Used 6x4 Tipper Trucks for Sale — HOWO, HOHAN & SHACMAN

What Is a 6x4 Dump Truck?

The designation 6x4 describes the wheel formula: six wheels total, four of them powered. In practice that means a front steer axle plus two rear drive axles — a tandem bogie — giving the truck strong traction on loose ground, gravel, and unpaved haul roads. You will also hear it called a 10-wheeler dump truck (counting individual tyres on the twin-rear hubs), a 6x4 tipper, or a tri-axle tipper in some markets.

Standard payload for a Chinese heavy 6x4 tipper runs 20–25 tonnes, with a dump body volume of roughly 16–20 m³ depending on body style (U-shaped, flat-floor, or side-wall). Overall vehicle length sits around 8.5 m, making it manoeuvrable where a longer 8x4 would struggle.

Most of the units we export carry 12R22.5 tyres on all positions — a size that is widely available from Johannesburg to Lagos to Kampala, which matters when a tyre blows 300 km from the nearest city.

Which Models Do We Stock in 6x4?

Our 6x4 dump truck inventory covers three brands, each with its own engine family and parts network across Africa.

• HOWO-7 371HP — the most widely sold Chinese tipper on the continent. WD615.47 engine, HW19710 10-speed gearbox, 300 L fuel tank. Spare parts stocked in Johannesburg, Nairobi, Lagos, and Dar es Salaam.
• HOWO NX 371HP — the NX cab generation brings better visibility and a more comfortable driver environment while keeping the proven WD615.47 drivetrain. Suited for operators upgrading a HOWO-7 fleet without retraining mechanics.
• HOWO TX 440HP — for heavy quarry and mining work. Powered by the MC11.44-50 engine, 12-speed HW25712XSJ gearbox, 400 L fuel tank. Significantly more pulling power for steep gradients and overloaded roads common in Uganda, Zambia, and DRC routes.
• HOWO 6x4 U-Shaped Body — same WD615.47/HW19710 drivetrain as the HOWO-7, with a U-shaped dump body that self-cleans sticky material like wet sand or red laterite soil. Popular in Ghana and Nigeria where sticky loads are common.
• HOHAN 6x4 371HP — SINOTRUK's premium cab range. WD615.47 engine, HW19710 gearbox, 300 L tank. The HOHAN cab is wider and quieter, a preference for owner-operators running longer daily distances.
• SHACMAN F3000 380HP — Shaanxi Automobile's workhorse. WP10.380E3 engine (380 HP, not 371), FAST gearbox, 300 L tank. Known for a robust front axle and good ground clearance. A popular alternative for buyers who want non-SINOTRUK parts sourcing.

All models run on 12R22.5 tyres. Cargo box dimensions on the HOWO and HOHAN 6x4 units are typically 5.8 × 2.55 × 1.7 m. See model cards below for unit-level specs.

6x4 vs 8x4 — Which Configuration Is Right for You?

Both are popular among our buyers, and the right choice depends on your load, your roads, and your axle-load regulations. Here is a straightforward comparison:

Most operators in Kenya, Ghana, and Uganda start with 6x4 tippers because the shorter wheelbase suits the road network and the lower entry cost lets them build a fleet faster. South African buyers running legal axle-load routes sometimes prefer the 8x4 for its higher payload ceiling. If you are unsure, send us your typical load and route — we will advise honestly.

You can also browse our full dump trucks category for all axle configurations side by side.

Why African and Middle East Buyers Choose Chinese 6x4 Tippers

The switch from Isuzu, Hino, or Fuso to Chinese heavy tippers is largely a total-cost decision. A 6x4 HOWO or SHACMAN costs a fraction of an equivalent European or Japanese unit at the same payload rating, and the parts are available locally in most of our target markets — sometimes cheaper off the shelf in Nairobi than ordering from Japan.

• Parts availability: SINOTRUK (HOWO/HOHAN) parts are stocked by dealers in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Ghana, UAE, and Iraq. SHACMAN has a growing dealer network across the same corridor.
• Fuel tank size: 300–400 L standard tanks reduce refuelling stops on long haul routes in Ethiopia, Zambia, and Iraq where fuel stations are sparse.
• Payload-to-cost ratio: A 20-tonne-capacity 6x4 tipper at roughly half the price of a comparable European truck means faster fleet expansion.
• Rugged chassis: These trucks were designed and evolved for Chinese construction conditions — rough terrain, heavy cyclic loading, marginal road surfaces — which maps well to African and Middle East operating environments.

For South African buyers, our trucks for sale in South Africa page covers import logistics, roadworthiness inspection, and registration guidance specific to SA.

Refurbishment, LHD/RHD Conversion & CIF Export

Every unit we sell goes through a structured pre-export inspection and refurbishment process before it leaves China. We do not ship trucks that failed inspection; we fix them or pull them from the lot.

Inspection points include:

• Engine compression and oil condition check
• Gearbox and differential oil analysis
• Brake system — drums, linings, air lines
• Tyre condition and tread depth on all positions
• Hydraulic tipping system — pump, cylinder, hose integrity
• Cab structure and glass
• Electrical — lights, instruments, wiring harness

LHD/RHD conversion is done in-house. If your country runs right-hand traffic (South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe), we convert to RHD before shipment. Left-hand drive units go to UAE, Iraq, Ghana, Nigeria, and most of West Africa. Conversion is not a bolt-on — we rebuild the steering column, pedal box, and instrument panel to factory standard.

Shipping: We quote CIF to your nominated port — Durban, Mombasa, Lagos, Dar es Salaam, Tema (Ghana), or Jebel Ali. CIF means cost, insurance, and freight to port are included in your price. We provide all export documentation: bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, and origin certificate.

Read our dump truck buying guide for a step-by-step breakdown of the import process, port clearance costs, and what to check before signing a purchase contract.

Buyer Checklist — 6x4 Tipper Truck

Before you commit to a 6x4 dump truck purchase, work through this list. It applies whether you buy from us or any other exporter:

1. Confirm the engine model, not just horsepower. WD615.47 (371 HP), MC11 (440 HP), WP10 (380 HP) are different engines with different parts and service intervals.
2. Check transmission gear count. A 10-speed HW19710 handles most conditions; a 12-speed HW25712XSJ (HOWO TX) is better for steep gradients but costs more to service.
3. Match body volume to your load density. A 16 m³ body loaded with wet sand will overload the truck before the body is full. U-shaped bodies self-discharge better with sticky materials.
4. Verify axle ratings against your country's road regulations. Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania each have different legal axle-load limits.
5. Ask for inspection photos and video — engine running, hydraulic tipping cycle, brakes applied on flat ground.
6. Confirm LHD or RHD requirement before order. Conversion after arrival is expensive.
7. Check parts availability in your city, not just your country. A truck that can only be repaired in Nairobi is not ideal if you operate in Kisumu.

Our team will walk you through each of these points when you request a quote. We ship to over 40 countries and know the import regulations for most of our core markets.