The Payhauler was International Harvester’s range of heavy off-highway rear-dump trucks, produced from 1956 to 2003. It began with a 25-ton rear-wheel-drive truck and became known for all-wheel drive, which made the Payhauler 350 a familiar sight in quarries and mines for almost thirty years.
International Payhauler at a glance
| Maker | International Harvester, then the Payhauler Corporation, then Terex |
|---|---|
| Production | 1956–2003 |
| Type | off-highway rear-dump truck |
| First model | 25-ton (23 t) rear-wheel drive, 1956 |
| Distinctive feature | dual tyres on the front steering axle, equal weight on both axles |
| Early engine | Detroit Diesel 16V71; Cummins engines later |
| Payhauler 180 | 1964, 45 tons, first large all-wheel-drive end-dump truck |
| 1973 range | Payhauler 330 at 45 tons and Payhauler 350 at 50 tons |
| Ownership | sold to employees in 1982, acquired by Terex in 1998 |
| End | Payhauler 350 discontinued in 2003 |
Based on one source (English Wikipedia). No free photographs of the Payhauler were found, so the article has no new pictures.
History of the International Payhauler
The first Payhaulers
In 1956 International Harvester introduced the Payhauler line of heavy off-highway rear-dump trucks, starting with a 25-ton model with rear-wheel drive. It was unusual among haul trucks in having dual tyres on the front steering axle and in carrying the load with the same weight on both axles. Early trucks used a Detroit Diesel 16V71 engine, with Cummins engines fitted later.
All-wheel drive
In 1964 the Payhauler 180 entered service. The 45-ton truck was the first large all-wheel-drive end-dump truck on the market, a layout that gave it traction in mud and on steep grades where rear-drive trucks struggled. In 1973 the original rear-drive models were dropped and the all-wheel-drive trucks were renamed by capacity: the Payhauler 330 for the 45-ton truck and the Payhauler 350 for the 50-ton version.
After International Harvester
In 1982 International Harvester sold the Payhauler line to its employees, who formed the Payhauler Corporation to keep building the Payhauler 350. The company was bought by Terex in 1998. Through both changes the 350 stayed in production with little more than the paint scheme altered, until the line was discontinued in 2003.
Design and features
- All-wheel drive: the layout that made the Payhauler name, introduced on the 180 in 1964.
- Dual front tyres: an unusual feature from the first 1956 truck.
- Balanced load: the truck carried the same weight on both axles.
- Long life: the Payhauler 350 was built almost unchanged from 1973 to 2003.
International Payhauler versions
- 25-ton Payhauler (1956): the original rear-wheel-drive truck.
- Payhauler 180 (1964): 45-ton all-wheel-drive end-dump truck.
- Payhauler 330 (1973): the 45-ton all-wheel-drive model.
- Payhauler 350 (1973–2003): the 50-ton model, built by three different owners.
The Payhauler was International’s off-highway specialist; the road-going heavy trucks are in the Paystar and 9000 series. More vehicles are in the International collection.
Sources
- International Harvester Payhauler, English Wikipedia: models, capacities, ownership
