World ranking of first place is taken by the T282-B manufactured by Liebherr (USA). The giant T282-B was officially presented to the public during the Bauma in Munich. Some T282-B's had previously been used as prototypes for field tests. The T282-B was the highlight of the Bauma. Like the eighth wonder of the world, it was surrounded by masses of people and as a Hollywood Superstar, flashlights sizzled on the giant T282-B. Everyone wanted a photo of themselves with the dump truck and had to wait patiently.

The T282-B is powered by a DDC/MTU 20V4000 engine providing the highest output of any commercially avaliable motor vehicle engine in the world. The engine weighs 10.4t, has 20 cylinders in a V arrangement and a capacity of 90 litres. It has a maximum power output of 3650HP and maximum torque of 14457Nm. An important characteristic of the Liebherrs T282-B is its diesel electric drive. The engine powers an electric generator which powers the AC (alternating current) driving motors. The advantages are an enormous improvement in transferring power to the wheels and a substantially longer service life for the drive system compared to the mechanically propelled Kippern.

The dimensions of the T282-B are equally large. It is 14.5m long, 7.4m high and 8.7m wide. Its maximum additional load amounts to 363t or 220m³ frequently up, and its max. Its gross loaded weight is 592t. This makes it the largest fourwheel dump truck in the world. T282-B's are built at Libherr's factory in New Haven, Virginia, USA.

translated by Ross Manning from New Zealand