Jolly Green Giant at rest

by Nick Drew | Fri 07 Aug 2015

Jolly Green Giant at rest

A nice trio of photos have landed in the Digger Man Blog inbox from a regular reader down under. The shots feature another relic from the countries iron ore mining history which has been preserved for future generations to see.

The machine in question is a diesel electric Terex 33-15B haul truck which was powered by a Detroit Diesel 16V149TI 2 cycle engine which had a power output rating of 1600hp and a rated load capacity of 154 tonnes, which it could propel along at a maximum top speed of 40kph.

Back in the mid 1970’s this machine was one of 17 units which were put into service at the Paraburdoo Mine operation in Pilbara, Western Australia. Rio Tinto's iron ore operations in the Pilbara began in 1966, but Paraburdoo mine itself began operations in 1972. These large trucks officially went into service in 1976 and were in service until 1987.

The fleet of 17 trucks were affectionately known as the “Jolly Green Giants” thanks to the once famous Terex green livery that they were adorned with. Each unit cost around $675,000 (around £319.000 GBP) when purchased in 1976.

It is believed that during the period they were in service the fleet of trucks shifted in excess of 285 million tonnes of material.

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