8 Biggest Bulldozers in the World Today: Power Unleashed
Bulldozers are pivotal to the world as we know it. Commonly used in construction and mining, the world as we know it has relied on bulldozers for every large-scale project.
Five major bulldozer manufacturers currently manufacture in North America including Caterpillar, John Deere, CASE, Komatsu, and Liebherr. With their impact on construction, mining, and quarrying, there are some particularly large bulldozers. In fact, these five brands make dozers ranging in size from 18,000 lbs to 254,000 lbs.
Big bulldozers are commonly used for various tasks. These tasks include preparing sites for factories, clearing land, demolishing structures, and extracting minerals. But while size is not the only factor that matters, it plays a significant role. Here is a list of the eight largest bulldozers currently in production, along with their specifications.
The Record Holders: World's Largest Bulldozers
1. Komatsu D475A
Komatsu, a juggernaut in the industry, doesn't just manufacture bulldozers; they create perfection. Komatsu bulldozers are excellent machines and the Komatsu D475 is the largest dozer available now. The Komatsu D475 is a powerful machine with 890 horsepower that can handle tough terrains in the mining industry.
| Komatsu D475A Specs | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Operating Weight (lbs) | Max Length | Max Width | Height | Horsepower | Blade Width | Blade Capacity (cubic yds) |
| 254,195 | 38' 9" | 20' 4" | 15' 9" | 890 | 207" - 255" | 35.6 - 58.9 |
2. CAT D11
Caterpillar's D11 dozer is well-known in the construction industry and is famous worldwide for its equipment. Virtually every equipment operator would love to get behind the wheel of one of these powerful machines due to their sheer size and strength.
Weighing more than 110 tons, the CAT D11 is their bulldozer and is primarily used in quarrying and mining. With a powerful torque system and power, the D11 is more environmentally friendly and productive than their past models.
| CAT D11 Specs | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Operating Weight (lbs) | Max Length | Max Width | Height | Horsepower | Blade Width | Blade Capacity (cubic yds) |
| 229,800 | 35' 9" | 22' 0" | 15' 6" | 850 | 220" - 264" | 35.6 - 57.0 |
3. Komatsu D375A
While not the biggest Komatsu bulldozer, the D375 should not be overlooked. Similar to the D475, this smaller model is engineered to be used on large-scale surface mining and quarry projects. Compared to previous versions, the Komatsu D375 dozer has more efficiency, power, and sustainability.
| Komatsu D375A Specs | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Operating Weight (lbs) | Max Length | Max Width | Height | Horsepower | Blade Width | Blade Capacity (cubic yds) |
| 163,340 | 34' 8" | 15' 8" | 14' 0" | 609 | 188" - 205" | 24.2 - 28.8 |
4. Liebherr 776
The Liebherr 776 dozer, weighing more than 80 tons, is built for those heavy-duty quarrying and mining jobs. You can use them for other tasks and projects as they are available with a variety of blades and attachments.
Liebherr's bulldozers in North America may not be as well-known as Caterpillar and Komatsu, however, they are still powerful and capable of completing tasks.
| Liebherr 776 Specs | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Operating Weight (lbs) | Max Length | Max Width | Height | Horsepower | Blade Width | Blade Capacity (cubic yds) |
| 161,354 | 33' 1" | 15' 10" | 14' 3" | 768 | 180" - 217" | 24.2 - 28.8 |
5. CAT D10
While only one model smaller than the D11, the CAT D10 weighs 35 tons less than its older sibling. Despite this weight difference, the D10 is still a great machine for quarries and mines. Compatible with a variety of blades, this CAT bulldozer can be matched with the most suitable blade for your needs.
| CAT D10 Specs | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Operating Weight (lbs) | Max Length | Max Width | Height | Horsepower | Blade Width | Blade Capacity (cubic yds) |
| 154,700 | 30' 1" | 12' 4" | 14' 6" | 600 | 194" - 207" | 24.2 - 28.7 |
6. Liebherr 766
Slightly smaller than the Liebherr 776, the Liebherr 766 is a 60-ton bulldozer designed and engineered for the mining industry. This model comes with a diesel-powered hydraulic drive and cab that offers operators great comfort and efficiency.
| Liebherr 766 Specs | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Operating Weight (lbs) | Max Length | Max Width | Height | Horsepower | Blade Width | Blade Capacity (cubic yds) |
| 119,784 | 28' 7" | 14' 2" | 13' 1" | 422 | 170" - 181" | 17.8 - 22.2 |
7. CAT D9
The smallest of the CAT dozers on this list, the D9 should not be overlooked. While it's "only" 55 tons, this bulldozer still has 452 horsepower and can get the job done whether it's large-scale mining or land clearing.
| CAT D9 Specs | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Operating Weight (lbs) | Max Length | Max Width | Height | Horsepower | Blade Width | Blade Capacity (cubic yds) |
| 110,225 | 27' | 15' 4" | 13' 1" | 452 | 171" - 184" | 17.8 - 21.7 |
8. John Deere 1050K
The largest John Deere bulldozer is the 1050K, weighing just under 100,000 lbs. Despite not being as big and powerful as the other dozers on the list, the 1050K is used across the mining industry, as well as road building, land clearing, and site development projects.
| John Deere 1050K Specs | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Operating Weight (lbs) | Max Length | Max Width | Height | Horsepower | Blade Width | Blade Capacity (cubic yds) |
| 96,100 | 29' 10" | 13' 7" | 11' 5" | 350 | 157" - 202" | 9.0 - 14.0 |
Bonus: ACCO Super Bulldozer
While the ACCO Super Bulldozer is technically the largest dozer ever manufactured, it has never been used, so we felt it disingenuous to add to the list above. However, it still stands as a testament to the ingenuity and creation of what is possible in the bulldozing world.
| Komatsu D475A Specs | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Operating Weight (lbs) | Max Length | Max Width | Height | Horsepower | Blade Width | Blade Capacity (cubic yds) |
| 366,000 | 40' | 23' 0" | NA | 1,350 | 276" | NA |
The Role of Giant Bulldozers in Major Construction and Mining Projects
While size isn't always everything, in the heavy-duty mining and quarrying industries, it most often means the bigger the better. From clearing vast areas of land for infrastructure to shaping mines, these bulldozers are a workhorse of monumental projects.
Comparing the Giants: What is the Best Large Bulldozer?
The best bulldozer will be determined by what you need the machine to do and the size of the land you're working on. The largest bulldozer is typically the most effective.
However, there are other factors to consider. These include the ease of repair, availability of parts, size of the blade, and the operator's proficiency. Read more about the different dozer brands and how they compare.
Challenges and Considerations in Operating Massive Bulldozers
Operating these mammoth machines isn't just about raw power; it's a delicate balance of precision and safety. Addressing the challenges faced in maneuvering these machines, especially in environments and conditions like those of mines and quarries is not easy.
There are many safety protocols to be aware of when operating machines of this size. From maintenance to operational considerations, handling these heavy-duty bulldozers demands expertise and caution.
Conclusion: Where Power and Innovation Meet
The largest construction machines are the most fun to be around but operating them requires a lot of responsibility. These bulldozers represent the strength, design, and creativity of the construction field. We should praise them for their ability to transform landscapes and bring ambitious ideas to life.
To explore the myriad of bulldozer options in the industry, check out the DOZR Marketplace. Whether you're looking to rent a small dozer for a simple road-building project or a large bulldozer for a land-clearing project, DOZR has what you need.
Make sure to check out our other bulldozer-related blogs to learn more about the different sizes and specs of each brand, blades and attachments, and more.
