Unit Rig Mark 36 Haul Truck Installation

Mining giants. That’s what comes to mind at the Unit Rig Mark 36 Haul Truck Installation. Here in Johannesburg, this massive yellow truck isn’t just a roadside attraction. It’s a testament to the city’s rich mining heritage. The Unit Rig Mark 36 Haul Truck, a retired giant from the Sishen iron ore mine, stands proudly at the intersection of Hall, Usher, and Ntemi Piliso streets. Donated by Kumba Iron Ore in 2012, it’s now a centerpiece of the Mining Street Museum. This impressive machine, a 170-tonne payload haul truck, toiled for over 20 years at Sishen. It was state-of-the-art in 1989, one of 32 such trucks. Weighing 125 tonnes, it was the biggest of its kind at Sishen. The truck guzzled 85 litres of fuel per hour. Its estimated lifespan was a mere 10 years. Yet, this robust workhorse doubled that, thanks to a rebuild. A unique feature of the Unit Rig Mark 36 was its dual power system. It used diesel for normal operation but switched to electric power for uphill climbs when fully loaded. This reduced fuel consumption and boosted its speed from 10 km/hr to 18 km/hr on steep inclines. Bringing this behemoth to Johannesburg was a feat. Dismantled into two parts, it travelled on flatbed trucks, a journey taking six days. Cranes then reassembled it here in the city center. The Unit Rig Mark 36 Haul Truck’s retirement made way for even larger 350-tonne models. It now serves as a powerful reminder of Johannesburg’s mining past. It stands tall against the backdrop of the city, a symbol of hard work and innovation. It’s a must-see for anyone interested in the history of mining in South Africa.