Why the Sinotruk Howo 371hp Dump Truck Dominates the African Market
Why the Sinotruk Howo 371hp Dump Truck Dominates the African Market
When it comes to heavy-duty equipment, every single piece of steel and every weld seam reflects sound engineering sense. The Howo 371hp dump truck has become a standard model across Africa—not by accident, but because improved materials and design principles go into creating it. Let us walk through why it dominates.
1. Frame Structure – The "Backbone" of Strength
The truck's body uses QSTE700TM ultra-high-strength alloy steel with over 700MPa yield strength—i.e., over 7 tons can be sustained per square centimeter of pressure. It has been designed using a variable cross-section beam, where heavier carrying portions are made heavier and the lighter sections are made lighter, for optimal safety at no additional weight. This achieves optimal durability versus efficiency, yielding a strong yet lightweight frame.
2. Cargo Box – Triple-Layer Protection for Ultimate Protection
The cargo box is the mule of the truck, so it is meticulously strengthened with a three-layer system:
Base Support: 6mm-thick Q550 high-strength steel forms the base.
Wear Layer: Hardox450 steel, hardened to a maximum of HB450, is employed in contact areas to line them.
Protective Coating: An inner surface is covered with ceramic anti-wear coating to safeguard from abrasion.
This special mix allows the Howo's cargo bed to last over three times longer than standard boxes when carrying abrasive goods like sand and stone.
3. Cab Design – Secure, Durable, and Comfortable
The driver's cab is built with Baowu Steel Group's galvanized steel and reinforced by a cage-type safety structure. The front wall is 1.5mm steel, and the roof is 1.2mm ribs-strengthened panels. Boron steel hot-forming is used in the A-pillars, with the maximum 1,500MPa compressive strength, to form a protective steel capsule for the shielding of drivers while not taking away from comfort.
4. Details that Define Durability
Suspension: Made of 42CrMo alloy steel, heat-treated to achieve higher toughness.
Hydraulic Cylinder: Equipped with 27SiMn seamless steel tubes, internally precision-honed for maximum smoothness.
Sealing System: Equipped with fluororubber seals that are resistant to heat, oil, and corrosion.
Stringent careful material selection in such small but critical components delivers long-term reliability even in heavy workloads.
5. Advanced Surface Coating – Beauty Meets Endurance
Every Howo 371 undergoes a four-stage anti-corrosion coating: pre-treatment, electrophoretic paint, primer, and hard topcoat. The multi-layer coating ensures long-lasting paint quality and superior rust resistance—even in coastal or humid climates common to Africa.
Final Thoughts
From the molecular-level coating process to the precision-forged steel chassis, every aspect of the Sinotruk Howo 371hp dump truck reflects the essence of Chinese heavy industry. Its thoughtful engineering and tough material are the reasons why it has won over African construction and transportation companies. The result is not just a truck—but a symbol of dependable power built to conquer any landscape.
