this page.
01
Sandvik's Toro TH545i specification lists a 45,000 kg payload capacity with box options from 18 to 32 m³, overall dimensions of 10,700 × 3,100 × 2,900 mm (length × width × height) and an operating weight of about 36,000 kg depending on options; Sandvik describes it as a 45-tonne underground dump truck designed for 4.5 × 4.5 m haulage ways. [1]
It offers an integrated weighing system that allows for temperature and truck inclination and uses red, orange and green lights to guide the loader operator to the rated capacity. [1]
Editorial calculation: in a 4.5 × 4.5 m drift a 3.1 m wide, 2.9 m high truck leaves about 0.7 m each side and 1.6 m overhead before services and roof profile; at an assumed loose rock density of 1.8 t/m³, a 45 t payload fills about 25 m³, inside the 18–32 m³ box range. Choose the box to your rock's loose density so the truck reaches rated payload without overloading. [1]
Give the supplier the rock type and loose density, target payload, loader model and bucket size, drift width and height (with services), ramp gradients and lengths, haul distances, turning radii at intersections, altitude and ventilation limits, emission standard, diesel or battery-electric preference, automation needs and fleet size.
02
The TH545i uses a Volvo TAD1641VE-B engine rated 450 kW (603 hp) at 1,800 rpm with 2,913 N·m at 1,200 rpm to EPA Tier 2, with an optional Stage V engine; its fuel tank holds 620 l and its maximum driving speed on the level when loaded is 30.7 km/h. Sandvik describes it as compatible with its AutoMine autonomous haulage system, retrofittable later in the truck's life, and fitted with an intelligent control system that monitors filters and other health parameters. [1]
Editorial calculation: 450 kW over a loaded mass of about 81 t (36 t truck plus 45 t payload) is about 5.6 kW per tonne, which, together with the transmission ratios, sets ramp speed; ask the supplier for loaded speed on your ramp gradient, not the level speed. [1]
Editorial note: diesel engines underground add to ventilation demand; state the emission standard and ventilation limit in the enquiry, and compare battery-electric options where the mine allows.
03
At the small end, Sandvik's Toro TH320 carries 20,000 kg with 11–14 m³ boxes, measures 9,100 × 2,200 × 2,400 mm, weighs 22,600 kg and is designed to fit 3 × 3 m headings; it uses a 235 kW Volvo TAD853VE Tier 3 engine with a catalytic purifier, a 340 l fuel tank and a top loaded speed of 28.4 km/h on the level. [2]
Sandvik's battery-electric TH550B carries 50,000 kg with 20–31 m³ boxes, measures 11,000 × 3,350 × 2,900 mm and weighs 50,100 kg; its LiFePO4 battery has a nominal 354 kWh and 720 kW continuous output, with no gearbox, regenerative braking downhill and a self-swapping battery system, and it lists 37.0 km/h loaded on the level and 13.5 km/h loaded on a 1:7 ramp. [3]
In US underground metal and non-metal mines, 30 CFR 57.5060 limits a miner's diesel particulate exposure to an eight-hour average of 160 micrograms of total carbon per cubic metre of air, which frames the choice between diesel engines with after-treatment and battery-electric trucks. [4]
Editorial calculation: on the TH550B, 354 kWh at the full 720 kW continuous output would last about 354 ÷ 720 ≈ 0.5 h; real haul cycles draw less on the level and regenerate downhill, so ask Sandvik for energy per cycle on your ramp profile to plan battery swaps. [3]
04
Suppliers linked to this page list underground mining trucks; each card links to the page reviewed.
Listings include central-articulated underground mine trucks, including a 45-tonne model, alongside underground loaders and drill rigs.
05
This is a functional reference built from the sources cited; it is not one maker's design.
| Part | Role | Fix in the order |
|---|---|---|
| Dump body | Carries the load. [1] | Volume to rock density. |
| Engine | Power and emissions. [1] | Power, tier, Stage V. |
| Articulated frame | Turns in drifts. [1] | Dimensions and turning. |
| Weighing system | Hits rated payload. [1] | Integrated weighing. |
| Control and monitoring | Health and automation. [1] | AutoMine or equivalent. |
| Cab | Operator protection. | ROPS/FOPS and sound. |
06
An underground mining truck quotation needs values for your mine. The table explains each field, gives published values where a reviewed source states them, and says what to obtain from the supplier.
| Field | What it means and published values | Ask the supplier for |
|---|---|---|
| Payload Capacity (tons) | 45,000 kg in one model. [1] | Rated payload. |
| Engine Power (kW) | 450 kW at 1,800 rpm. [1] | Power and standard. |
| Overall Height (meters) | 2.9 m in one model. [1] | Height loaded and empty. |
| Turning Radius (meters) | Fits intersections. | Inner and outer radius. |
| Maximum Speed (km/h) | 30.7 km/h level, loaded. [1] | Speed on your ramps. |
| Operating Temperature (°C) | Climate packages offered. [1] | Range. |
| Gradeability (%) | Ramp performance. | Speed vs gradient. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity (L) | 620 l. [1] | Capacity. |
| Tire Size (PR) | Mine tyres. | Size and rating. |
| Emission Standard | Tier 2; Stage V optional. [1] | Engine certification. |
| Braking System | Safety. | Service and emergency brakes. |
| Transmission Type | Drivetrain. | Type and gears. |
| Cabin Noise Level (dB(A)) | Operator exposure. | Measured level. |
07
Paste it into your enquiry below or into an email to a maker, then replace every bracket.
Rock: [type; loose density] Payload: [target; loader; bucket] Drifts: [width; height; intersections] Haul: [ramp gradient; length; distance] Engine: [tier; ventilation limit; battery option] Supply: [weighing; automation; fleet size]
These companies list underground mining trucks.
Lists underground mine trucks, including a central-articulated 45-tonne model, among underground mining equipment.
Product scope checked 2026-10-11
Lists underground dump, haul and articulated trucks alongside LHD loaders.
Product scope checked 2026-10-11
Lists underground mining trucks alongside underground loaders and drill rigs.
Product scope checked 2026-10-11
Explore company information and manufacturing capabilities, then discuss the scope of your project with a relevant supplier.
Sandvik designs its 45-tonne Toro TH545i for 4.5 × 4.5 m haulage ways. [1]
Sandvik lists about 36,000 kg for the TH545i, depending on options. [1]
Sandvik states the TH545i is AutoMine compatible and can be retrofitted later. [1]
Sandvik's TH550B carries 50 t on a 354 kWh LiFePO4 battery with 720 kW continuous output and self-swapping batteries. [3]
Sources checked 2026-10-12. Sandvik publishes specifications for its own truck; performance for your mine must come from the supplier's haul simulation and specification.
Ask for use case, specification boundaries, supplier type, and RFQ preparation information for this product.
Compare manufacturer profiles with relevant product and process capability.